Imagine waking up to golden light on the mesas, sipping coffee on a larger-than-typical backyard patio, then hopping on I‑70 for the office or the mountains. If you want foothills energy without giving up city access, Applewood belongs on your short list. You get space, views, and quick trailheads while staying roughly 10 miles from downtown Denver. In this guide, you’ll learn how Applewood is defined, what homes and lots look like, what buyers pay, and how daily life stacks up against central Denver. Let’s dive in.
Where Applewood sits and how it works
Applewood is a locally used neighborhood name for a foothill-facing area on Denver’s west side that spans unincorporated Jefferson County and edges of Golden, Wheat Ridge, and Lakewood. The formal Applewood census‑designated place counted 7,833 residents in 2020 and is served by the Golden 80401 post office. You can confirm that population detail through the Census QuickFacts page for Applewood, Colorado.
Because “Applewood” describes both formal and informal boundaries, you will see a mix of municipal services, school options, and mailing addresses in listings. Some blocks sit in unincorporated Jefferson County, others within nearby cities. When you evaluate a property, verify the exact street and ZIP to understand which school assignments, permitting rules, and tax authorities apply. For a broad overview of the area’s footprint and history, see the Applewood page on Wikipedia.
U.S. Census QuickFacts for Applewood
Applewood overview on Wikipedia
Homes and lots: mid‑century bones, room to grow
Much of Applewood was built during the post‑World War II suburban expansion. You will find mid‑century ranch and split‑level homes across older subdivisions, plus pockets of mid‑century modern and ranchette‑style properties in Applewood West near the foothills. Many original lots are larger than what you see closer to downtown, and recent years have brought a steady cadence of renovations and custom infill builds.
Lot sizes commonly fall around a quarter to a half acre in older sections, with some parcels much larger. That extra elbow room drives demand from buyers who want gardens, outdoor kitchens, RV parking, or space for a studio or addition. If you gravitate to privacy and yard potential, this is a defining Applewood advantage.
What homes cost today
Prices vary widely based on lot size, condition, views, and exact location. As a reference point, DataUSA reported a 2023 median property value for Applewood around $725,300. In practice, recent industry snapshots have placed parts of the broader Applewood footprint, including Applewood West near Golden, in the roughly one‑million‑dollar median range, with renovated or newly built homes climbing well higher.
- Expect a full spectrum: attached homes and smaller ranches toward the lower end, established mid‑century single‑family homes in the middle, and custom or new‑construction on large, view lots at the top.
- Applewood West, often associated with Golden and South Table Mountain proximity, tends to command a premium.
Use current MLS data for precise numbers at the time you shop or sell. If you want a live read on active, pending, and recent comps in your micro‑pocket, reach out for a private market brief.
DataUSA profile for Applewood, CO
Everyday life: trails, golf, and easy errands
Outdoor access is a signature Applewood perk. South Table Mountain Park sits right next door, offering miles of trails, mesa‑top views, and seasonal wildlife protections that guide closures and use. If you value weekday trail runs or quick hikes at sunrise, this proximity is a major lifestyle win.
South Table Mountain Park details and maps
Applewood Golf Course is preserved as park and recreation land under the Prospect Recreation & Park District, which also operates neighborhood parks like Maple Grove Park and Tanglewood Sports Park. These amenities lock in open space and create a stable greenbelt feel.
Prospect Recreation & Park District: Applewood Golf Course
For daily errands, Applewood Village and retail along the Youngfield and 32nd corridor cover groceries, coffee, and services. You are a short drive to larger destinations like Colorado Mills and Lakewood’s Belmar. The blend is convenient without feeling urban.
Commute and mountain access
Applewood residents often commute to central Denver or nearby tech and office parks. DataUSA places the average commute in the mid‑20‑minute range, depending on traffic and job location. The area is more car‑oriented than walk‑oriented, though RTD rail lines are within a few miles for those who want transit options.
The other edge to Applewood’s location is mountain access. With quick connections to I‑70 and state highways like SH‑58, weekend trips to ski resorts or foothill towns are simpler than from many central neighborhoods.
Average commute data for Applewood
I‑70 corridor guide for Jefferson County
Schools and essential services
Applewood lies within Jeffco Public Schools. School assignments vary by exact address, and choice enrollment can expand options. Neighborhood schools commonly referenced include Maple Grove Elementary and the Manning School of Academics & Arts for middle grades, with Golden High School or Wheat Ridge High serving many addresses. Always confirm assignments by property.
