Edgewater

By Jessica Car · Updated July 2026

One square mile, Sloan's Lake frontage, and Denver's most walkable small city

Population: ~5,000
County: Jefferson County
From Downtown: ~4 mi W via Colfax/20th Ave
Median Home: $563K–$620K

Edgewater is one square mile of city, population about 5,000, wrapped around the northwest shore of Sloan's Lake just 4 miles west of downtown Denver. Surrounded entirely by Denver and Lakewood, it is one of Colorado's smallest cities and still runs its own police and fire departments.

The frame for buyers: the metro's most urban small city. Walkable, lake-adjacent, ten minutes from downtown, and priced below the Denver neighborhoods across the water.

What Homes Cost

The median runs $563K to $620K as of 2026 depending on the source, with the lower estimates down about 3.3% year over year. The range is wide for one square mile: condos from around $300K up to renovated homes past $755K. The value case is easy to state, the same Sloan's Lake access and downtown commute as the Denver side, for less.

Community Snapshot

At a Glance

Median Income: $76,591
Cost of Living: Comparable to Denver, housing is the main cost
Sunny Days/yr: ~300 days
Elevation: 5,280 ft
Annual Snow: ~55-60 inches

Parks & Outdoors

Sloan's Lake Park, Denver's 2nd largest park, 177 acres), 2.5-mile loop trail, kayaking, paddleboarding, stunning skyline view

Edgewater Park, small city park with playground and picnic areas

Sloan's Lake bike/walk loop, flat, paved, connects to Denver trail network

Housing Market

Market Snapshot

Updated March 2026

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
Local Realtor & Lender
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Tools

Cost of Living in Edgewater

Estimated monthly cost at the $590,000 median home price and a $500 car payment. Open the calculator to adjust for your situation.

Estimated monthly cost

$4,992 – $5,392/mo

Covers housing, transportation, utilities, and groceries.

See the full breakdown: mortgage at today's rate, property tax at Edgewater's mill levy, utilities at local provider rates, and a gas estimate tuned to the commute distance. Adjust sliders to model your own budget.

Life Here

Lifestyle & Culture

Sloan's Lake Park does the heavy lifting: 177 acres, a 2.5-mile loop, kayaking and paddleboarding against a full skyline view, and Fourth of July fireworks over downtown. The Edgewater Public Market is the community hub, an artisan food hall with local vendors, a weekly summer farmers market, and Barquentine Brewing under one roof, with Joyride Brewing's dog-friendly taproom and the axe-throwing lanes at American Axes close behind.

The calendar runs from the Edgewater Arts Festival to the Sloan's Lake Dragon Boat Festival and Fiestas Patrias. A Target covers errands in town, and King Soopers and Safeway sit five minutes away in Lakewood.

Dining

15+ restaurants

Notable

Edgewater Public Market (artisan food hall, gyros, pho, burgers, enchiladas, community hub)
Joyride Brewing Company (neighborhood taproom, dog-friendly, food trucks)
Barquentine Brewing (Belgian-focused, in Public Market, family-owned)
American Axes (axe-throwing bar)

Breweries

Coffee

Moderate, cafes in Edgewater Public Market and along 20th Ave

Farmers Market

Edgewater Public Market weekly farmers market (June–October, local growers and artisans)

Food Trucks

Regular rotation at Joyride Brewing and Public Market

Arts & Culture

Edgewater Civic Center, community events, city meetings

Events

Edgewater Arts Festival (August, 100+ local artists, workshops, Salsa & Soul music)
Sloan's Lake Dragon Boat Festival (dragon boat races, Asian-American cultural celebration)
July 4th concert and fireworks at Sloan's Lake
Fiestas Patrias (Latino cultural celebration at Sloan's Lake Park)

Museums

No museums in Edgewater, Denver museums 10-15 min away

Public Art

Growing collection along 20th Ave corridor

Pets

Dog Parks

Walker-Branch Park (green space for dogs). Sloan's Lake Park allows leashed dogs with lake access.

Trails

Sloan's Lake 2.5-mile loop (leashed dogs), connects to Denver trail network

Vets

VEG Edgewater (24-hour emergency vet, in Public Market area), Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake

Pet Stores

No dedicated pet stores in Edgewater, PetSmart/Petco in Lakewood (5 min)

Dog-Friendly Patios

Joyride Brewing (dog-friendly taproom), Edgewater Public Market outdoor seating areas welcome dogs

Education

Schools & Childcare

Jefferson County R-1 covers Edgewater with an A-minus rating and the No. 22 spot in Colorado. Edgewater Elementary serves the city itself, students typically zone to Lakewood-area middle and high schools, and D'Evelyn Jr/Sr High is open to all Jeffco residents by application.

District boundaries are complex in Denver. Verify school assignment by address.

