Littleton
cityLittleton, Colorado, is a home rule municipality and the county seat of Arapahoe County, situated south of Denver and west of the Denver Tech Center. As part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Metropolitan Statistical Area, Littleton offers a blend of suburban comfort and access to urban amenities. The city is known for its mature trees, numerous trails, the South Platte River, and Chatfield Reservoir, making it a desirable place to live with a population of approximately 44,710 as of 2024. Littleton's economy is diverse, with key industries including professional, scientific, and technical services, healthcare, retail, and construction. Its strategic location provides residents with employment opportunities both within the city and in the wider Denver metropolitan area. Major employers contribute to a stable job market, and the city's economic development team actively supports local businesses. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1859, Littleton has a rich history evident in its charming downtown area with turn-of-the-century buildings. The city was named after Richard Sullivan Little, an engineer who settled in the area and established the Rough and Ready Flour Mill. Today, Littleton offers a high quality of life with numerous parks, cultural attractions, and a strong sense of community.
Littleton, Colorado
- Classification
- Home Rule Municipality
- FIPS Code
- 08-45255
- Country
- United States
- County
- Arapahoe County
- Region
- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Metropolitan Statistical Area
- Elevation
- 5,397 ft
- Total Area
- 13.76 sq mi
- Land Area
- 12.62 sq mi
- Water Area
- 1.13 sq mi
- Latitude
- 39.61333
- Longitude
- -105.01667
- Climate
- Littleton has a semi-arid climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically varies from 23°F to 88°F, with an average of 246 sunny days per year.
- Notable Features
- South Platte River · Chatfield Reservoir · Lee Gulch Trail
- Neighboring Areas
- Englewood · Centennial · Highlands Ranch
- Population (2020)
- 45,652
- Est. Population (2024)
- 44,710
- Median Age
- 40.8
- Median Income
- $98,839
- Poverty Rate
- 6.13%
- Family Households
- 55.3%
- Owner-Occupied
- 61.2%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 2024, the racial makeup was 80.8% White, 13.3% Hispanic or Latino, 2.1% African American, and 2.6% Asian.
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 7 members
- School District
- Littleton Public Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library










- Economic Profile
- Residential/suburban · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services · Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade
- Major Employers
- Centura Health · Lockheed Martin · Arapahoe Community College
- Schools
- 19
- Students
- 12,904
- School Districts
- Littleton Public Schools
- Colleges & Universities
- Arapahoe Community College · Denver Seminary
- Transportation
- Interstate access · Light Rail · Bus service · Bike trails
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Power · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Hospitals · Denver Water
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Chatfield State Park · South Platte River · Hudson Gardens
- Parks & Trails
- South Suburban Parks and Recreation · High Line Canal Trail · Lee Gulch Trail
- Founded
- 1859
- Incorporated
- 1890
- Named After
- Richard Sullivan Little
- Historical Significance
- Littleton played a key role in the early development of the Denver area, serving as an agricultural and commercial hub. It later diversified into manufacturing and aerospace.
- Key Events
- Pike's Peak Gold Rush (1859) · Establishment of Rough and Ready Flour Mill (1867) · Incorporation as Town of Littleton (1890) · Arapahoe County Seat (1904)
