Source: ESRI source: ESRI Population by Age, 21 Census 65-74 7% 55-64 13% 45-54 16% 75-84 5% 85+ 3% - 4 6% 35-44 13% 5-9 6% 1-14 6% 25-34 13% Population by Age, 217 Forecast 65-74 9% 55-64 14% 45-54 14% 75-84 6% 85+ 3% 15-19 6% - 4 6% 5-9 6% 1-14 6% 15-19 5% 35-44 12% 25-34 13% 2-24 6% 2-24 6% The City of Littleton's 212 estimated population is 42,514, making it approximately the 2th largest city in the State of Colorado (out of 271 total cities and towns). Littleton's median age of 42 makes it home to a slightly older demographic than many of its counterpart suburban Denver communities. The average median age for the Denver Metro area is 35.8 years. The 217 population-byage forecast assumes this trend will continue, with the fastest growing segment of the population living in the city to be those 55-84 years of age. No other age categories are forecast to grow, most remaining stable. The only exception is a minor loss of population in the 35-44 and 45-54 age categories (albeit, a very small percentage change totaling 3 percent combined). 5 4 3 2 1 41 41.6 212 Median Age - Select Communities Source: ESRI 37.2 34 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge 42 33.5 32 44.2 35.8 Denver Metro 1
212 Population, Select Cities Source: ESRI Wheat Ridge 3,513 Thornton Northglenn Littleton Golden Englewood 36,73 42,514 19,273 3,814 121,387 Throughout this report, metrics related to the City of Littleton will be compared with those from a few select Denver Metro suburban communities of similar size, age, population characteristics, and ability to grow. Some are larger, some smaller. The variation in size will be accounted for by normalizing the data as much as possible on a per capita basis to attempt to compare communities on a more equal footing. This is not a perfect comparison, but does provides a way to relate what is happening in the City of Littleton in relationship to other Metro Denver communities. Centennial 11,476 Arvada 18,325 2 15 1 12.7 13 21 Percent of Population, Age Distribution - Select Ages & Cities 16.6 16.6 11.8 9.2 9.2 Source: Census 18.8 13.4 13.6 13.6 13.8 11.1 11.3 1.2 14.7 15.3 11.4 5 Littleton Thornton Northglenn Arvada Wheat Ridge Golden Englewood Centennial Denver Metro Percent Age 25-34 Percent age 55-64 2
Littleton's 212 household income is fairly evenly distributed across all income categories with slightly more than half of all households earning $5, or more and over one-quarter of all households earning over $1,. Littleton has a median income of $52,487; an average income of $71,976; and a per capita income of $32,189. Littleton's median income is slightly lower than average for the Denver Metro region. 212 Median Income - Select Cities Source: ESRI $87,614 $62,566 $36,865 $6,217 $52,487 $5,246 $62,622 $44,281 $57,536 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge Denver Metro Littleton's resident workforce totals 17,449, of which, 86 percent leave the City boundaries for employment. Conversely, those employed in Littleton total 28,945, of which, 92 percent must commute into the city for work. 3 25 2 15 211 Littleton Labor Force Residency Source: Census 15,21 26,517 1 5 2,428 Living and Employed in Littleton Living in Littleton, but Employed Outside Employed in Littleton but Living Outside 3
The following chart gives a breakdown of the percentage share of jobs by industry sector in Littleton according to the North American Industry Classification System, which is the standard used by federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy. The largest sector represented is Health Care and Social Assistance, followed by Educational Services, Administration and Support, Public Administration and Retail Trade. These five sectors comprise 59% of Littleton jobs. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting % Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction % Utilities % Accommodation and Food Services 6% Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1% Other Services (excluding Public Administration) 3% Health Care and Social Assistance 13% Public Administration 11% Construction 4% Manufacturing 1% Wholesale Trade 5% Retail Trade 11% Information 9% Transportation and Warehousing 1% Educational Services 12% Administration & Support, Waste Management and Remediation 12% Finance and Insurance 2% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 1% Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 7% Percentage Share of Jobs by NAICS Industry Sector Littleton, 211 4 Management of Companies and Enterprises 1%
