Parker

DTC/tech workers & "hometown feel" active lifestyle

Population
~65,000
County
Douglas County
From Downtown
~25 mi SE via I-25/E-470
Median Home
$655K–$710K

Median home prices in Parker run $655K–$710K as of 2026, sitting slightly above Castle Rock but offering a decisive advantage: a 15–25 minute off-peak commute to the Denver Tech Center, the shortest DTC drive in Douglas County. The town is served by Douglas County RE-1, rated A− by Niche and ranked #5 in Colorado, with Chaparral and Legend high schools consistently placing in the state's top 20. Parker Mainstreet gives the city a genuine walkable core — rare for a suburb of 65,000 — and Cherry Creek State Park's 4,200 acres and Rueter-Hess Reservoir sit minutes away.

Community Snapshot

At a Glance

Cost of Living
143.6
Walk Score21
Bike Score36
Transit Score5
TrailsExcellent — 100+ miles of in-town trails connecting neighborhoods
Parks & Outdoors
Cherry Creek State Park — 4,000 acres, beach, marina
Rueter-Hess Reservoir — 1,100 surface acres
Salisbury Equestrian Park
Parker trails network — 100+ miles
Housing Market

Market Snapshot

Year-over-Year
Days on Market
HOA Prevalence
Typical HOA Fee
Sale to List Price
Inventory
Months Supply
Sales Volume
3-Mo Trend
Jessica Car, licensed Realtor and lender
Jessica Car
Local Realtor & Lender
Talk To A Local Pro
Life Here

Lifestyle & Culture

Dining

100+ restaurants
Notable
  • Parker Garage (modern American, dog-friendly patio)
  • Portofino Pizza & Pasta (Italian, Mainstreet)
  • The Original Pancake House
  • Hickory House Ribs
Breweries
4+
Coffee
Moderate — Fika Coffee House, Ziggi's, Dazbog
Farmers Market
Parker Farmers Market (Sun, summer)
Food Trucks
Food trucks at community events and Discovery Park

Arts & Culture

PACE Center — 542-seat theater, art gallery, culinary teaching kitchen, outdoor amphitheater
Events
  • Parker Days (June — town's biggest festival)
  • Christmas Carriage Parade
  • Parker Arts Brass Festival
  • Concerts in the Park (summer)
Museums
Theater
Parker Arts at PACE Center — 6+ productions/year
Public Art
Public art installations throughout downtown Mainstreet corridor

Pets

Dog Parks
3+ off-leash parks — USMC CPL David M. Sonka Dog Park (5 acres, agility course), Bayou Gulch Regional Park (fenced dog area), Parker Dog Park
Trails
Extensive — Cherry Creek, Sulphur Gulch, Newlin Gulch trails allow leashed dogs
Vets
5+ clinics — Parker Center Animal Clinic, Paws & Claws, Lone Tree Veterinary (nearby)
Pet Stores
PetSmart, Petco, Hollywood Feed
Dog-Friendly Patios
Many Mainstreet restaurants offer dog-friendly outdoor dining
Education

Schools & Childcare

A−
Douglas County RE-1
#5 in Colorado
  • Chaparral HS
  • Legend HS
  • Parker-area schools consistently rank in top 20 CO
  • ~$155K–$181K median household income
Early Childhood
Daycare Centers
55+ centers, 63 total providers
Pre-K Availability
Colorado Universal Preschool available; Douglas County RE-1 programs
Avg Monthly Cost
$1,200–$1,600
Summer Camps
Town of Parker rec camps, YMCA, private options
Getting Around

Commute & Transit

Downtown Denver
30–45 min
DTC
15–25 min
Key advantage
No direct light rail — Drive to Lincoln Station

Communities in the same region, same county, or a similar price tier as Parker.

Common Questions

FAQ — Parker

What are the school ratings in Parker?

Parker is served by Douglas County RE-1, rated A− by Niche and ranked #5 in Colorado. Chaparral HS offers strong college prep and Legend HS has a 97% graduation rate. Parker-area schools consistently rank in the top 20 statewide. The median household income in the district is approximately $155K–$181K. Note: district boundaries are complex in Douglas County — verify enrollment eligibility by address.

How long is the commute from Parker to Denver?

Parker is approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Denver via I-25 and E-470. The off-peak commute to downtown is 30–45 minutes. The commute to the Denver Tech Center (DTC) is a key advantage at just 15–25 minutes. Parker has no direct light rail service — the nearest station is Lincoln Station, requiring a short drive.

What is the median home price in Parker?

As of 2026, the median home price in Parker is approximately $655K–$710K, with Zillow reporting around $706K. Parker’s pricing reflects its Douglas County location, strong schools, and proximity to the DTC employment corridor.

What outdoor recreation is available in Parker?

Cherry Creek State Park offers 4,227 acres with 35 miles of trails, reservoir boating, and fishing. Rueter-Hess Reservoir provides 1,100 surface acres for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Salisbury Equestrian Park caters to horseback riding. Parker’s in-town trail network spans 60+ miles connecting neighborhoods, with Discovery Park in downtown offering a seasonal ice trail.

What are the crime statistics in Parker?

Parker’s violent crime rate is 2.7 per 1,000 residents and the property crime rate is 29.5 per 1,000, per NeighborhoodScout and FBI UCR data. The overall crime trend is declining, with a roughly 13% decrease from 2023 to 2024.

What is the cost of living in Parker?

Parker’s cost of living index is approximately 143.6 (national average = 100), or about 44% above the national average. The effective property tax rate is roughly 0.64% (Douglas County). Sales tax ranges from 7.0% to 8.0% depending on special districts. Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax.

What dining and shopping options are in Parker?

Parker has 100+ restaurants and a growing scene along the Mainstreet corridor. Highlights: • Parker Garage — modern American with a dog-friendly patio • Portofino Pizza & Pasta — Italian on Mainstreet • Hickory House Ribs — local barbecue • Purgatory Handcraft, Blue Spruce Brewing, and Burns Family Artisan Ales breweries • Parker Farmers Market (Sundays, summer) • PACE Center — 542-seat theater with performances and culinary events

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