Maple Grove Elementary overview
For health care, you are close to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood and Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, as well as urgent care and outpatient clinics in nearby retail areas.
St. Anthony Hospital information
Applewood vs. central Denver: the tradeoffs
- Space and privacy: Applewood typically offers larger lots and quieter streets. Central neighborhoods like Washington Park, Baker, or Capitol Hill are denser with smaller yards and more attached housing.
- Walkability: Central Denver scores higher on walkability and nightlife. Applewood trades that for yard space, views, and direct foothill access.
- Views and trails: Applewood’s east‑flank foothill position delivers daily mesa and mountain views, plus trailheads minutes from home. That is harder to replicate in the urban core.
To compare walkability, you can review Washington Park’s walk score as a proxy for central‑city convenience.
Washington Park walkability snapshot
South Table Mountain Park for trail access
Who Applewood fits
If you want breathing room, outdoor time baked into routine, and a foothills backdrop, Applewood aligns well. Buyers who value larger lots, privacy, and views over walk‑out‑the‑door dining often feel right at home here. If you are moving from a central neighborhood, expect a lifestyle shift toward car‑convenience and weekend trails rather than late‑night restaurants within a few blocks.
Buyer tips for Applewood
- Confirm boundaries: Clarify whether the home is in unincorporated Jefferson County or within Golden, Lakewood, or Wheat Ridge. This affects taxes, utilities, and permitting.
- Inspect outdoor systems: Larger lots often mean irrigation, mature trees, and longer driveways. Review maintenance needs and snow‑clearance plans.
- Factor trail and wildlife seasons: South Table Mountain has seasonal wildlife protections that guide access. If trail use is a priority, learn the calendar.
- Validate schools by address: Check current assignments and understand choice enrollment timelines if that matters to you.
- Get view and wind context: View corridors add value. If you plan outdoor living areas, ask about seasonal winds around the mesa.
Seller tips for Applewood
- Lead with land: Highlight lot size, usable yard, and outdoor living zones. Provide current irrigation and landscaping details.
- Tell the renovation story: If you updated systems or preserved mid‑century character, document it clearly for buyers.
- Lean into foothill living: Note proximity to South Table Mountain, parks, and I‑70. Lifestyle detail helps buyers connect the dots.
- Prep for appraisal: Provide recent, like‑for‑like comps. Applewood’s mix of eras and lot sizes means appraisers need clear anchors.
A quick market example
To see how design, lot, and location combine in the premium tier, review a recent Applewood West example like a Foothill Road residence in Golden. It illustrates how renovated mid‑century properties or newer custom builds on view lots reach seven figures.
Example: Foothill Road residence in Golden
Next steps
Applewood offers a rare blend of foothills comfort near the city. If you want a current micro‑market read, off‑market opportunities, or a strategy for timing your move, connect with Crowell Realty for a private consultation.
FAQs
What and where is Applewood in Colorado?
- Applewood is a foothill‑facing area on Denver’s west side that includes an unincorporated Jefferson County census‑designated place served by the Golden 80401 post office, with nearby blocks in Golden, Wheat Ridge, and Lakewood.
How long is the commute from Applewood to Denver?
- Data indicates average commutes in the mid‑20‑minute range under typical conditions, with I‑70 and SH‑58 providing direct routes to central employment hubs.
What types of homes and lots are common in Applewood?
- Expect mid‑century ranch and split‑level homes on larger lots, often around 0.25 to 0.5 acres, plus custom infill and renovated properties, especially in Applewood West.
How much do Applewood homes cost?
- DataUSA shows a 2023 median property value around $725,300, while parts of the area, notably Applewood West, often trade around or above one million dollars depending on lot, condition, and views.
What schools serve Applewood addresses?
- Applewood sits in Jeffco Public Schools. Assignments vary by exact address, with Maple Grove Elementary and the Manning School often referenced locally, and Golden High or Wheat Ridge High common for many addresses.
What outdoor amenities define Applewood living?
- South Table Mountain Park is next door with miles of trails and mesa views, and Applewood Golf Course is preserved as recreation land, anchoring a network of local parks and open space.