Percent of Jobs by Industry Sector, 211 Centennial, Englewood, & Littleton Source: Census/NAICS Public Administration Other Services (excluding Public Administration) Accommodation and Food Services Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Health Care and Social Assistance Educational Services Administration & Support, Waste Management and Remediation Management of Companies and Enterprises Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Real Estate and Rental and Leasing Finance and Insurance Information Transportation and Warehousing Retail Trade Wholesale Trade Manufacturing Construction Utilities 26.8 The chart to the left compares Littleton to its next door neighbors of Englewood and Centennial. Although all three communities have a high number of jobs in the Health Care and Social Assistance classification, readily apparent is the fact that 27% of all of Englewood's jobs are in this column. Englewood also leads in Construction and Manufacturing jobs. Centennial leads the way in Finance and Insurance as well as Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. Littleton has more jobs in the governmental sectors of Public Administration and Educational Services than its neighbors, likely related to its status as the Arapahoe County seat, home to Arapahoe Community College, the City of Littleton and Littleton Public Schools among others. Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 5 1 15 2 25 3 Centennial Englewood Littleton 5
In 211, Littleton offered one and a half jobs for every resident of the city. Although this appears generous, other comparison communities in the metro Denver area host significantly more jobs than does Littleton. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.. 4.8 211 Total Primary Jobs per Capita Source: Census/DOLA 2.1 1.4 1.1 1.5 3.4 6.2 2. Bachelor's degree or advanced degree 42% Littleton Jobs by Worker Educational Attainment, 211 Source: Census Less than high school 7% High school or equivalent, no college 2% Of the individuals employed in Littleton, 73 percent have at least some college or an associate's degree with 42% of all Littleton workers holding at least a bachelor's degree. Some college or associate degree 31% March 213 Unemployment Rate Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 7.2 6.7 7.8 NA 6.3 8.4 7.6 8.7 Littleton residents looking for work appear to have been more successful than their suburban brethren. Littleton enjoys the lowest unemployment rate among the select cities to which it was compared. 6
Age of Littleton residents out-commuting for work, 211 aged 55 or older 22% Total: 15,21 aged 55 or older 2% aged 3 to 54 56% aged 3 to 54 59% aged 29 or younger 22% Age of Littleton residents working in Littleton, 211 Aged 55 or older 29% Total: 2,428 aged 3 to 54 54% aged 29 or younger 17% Age of people commuting to Littleton for work, 211 aged 29 or younger 21% Data Source: Census OTM These charts compare the age and earnings of those residents and nonresidents working in Littleton, commuting to Littleton for work and leaving Littleton for work elsewhere. People appear willing to commute outside of Littleton if it results in a bigger paycheck. The same holds true for workers who choose to commute into Littleton for work. There appears to be a trade off for Littleton residents who work in Littleton; a shorter commute, but associated with smaller earnings. As for commuting and age of worker; there does not appear to be a significant change among age cohorts. The only notable departure from the related data was a slight increase for workers 55 and older who choose to live and work in Littleton. Earnings of Littleton residents out-commuting for work, 211 Total: 15,21 earning more than $3,333 per month 49% earning more than $3,333 per month 43% earning more than $3,333 per month 52% earning $1,251 to $3,333 per month 33% earning $1,251 to $3,333 per month 34% Earnings of workers commuting into Littleton, 211 earning $1,251 to $3,333 per month 32% earning $1,25 per month or less 18% Earnings of Littleton residents working in Littleton, 211 Total: 2,428 earning $1,25 per month or less 23% earning $1,25 per month or less 16% Total: 26,517 Total: 26,517 7
