Our Work

Trends

Welcome to Trends, the foundation’s flagship resource on social indicators

About Trends

Guiding equity through data-driven approaches

Trends provides community data to residents, organizations, and civic leaders in order to engage minds, inform decisions, and inspire action. Explore indicators on housing, income and economics, education, arts and culture, environment and sustainability, health and wellness, and more.

Boulder County Population

%

Change in Population from 2010–2020

Median Household Income

%

Households Below Poverty Level

Who are we?

When we picture our Boulder County community, we may have a good idea of who we are, but what are we missing? What assumptions are we leaning on a little too heavily? And are there areas we can learn more about? 
 
Boulder County and Colorado are growing more than the national average. A few mountain communities have lost population, but cities throughout our county have grown, particularly the east side of the county.

Housing

Housing has a significant impact on the experience of individuals and families in Boulder County. While increasing home values provides economic capital for some people in our community, the high cost of home values and rental costs has a major impact on the ability for people to continue residing in the community particularly when compiled with the increasing costs of other aspects of daily life such as food, transportation, and child care.

Income and Economics

Boulder County median household income is higher than the median household income in Colorado and the United States.

Having enough money to support yourself and your loved ones is crucial for a sense of security and well-being. When looking at the data on median household income, Boulder County stands out with a higher median income compared to Colorado and the United States. However, with the rising costs of living throughout the county, many families are increasingly finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Education

Boulder County educational systems include two local school districts, Boulder Valley School District and St. Vrain Valley School District which serve over 60,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students, along with local higher education institutions, Front Range Community College and the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Health and Wellness

Health and wellness are important aspects of daily life that impact quality of life, longevity, and ability to perform daily activities. Maintaining good health through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and mental well-being practices helps prevent chronic diseases, boosts mood, and enhances energy levels. Wellness is not just the absence of illness but a holistic approach to leading a fulfilling life that includes mental, emotional, and physical aspects. Prioritizing health and wellness can reduce healthcare costs, improve productivity, and foster resilience against stress and life challenges, contributing to a happier and more balanced life.

Arts and Culture

Arts and culture organizations support a healthy and vibrant community. Through these organizations, community members are able to contribute to art, share culture, inspire and support community connections. 

Civic Engagement

Civic engagement contributes to a vibrant community. Civic engagement refers to the participation of individuals in activities that contribute to the governance of their communities. This includes involvement in voting and advocacy, as well as community service and participation in public discussions on social and political issues. Civic engagement encompasses actions that promote the well-being and governance of the community or society as a whole. It highlights the role of citizens in shaping their environments and encourages active participation for positive societal change.

Environment and Sustainability

Boulder County is often considered an environmental leader in open space protection, connected bike networks, and an innovator on mass transit incentives, recycling, regenerative agriculture practices and education. Yet, challenges continue particularly in this time of unprecedented population growth and a changing climate.

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11.25.24

A Public Affair on KGNU: Trends, the Importance of Local Data, and the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County

This month on A Public Affair, Jim Williams is joined in the studio by Community Foundation Boulder County Vice President of Programs, Sarah Harrison, and Executive Director of the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, Kaycee Headrick. They talk about the importance of data and how local nonprofits can use data to inform their work. […]

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10.24.24

Community Foundation Boulder County launches updated Trends platform to inform decisions, inspire action

The dynamic and interactive online resource offers up-to-date Boulder County community data to local leaders, nonprofits and community members View a downloadable press release HERE. BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 23, 2024 – Community Foundation Boulder County, today announced the release of its updated Trends platform, a resource providing data on key social indicators affecting Boulder County. […]

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09.30.24

Trends

We are thrilled to relaunch Trends! Discover more about our new online platform and see why community members, nonprofits, and policymakers are eager to explore the latest version of our flagship social indicators tool.

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03.31.21

New book series: TRENDS Dialogues

Join us May 13 to discuss Evicted with EFAA’s Julie Van Domelen.

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03.30.21

Underhoused project seeks to define local “housing health”

“As someone on the lower end of the economic spectrum, I know just how few choices you can have when you’re trying to rent in a town as expensive as Boulder. That got me curious about what tradeoffs folks are making to try and live in Boulder County.”

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