Edgewater
One square mile, Sloan's Lake frontage, and Denver's most walkable small city
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.
Browse all 8 Edgewater neighborhoods
By Jessica Car · Updated August 2026
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.
- Aug 17recurringMonday Night Movies at Edgewater Public MarketEdgewater Public Market · Outdoor movie screening on the market lawn, part of a weekly series running through early October.
- Aug 22recurringSunset Yoga on the LawnEdgewater Public Market · All-levels yoga session held outdoors on the lawn at sunset.
- Aug 24recurringYarn Around the FireEdgewater Public Market · Outdoor gathering on the market rooftop where yarn crafters work on their own knitting and crochet projects.
- Sep 11recurringSecond Fridays at Edgewater Public MarketEdgewater Public Market · Monthly evening pop-up market featuring local artists and makers alongside the market's permanent vendors.
- Sep 26recurringEdgewater Hometown FestCitizens' Park · Annual outdoor festival with live music, a pie-eating contest, carnival games, food trucks and a laser light show.
At a Glance
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.
Updated August 2026
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
$5,053 – $5,253/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.
Schools & Childcare
Compare schools across every metro community in the Schools & Parks guide.
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.
- 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
- 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)
Commute & Transit
See drive and transit times for the whole metro in the Commute guide.
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.
Get A Market Snapshot
What Homes Cost
Updated August 2026
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.
Resources
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.
Similar Communities
Communities in the same region, same county, or a similar price tier as Edgewater.
- LakewoodWest Metro & Foothills · $557K–$566K
- Wheat RidgeWest Metro & Foothills · ~$615K
- MorrisonWest Metro & Foothills · $710K–$870K
- ConiferWest Metro & Foothills · $735K–$820K
- EvergreenWest Metro & Foothills · $830K–$878K
- Five PointsCentral Denver · $569K–$573K
- WindsorNorthern Colorado · $574K–$648K
- NederlandBoulder Area · $550K–$700K
Common QuestionsFAQ, 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.