Retail & Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Actual vs. Inflation-adjusted 1997-212 3 25 $23,929,182 2 15 $18,374,84 1 $12,918,216 5 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 212 Actual Inflation-adjusted The City of Littleton, like most cities and towns in Colorado, relies heavily upon sales taxes to support the functions of its municipal government. In 212, the city took in $ 22.3 million in sales tax and $1.6 million in motor vehicle sales tax for a total of $23.9 million; an 85 percent growth over 1997's $12.9 million. But when adjusted for inflation, 212's revenue is similar in buying-power experienced during the years 1999 and 2. From 21 to 212, the city experienced a 14% increase in total sales and use tax (including retail sales, motor vehicle, general and building use taxes), however when adjusted for inflation, the total increase from 21 to 212 was six percent; two percent growth when annualized. 25 City of Littleton Sales & Use Tax Summary 21-12 *212 amounts noted $22,311,776 2 15 1 5 $1,742,133 $1,617,46 $1,16,728 Retail Sales General Use Motor Vehicle Sales Building Use 21 211 212 8
6 Total Retail Sales Tax Collected 21-212, Select Cities 212 amounts shown in Chart, Source: City Finance Depts. 5 $43,915,43 $48,57,382 4 $32,275,693 3 $21,893,273 $22,311,776 2 $11,785,95 $13,97,619 $15,48,179 1 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge 21 Sales Tax 211 Sales Tax 212 Sales Tax When compared to its neighbors and other metro area communities, Littleton's sales tax collection lies near the middle of the pack, with the larger cities of Thornton, Arvada and Centennial leading in collection. When compared on a per capita basis, the city's collection of $525 is well above the average of the comparable cities with an average of $48 in sales tax collected per capita and following only Englewood and Golden. 212 Retail Sales Tax Collected Per Capita, Select Cities Source: City Finance Depts./ESRI Wheat Ridge $57.33 Thornton Northglenn $363.9 $395.9 Littleton $524.81 Golden $611.52 Englewood $71.5 Centennial $318.6 Arvada $45.4 9
8 6 4 2 3 25 2 15 1 5 Littleton Total Grants, 21-212 $14,721 $6,338 $663,776 $459,455 21 211 212 212 Littleton Grants Received by Department $ $26,8 Police Fire Community Development $241,418 Public Works $22,8 $27,716 Parks and Recreation General Government Competitive grant funding is a way for a community to receive recognition for innovative and note-worthy projects and services and leverage local funds or receive additional funding to address identified issues within a community. In the recent recession years, competitive grants have become increasingly difficult to obtain. Still, the City of Littleton has managed to receive on average well over half-of-a-million dollars in grants annually. The bulk of which, about 52 percent, have gone to the Public Works Department to address needed infrastructure improvements and related projects (please note: Parks and Recreation related grants are also administered by Public Works). 35 Littleton Grants by Dept. 21-12 3 25 2 15 1 5 Police Fire Comm. Development Public Works Parks & Rec. General Gov't 21 211 212 1
