Arapahoe County is the third most populated county in the state of Colorado. It is home to 643,052 residents according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
The county seat is in Littleton, and the largest city is Aurora.
The county was named for the Arapahoe Indian tribe and it is referred to as “Colorado’s First County.”
The area’s origins date back to 1855, just a few years before the Pike’s Peak gold rush of 1858.
The major cities and towns are:
- Aurora (which is also in parts of neighboring Douglas and Adams counties)
- Bennett
- Bow Mar
- Centennial
- Cherry Hills Village
- Columbine Valley
- Deer Trail
- Englewood
- Foxfield
- Glendale
- Greenwood Village
- Littleton
- Sheridan
Arapahoe County History
Arapahoe County was established in August 1885 by the Kansas Territorial Legislature.
Gold was first discovered in the county in July 1858 at the South Platte River in what is now the city of Englewood.
A year later, a smaller Arapahoe county was formed by the Jefferson Territorial Legislature, with Denver serving as the county seat.
Things changed in 1861 when Kansas officially became a state.
The Jefferson Territorial Legislature was never officially sanctioned by the federal government, so Arapahoe County and the surrounding regions reverted back to the unorganized territory.
The territory of Colorado was organized in February 1861 by the US Congress.
The Colorado Territorial Assembly organized the original Colorado counties in November of that same year.
Denver continued to serve as the county seat of Arapahoe County until 1902, some 26 years after Colorado became a state.
Arapahoe County was divided into three parts by the Colorado General Assembly in 1901.
The land that had made up the county was separated into the city and county of Denver, a new county named Adams County and the remaining land, which was renamed as South Arapahoe County.
A Colorado Supreme Court ruling and subsequent legislation delayed this change until 1902.
Colorado governor James Bradley Orman named Littleton as the county seat.
South Arapahoe County was renamed Arapahoe County in 1903.
Littleton remained the county seat until voters chose Englewood to be the new county seat during the 1904 election.
Arapahoe County Homes for Sale
Arapahoe County Demographics
There are 246,702 housing units in the county, as of the 2016 US Census.
The county reported 231,844 households during that year with a median household income of $66,288.
The median home value for Arapahoe County is $379,100. Home values have increased 3% over the last year, and are expected to continue to rise.
The median list price comes in at $239 per square foot. The median price of homes sold in Arapahoe County is $369,900. The median home listing price for the county was $405,000.
Arapahoe County Schools
Arapahoe County is home to eight school districts. Children can attend classes in Aurora, Bennett, Byers, Cherry Creek, Deer Trail, Englewood, Littleton, Sheridan and Strasburg.
The county also offers higher education classes at the Community College of Aurora, the Colorado State University-Global Campus and the Arapahoe Community College.
Arapahoe County Weather
Residents and visitors enjoy generally mild weather all year round.
The average high temperature in July is 87 degrees, and the average low temperature in January is 18 degrees.
Spring seasons are rather mild. The rainiest month is May, averaging 1.17 inches of precipitation.
The county averages 17 inches of rain and 55 inches of snow per year.
Arapahoe County also averages 245 sunny days per year, which is well above the national average of 205 sunny days per year.
Arapahoe County Attractions
Nature lovers can enjoy the Smoky Hill Trail, the Highline Canal National Recreational Trail, the Platte River Greenway National Recreational Trail, and the South Platte Trail.
Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora offers miles of prairies and 880 acre reservoir that’s perfect for fishing, boating or just enjoying a relaxing day.
There are over three dozen animal species including rabbits, raccoons, beavers, muskrats, weasels, coyotes, prairie dogs and deer that call the park home.
Other Local Attractions
The Aurora History Museum
Address: 15051 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012
Pirates Cove Water Park
Address: 1225 W Belleview Ave, Littleton, CO 80120
The Museum of Outdoor Arts
Address: 1000 Englewood Pkwy #-230, Englewood, CO 80110
The Arapahoe County Fair
Address: 25690 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016,
The Littleton Historical Museum
Address: 6028 S Gallup St, Littleton, CO 80120
The Aurora Reservoir
Address: 5800 S. Powhaton Road, Aurora, CO 80016
Centennial Center Park
Address: 13050 E Peakview Ave, Centennial, CO 80111
Carson Nature Center
Address: 3000 W Carson Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Westlands Park
Address: 5701 S Quebec St, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Lollipop Park Amusement Center
Address: 6901 S Peoria St, Centennial, CO 80112,
The Plains Conservation Center
Address: 21901 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013
☎️ Contact Colorado Heart and Soul Homes, LLC
Give Colorado Heart and Soul Homes, LLC a call today at 303-345-3486 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.