A-

Jefferson County School District R-1

#22 in Colorado

Edgewater Elementary (Jeffco)
Students typically zone to Lakewood-area middle and high schools
D'Evelyn Jr/Sr HS available to all Jeffco residents by application

Early Childhood

Daycare Centers: 5–8 in Edgewater/immediate area
Pre-K Availability: Edgewater Elementary preschool (Jeffco). Colorado Universal Preschool available. Tiny Hearts Academy (family-owned, 3 mos–6 yrs).
Avg Monthly Cost: Comparable to Denver metro ($1,500–$2,000/mo full-time)

Summer Camps

Nearby Lakewood/Denver options within 10 min

Getting Around

Commute & Transit

Few metro addresses beat this commute: 10 to 15 minutes off-peak to downtown via Colfax or 20th Avenue, with genuine walkability along both corridors. RTD buses run direct to downtown on Colfax, and the W Line light rail is a 5 to 10 minute drive at the Sheridan or Lakewood/Wadsworth stations. The 2.5-mile Sloan's Lake loop ties straight into the Denver trail network.

Downtown Denver

10–15 min

Rush hour: 20–30 min

Colfax or 20th Ave, one of the shortest commutes in the metro

Golden / Lakewood

15–20 min

US-6 or Colfax west

RTD Bus Routes, Multiple routes along Colfax Ave, direct to downtown Denver

W Line Light Rail, Nearby Sheridan or Lakewood/Wadsworth stations (5-10 min drive)

The Bottom Line

Who Edgewater Fits

Edgewater fits buyers who want lake living and a ten-minute downtown commute in a small, walkable, self-contained package, at a discount to the Denver side of Sloan's Lake.

The trade-offs come with the footprint. One square mile means limited local schools and no library of its own (Jeffco branches are close by), and buyers wanting more room or a marquee campus will gravitate to the larger Jeffco suburbs. For buyers who rank walkability, lake access, and commute time above square footage, Edgewater is the tightest value on the near-west side.

The Practical File

The median property tax bill runs about $2,878 a year, with combined sales tax stacking city, Jefferson County, and state portions. Water comes through the City of Edgewater (purchased from Denver Water), Xcel handles power and gas, Republic Services picks up the trash, and the city runs a composting partnership. At 5,280 feet, the climate matches Denver's, with roughly 300 sunny days.

Updated June 2026

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

Common Questions

FAQ, Edgewater

What are the school ratings in Edgewater?

Edgewater is served by Jefferson County School District R-1, rated A− by Niche and ranked #22 in Colorado. Edgewater Elementary is the local campus. Middle and high school students typically attend Lakewood or Wheat Ridge area schools within Jeffco. D’Evelyn Jr/Sr High School is available to all Jeffco residents by application. District boundaries are complex, verify enrollment eligibility by address.

How long is the commute from Edgewater to Denver?

Edgewater is approximately 4 miles west of downtown Denver via Colfax Avenue or 20th Avenue, one of the shortest commutes in the metro. Off-peak drive time is 10–15 minutes; during rush hour, expect 20–30 minutes. RTD bus routes run along Colfax with direct service to downtown. The W Line light rail is accessible at nearby Sheridan or Lakewood/Wadsworth stations, a 5–10 minute drive.

What is the median home price in Edgewater?

As of 2026, the median home price in Edgewater is approximately $563K–$620K. Zillow reports $563K (down 3.3% year-over-year) while Realtor.com shows a median sale price of $620K. The range spans from $300K condos to $755K+ renovated homes across this one-square-mile city.

What outdoor recreation is available in Edgewater?

Sloan’s Lake Park is Edgewater’s defining outdoor feature, Denver’s second-largest park at 177 acres, with a 2.5-mile loop trail, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The loop trail is flat and paved, connecting to the broader Denver trail network. Edgewater Park provides playground and picnic areas within the city limits.

What is the cost of living in Edgewater?

Edgewater’s cost of living is comparable to Denver, with housing as the main expense. The median annual property tax is approximately $2,878 (Livability). Median household income is $76,591. At $563K–$620K median home value, Edgewater undercuts adjacent Denver neighborhoods while offering similar lake access and commute times.

What dining options are available in Edgewater?

Edgewater packs 15+ restaurants into its one square mile, giving it high dining density for its size. Notable options include: • Edgewater Public Market, artisan food hall with gyros, pho, burgers, enchiladas, and community events • Joyride Brewing Company, neighborhood taproom with a dog-friendly patio and food trucks • Barquentine Brewing, Belgian-focused, in the Public Market The area has 3+ breweries including nearby Odell Sloan’s Lake. The Edgewater Public Market hosts a weekly farmers market from June through October.

What healthcare facilities are near Edgewater?

The nearest hospital is St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, approximately 10 minutes away. Denver Health is roughly 15 minutes east. Multiple hospitals are accessible within a 10–15 minute drive, providing strong proximity to major medical centers for this small city.

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