25 2 15 1 5 $13,381,875 Total Grant Revenue, Select Cities 21 through 212 Source: Municipal Finance Depts. $2,834,114 212 Total Grants Received Select Cities Source: Municipal Finance Dept. $1,591,921 $1,556,521 $1,469,85 $4,82,669 $61,458 $2,272,119 $459,455 $1,723,568 $1,277,183 $6,337,538 $2,285,516 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton $11,489,412 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton When compared against other metro area communities for grant revenue, Littleton does not perform well on a total or per capita basis. In 212, the City of Littleton received a total of $459,455 in grant funding compared to the $1.28 million collected by the City of Northglenn, the $1.47 million collected by the City of Englewood or the close to $2.3 million collected by the City of Thornton. When compared on a per capita basis, Littleton still falls in last place in grant revenues. Littleton generates just $1.81 per capita in grant funding compared to Northglenn's $35.41 and the top performer, the City of Englewood, at $47.68 per capita. $14.7 $15.34 212 Grant Revenue per Capita Select Cities Source: Municipal Finance Depts./ESRI $47.68 $31.67 $1.81 $35.41 $18.83 These numbers may not take into account cooperative projects that may not have occurred had the city not stepped-up with matching funding to move a project forward. Additionally, reporting of grant funding may vary by jurisdiction. The city of Littleton only reports spent grant funds, not the total grant amount awarded. Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton 11
The City of Littleton has 161 centerline miles of streets (centerline accounts only for miles of streets, not additional lanes, which is accounted for in total lane miles). When all lanes are considered, that number more than doubles to 352 total lane miles. Littleton has added five lane miles to its street system in recent years, either through development or take-over of CDOT-owned facilities. When compared with select cities around the metro area, the City of Littleton's street budget is slightly below the average when compared to what other municipalities spend per capita and spend per lane mile. 211 Total Centerline Miles Select Cities Source: CDOT 421 412 121 73 161 12 361 133 892 925 211 Total Lane Miles Select Cities Source: CDOT 255 154 352 23 86 282 18 Total Lane Miles added to Select Cities' Street Systems, 29-1 211 Source: CDOT 5 12 AVERAGE Wheat Ridge Thornton Northglenn Englewood Centennial 211 Street Budget per capita, Select Cities Note: Budget content varies by City Source: City Budgets/DOLA Littleton Golden Arvada $26 $38 $57 $64 $71 $78 $94 $93 $115 211 Total Street Budget per Lane Mile - Select Cities Note: Budget content varies by municipality Source: Municipal Budget/CDOT $9,438 $12,658 $7,74 $11,579 $6,91 $4,156 $5,79 $1,93 $8,53 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge AVERAGE 12
1 8 6 4 2 LFR Total Fire & Emergency Medical Services Response Calls 21-212 source: LFR 21 211 212 # EMS 8273 8623 8563 # Fire 21 212 179 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 LFR Incident Response Summary 21-212 Source: LFR #Fire #EMS #Alarms #Other #Haz Mat 21 21 8273 963 2494 27 211 212 8623 118 2843 238 212 179 8563 17 2918 248 LFR Total Calls In/Out of Jurisdiction, 21-212 Source: LFR 358 1221 Total Calls (in) Total Calls (out) 566 826 1324 12915 Littleton Fire Rescue is a city department, that through agreements with the Highlands Ranch Metro District and the Littleton Fire Protection District, provides emergency response services to approximately 235, people in the counties of Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson. Like most departments nationally, LFR sees the vast majority of its calls related to the provision of emergency medical services. In 212, LFR responded to 8,563 EMS calls, while responding to 179 calls pertaining to fires (98 percent EMS/2 percent fire). When all calls are considered, including responses to alarms, hazardous material situations and other events (non-injury car accidents, downed power lines, assists to police and other governmental agencies as well as public service, among others), LFR responded to a total of 12,915 calls in 212, of which 66 percent were EMS related. LFR has also seen its out-ofjurisdiction calls increase yearover-year. LFR experienced a 46% increase in responses to out-of-jurisdiction events in 212 when compared to 211. From 21 to 212, out-ofjurisdiction calls increased 131 percent. 21 211 212 13
