Discover why Castle Rock appeals to young families and empty nesters alike

Douglas County’s seat is nationally recognized as one of Colorado’s safest and healthiest cities.

Janell Arant with West+Main, who has lived in Douglas County for 17 years, including three in Castle Rock, says the town is one of her favorite places to live.

“The terrain is stunning with the rolling hills and rock formations,” she says.

The community also is ideally located.

“It’s a great place for commuters,” Arant says. “It’s not as far as people think. It’s 30 minutes to downtown Denver and 30 minutes to Colorado Springs.”

Although Castle Rock is among Colorado’s wealthiest cities, it has pockets of affordability, Arant says.

The community offers a variety of restaurants and shopping, and mom-and-pop stores, including antique shops, boutiques, and flower and candy shops, fill historic downtown Castle Rock. It’s also known for its community events like weekend farmers’ markets and a star-lighting ceremony before Thanksgiving that kicks off the holiday season.

“It’s the perfect, big town-small town,” says Inger Hiller, an 8z Real Estate agent who lives in Castle Rock and does 90 percent of her business in the community.

“It’s got a small-town vibe with a great downtown with a Main Street that’s filled with old-time charm.”

Castle Rock’s parks and trail system offer recreational opportunities — the town’s also home to the Arapahoe Community College Sturm Collaboration Campus and Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

“We have it all, and it still feels like a small town even though we’re growing,” Arant says.

What’s available?

Castle Rock’s primarily filled with single-family homes with an $869,950 median sales price.

The community is growing rapidly with new projects, including The Dawson Trails development, which will include 800 housing units and 3.2 million square feet of retail, industrial, and office space. Nearby Remuda Ranch, a development consisting of 90 luxury homes ranging in price from $1.4 to $3 million, is located about 15 miles southwest of Castle Rock.

Hiller hopes to see the community develop more paired homes, townhomes, and condos.

Who’s moving in?

Castle Rock tends to draw young families, and its various accolades, including landing on best-of lists, make it appeal to out-of-state homebuyers.

“People see it as a safe place to raise their families,” Arant says.

Hiller says Castle Rock also appeals to empty nesters who relocate to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

“We’re also just starting to see a influx of young, single professionals,” she says.

The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.