1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.8.6.4.2 1.67 South Metro Uniformed Personnel per 1, population for Select Fire/Rescue Depts. Source: Poudre Fire Authority Annual Report 1.33.91.81.9 West Metro Aurora Thornton Poudre Fire Authority 21 211 212.56 Littleton 1 FRONT RANGE AVERAGE The Poudre Fire Authority, serving the Fort Collins area, annually compiles stats from similar-sized departments along the Front Range. That report was used as a source since LFR is one of the departments that participates in providing data in the annual compilation. Littleton Fire Rescue has the lowest staffing ratio per 1, population served and is close to half of the average for Front Range fire/rescue departments. 4 3 2 1 3.53 212 Number of Fires per 1, population for Select Fire/Rescue Depts. source: Poudre Fire Authority Annual Report 1.81 1.7.71 LFR also responds to the least number of fires per 1, population of any of the comparable Front Range departments. LFR receives less than half of the fire calls that neighboring West Metro and South Metro departments do and almost five-times fewer calls than the Greeley Fire Department. 3 25 2 15 1 5 281.98 212 Operations & Maintenance Budget per Capita for Select Fire/Rescue Depts. Source: Poudre Fire Authority Annual Report 175.48 64.6 Coincidentally, LFR's operations and maintenance budget is also the lowest on a per capita basis in the comparative analysis. Littleton spends $64 dollars per person for operations and maintenance while its neighboring districts, South Metro and West Metro, spend the most: $282 and $175 per capita respectively. 14
Police Officers per 1, Residents, Select Cities, 21 Source: Departments/ESRI 1.5 N/A 2.3 2.2 1.6 1.7 1.3 2.4 The Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) maintains statistics on most Colorado law enforcement agencies. This information, supplemented with population data from ESRI and information provided directly from individual departments was used to compile the related comparative statistics for the Littleton Police Department. The data displayed is from 21, the most current full year available in the CBI Crime in Colorado database. 6 5 4 3 2 1 Total Reported Arrests, Adult/Juvenile, Select Cities 21 Source: CBI/Census Adults Juveniles 411 1121 1438 462 Additionally, arrest statistics are based on the number of individuals arrested by a particular agency. An individual is counted only once each time he/she is arrested and only the highest ranking offense is noted in the data base. The number of Littleton police officers per 1, residents fall within the low to middle-range for the comparable cities. Littleton's total reported arrests also fall within the low to middle of the range for comparable cities with 1,121 adult and 411 juvenile 15
Total Arrests, Select Cities, 21 Source: CBI/Census Wheat Ridge Thornton Northglenn Littleton 1,532 1,81 2,588 5,5 In reviewing arrest data within the comparable communities, Littleton is on the lower end of both total arrests and when compared per 1, population. Golden Englewood Centennial 889 1,385 3,254 The City of Centennial, commonly cited as one of the safest large communities in the state had 1,385 total arrests compared to Littleton's 1,532 in 21. Arvada Wheat Ridge Thornton Northglenn Littleton Golden Englewood Total Arrests per 1, population Select Cities, 21 Source: CBI/Census 37 46 47 6 3,675 1 2 3 4 5 6 72 18 Centennial's population is also over 1, compared to Littleton's population of approximately 42,5, so when compared on a per 1, population basis, Littleton jumps to 37 arrests per thousand to Centennial's 14 per thousand population. At 37 arrests per thousand population, Littleton still rates on the lower end of the arrest spectrum, especially when compared to its neighbor to the north, the City of Englewood, with more than 1 arrests per 1, population. Centennial 14 Arvada 35 2 4 6 8 1 12 16
15 145 14 135 13 125 12 128,686 Littleton Museum Attendance 25-212 144,757 135,767 115 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 212 Bemis Library Circulation and Patron Visits 21-212 Source: City of Littleton 519,755 548,97 547,987 3,656 296,641 299,16 Littleton maintains a unique community amenity in the Littleton Museum. The 32, square-foot main building hosts exhibits, lectures, and educational opportunities, and opens onto the 39-acre grounds that house two living-history farms, Ketring Lake and other amenities. 18.89 21 211 212 Circulation Patron Visits Circulation per Capita, Select Libraries, 212 Source: LRS.org 2.84 15.38 27.23 6.65 12.66 13.59 14.42 1.86 Since the museum's main building renovation, attendance has been on an upward trend, peaking at a record attendance year in 21 with close to 145, visitors. In 212, the facility hosted close to 136, visitors. Across the street from the museum is the Bemis Library, owned and operated by the City of Littleton; unique in that most area libraries are part of a library district rather than a stand alone facility operated by a municipality. In 21 and 212, Hennen s American Public Library Ratings ranked Bemis Library as the #1 Colorado public library in its population category. 17
.95 Library Staff per 1, served Select Libraries, 212 Source: LRS.org.72.74.51.67.37.49.52.17 When compared to libraries in the region, its per capita circulation is about the middle of the pack with the equivalent of 12.66 resources lent annually to every person in the City of Littleton. 89.52 Total Expenditures per capita Select Libraries, 212 Source: LRS.org 12.31 54.78 59.91 4.9 49.73 44.19 Program Attendance per 1, Served Select Libraries, 212 Source: LRS.org 34.33 35.37 Both library staff per 1, served and total expenditures per capita, like circulation per capita, also land in the middle of comparable library/library systems. However, program attendance per 1, served is notably tops among those library/library systems against which it was compared. According to statistics from the Colorado State Library s Library Research Service in 212, out of 115 public libraries in Colorado, Bemis ranks #9 in adult program attendance; #5 in teen program attendance; #18 in children s program attendance; and #12 in total program attendance 884.41 684.51 683.63 52.78 482.59 276.92 275.95 348.94 113.7 18
Owner/Renter Occupied Housing Units, Littleton 199-211 Source: Census/ACS Owner-occupied 8,393 1,75 Renter-occupied 11,398 5,476 6,563 6,666 199 2 211 Percent Owner/Renter Occupied Housing Units, 199-211 Source: Census/ACS % Owner-occupied % Renter-occupied 39% 38% 37% 61% 62% 63% In 211, Littleton was home to more than 18, occupied housing units consisting of single family attached and detached homes, condos, manufactured homes and apartments. Of those units, 63 percent were owner-occupied and 37 percent were renter-occupied. This ratio has not changed significantly in over 2 years, varying by only a few percentage points. Since 199, single family construction peaked in 1996 with 321 units. Multifamily construction has varied greatly from year to year with the most units in the last 2 years brought into the market in 1999 with 679 built in that year alone. Since 199, the percentage of owneroccupied units in Littleton has grown at a total rate of 36 percent, compared to the number of renter-occupied units with growth of 22 percent over the same time frame. 199 2 211 8 7 Total New Units by Type, Littleton 199-212 Source: Home Builders Assoc. of Metro Denver 679 6 5 4 3 321 2 1 139 199 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 212 Single-Family Detached Single-Family Attached Multi-Family 19
Year Structure Built Littleton, Percentage of Units Source: Census/ACS 211 Owner Occupied Renter Occupied 3.9 35.7 19.5 13.8 21.4 18.3 17.8 14.5 1.6 12.4 2.9 2.2 1939 or earlier 194 to 1959 196 to 1979 198 to 1989 199 to 1999 2 or later Percent Growth in the Number of Owner/Renter Occupied Housing Units, Littleton 199-211 Source: Census/ACS 36% Owner-occupied 22% Renter-occupied For the most part, the age of construction when comparing owner-occupied and renter-occupied units follows essentially the same trend lines with over a third of all housing units currently in the city constructed between 196 to 1979. A common question related to renter-occupied units is the number of vehicles associated with each unit. According to recent Census data, 75 percent of renter occupied units have either no vehicle or one vehicle available to them. The remaining 25 percent have two or more vehicles. Slightly less than half of all owneroccupied units have two vehicles with the remaining half evenly split between having a single vehicle or three or more vehicles available to them. Percentage of Housing Units with Available Vehicles in Littleton, 211 Source: Census/ACS 211 Owner Occupied 6 Renter Occupied 45 1.9 15.2 26.5 19.8 26.2 5 No vehicle available 1 vehicle available 2 vehicles available 3 or more vehicles available 2
35, 3, 25, 2, 31,384 31,499 Renter/Owner Occupied Housing Units Select Cities, 211 Source: Census/ACS 211 28,669 15, 1, 5, 1,83 5,8 7,395 7,1 4,624 3,154 6,666 11,398 7,334 5,637 1,913 7,861 5,986 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge Renter-occupied housing units Owner-occupied housing units The ratio between owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing units varies dramatically throughout the Denver metro area. Englewood has a majority of its housing units, 51 percent, renter-occupied. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Centennial, with 84 percent of the housing units owner-occupied. Littleton's ratio is 37 percent renter-occupied and 63 percent owner-occupied. When looking at the value of owner-occupied housing units, in 211, Littleton had the third highest median property value among the comparable cities at $266,2, behind only Centennial ($289,3), and Golden ($325,4). More information on value will be discussed in the following Real Estate section. 211 Median Value of Owner-Occupied Units Source: Census $325,4 $289,3 $239,7 $214,7 $266,2 $191,2 $212,1 $235,7 $246,2 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge Denver Metro 21
In recent years, Littleton has attracted the attention of developers of multifamily for-rent housing and to better understand the market, the city commissioned an overview of the Littleton housing market. From that study it was learned that Littleton has been and remains an attractive place for the development of multifamily, bolstered by Littleton's position within the region, amenities, and the location of two light rail stations within the community. Average rents in Littleton in 212 were more than $1, and vacancy rates for rental units have remained low and are consistently lower than the metro-wide average. According to the second quarter 213 Denver Metro Apartment Vacancy & Rent Survey released by the Denver Metro Apartment Association, Littleton has one of the lowest rental vacancy rates in the entire metro area at just 2.4 percent compared to the Denver Metro average of 4.2 percent. The average rent during the same quarter across all types of units was $1,29, in-line with the metro average of $1,22, but higher than the averages seen in Englewood/Sheridan ($979), Wheat Ridge ($768) and Arapahoe County ($979). The submarket of South Arapahoe County, including the areas west of I-25 to Littleton (including Centennial, Greenwood Village, among others) posts an average rent of $1,211. Rental Vacancy Rates, Second Quarter 27, 212, 213 Source: Denver Metro Apartment Vacancy & Rent Survey 2nd Quarter 213 12.% 2nd Quarter 27 2nd Quarter 212 2nd Quarter 213 1.4% 1.% 8.% 8.% 6.% 6.6% 5.6% 6.6% 6.9% 6.2% 4.% 3.8% 4.9% 4.7% 3.6% 3.2% 4.2% 2.4% 2.%.% 22
Littleton's real estate market has the third highest average sale price among the comparable cities, potentially driven by limited inventory..15 211 Total Sales as a Percentage of Total Housing Units Source: Metrolist/Census 1.36% In 211, Littleton had the lowest turnover rate among comparable cities concerning the percentage of housing units changing hands, at.59 percent..1.5.95% 1.2%.78%.59%.75% 1.1%.77% In 212, Littleton's existing single family price per square foot was $16, compared to the metro average of $168 (according to CO Comps). Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge As of July 1, 213, Littleton had the fewest real estate transaction close among the 5 4 3 2 1 $279,71 212 Residential Average Sale Price - Select Cities Source: Metrolist $424,2 $242,726 $245,12 $338,178 $172,493 $243,336 $275,524 $312,642 $34,178 Arvada Golden Wheat Ridge Englewood Centennial Northglenn Thornton Lakewood Littleton Denver Metro Average 6 5 4 488 498 483 419 Housing Sales 21, 211, 212, and 213 (6 mos.) Select Cities Source: Metrolist 392 458 496 456 431 3 286 251 256 2 1 164 17 155 138 15 143 121 115 98 16 114 16 9 72 54 66 121 113 127 63 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Northglenn Thornton Wheat Ridge 21 211 212 213 (6mos) 23
Residential Total Permits, 212 Source: City Building Depts. Wheat Ridge Littleton 1,122 2,14 Littleton saw more than 2,1 permits pulled for residential construction and renovation in 212 with a total value of all of the work estimated at $25.9 million, significantly more than other comparable communities. Golden Englewood 32 755 When compared on a per capita basis, Littleton still led with $69 per capita invested or reinvested into its housing stock. Residential Permits Valuation, 212 Source: City Building Depts. When the value of all of the projects are spread across all housing units in each city, Littleton continues to lead at $1,34 Wheat Ridge 1,454,156 Littleton 25,885,25 Golden 7,424,811 Englewood 4,969,164 212 Residential Permit Value per Housing Unit & Per Capita Source: City Building Depts./ESRI Wheat Ridge Value per housing unit $343 $712 Value per capita Littleton $69 $1,34 Golden $385 $881 Englewood $161 $321 24
$13,147,843 212 Value of NEW Residential Building Permits Source: Census $34,223,45 $33, $675, $2,676,167 $16,681,133 $393,999 When all commercial and residential construction activity is added together for the last five years, not surprisingly, the larger communities of Thornton and Arvada led. However, when adjusted to per capita activity, Golden and Wheat Ridge show the most investment per capita. In both situations, Littleton is third for total and per capita building activity/investment. Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Thornton Wheat Ridge Total 5-Year Value of all Residential & Commercial Building Activity, 28-12 Source: City Building Depts. Wheat Ridge $24,95,991 Thornton $669,762,866 Littleton Golden $213,327,248 $29,959,715 Englewood $19,73,579 Arvada $693,85,964 Wheat Ridge Thornton Littleton Total 5-Year Value Per Capita of all Residential & Commercial Building Activity, 28-12 Source: City Bldg. Depts./ESRI 212 $5,518 $6,844 $7,869 Golden $11,69 Englewood $3,54 Arvada $6,398 25
45 4 35 3 25 2 15 396 268 189188 New Residential Construction Permits 21-213 Total Buildings Source: Census 221 25 315 199 21 Buildings 211 Buildings 212 Buildings 213 Buildings (6mos) 1 5 34 3129 14 7 33 18 7 13 2 7 2 3 3 7 2 2 1 1 1 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Thornton Wheat Ridge 6 5 4 549 417 34 New Residential Construction Permits 21-213 Total Housing Units Source: Census 527 21 Units 211 Units 3 2 19 268 281 26 26 199 212 Units 1 34 29 14 7 7 88 63 33 2 7 2 3 3 7 2 2 1 1 Arvada Centennial Englewood Golden Littleton Thornton Wheat Ridge 213 Units (6mos) 26
9 88 86 84 82 8 78 76 Percentage of Resident Students Attending Littleton Public Schools, Total District Enrollment, Select Years Source: LPS 212 Update Report 87.6 87.1 83.1 1999 22 25 28 211 Percent Change 21-211 in K-12 Enrollment in Select Districts & Statewide Source: LPS 212 Report 82 66% 81 Littleton Public Schools are consistently rated as one of the best performing districts in the state. According to LPS's 212 annual report, "LPS continues to be the only school district in the Denver metro area to be named, 'Accredited with Distinction', the state s highest academic rating. Only 1 percent of Colorado s school districts earn this distinction. LPS has earned it three times in three years." Because of the high performance achieved by students in the district, LPS is attractive from an open enrollment standpoint and draws students from throughout the metro area to attend its schools in Littleton and Centennial. The district's non-resident student enrollment grew close to seven percent from 1999-211. This occurred while total LPS enrollment dropped eight percent from 21-211. 18% 11% Englewood Sheridan Littleton Jefferson Denver Cherry -4% Creek -8% -2% -34% 24% 14% Aurora Douglas Statewide It is theorized that in-district enrollment may be declining due to a number of factors, including an aging population, little turnover in housing and housing affordability for young families, among other factors. 27