Highlands Ranch is an unincorporated city, and is part of Denver county and a suburb of Denver. It is 22,000 acre master-planned community that has seen explosive growth in recent years as it is convenient for commuters throughout Denver and the Denver Technological Center, being only twelve miles south of downtown Denver. Highlands Ranch is ranked as one of the top 20 master-planned communities in the United States, and was developed by the Mission Viejo Company in 1979.
Economy
In 2010, the population of Highlands Ranch was over 91,000 strong, while in 1991 the community had only 17,000 residents. The median household income in 2007 was $99,066 and the median income for a family was $103,516. Only 1.8% of the population and 1.2% of families in Highlands Ranch were below the poverty limit.
The Highlands Ranch Business Park is where the vast majority of offices are located, and the business park encompasses 160-acres. Lucent, Avaya, Qwest and Visa are some of the largest employers located inside of Highlands Ranch. Other business hubs include The Sante Fe Distribution Center and the Highlands Ranch Commerce Center, each 40 acres in size.
Recreation
The master plan of Highlands Ranch requires 61% of the land be designated for non-urban uses. As a result, the community has many parks and recreational facilities. In addition to these outdoor activities, over 100 community events are scheduled throughout the year. These include the Taste of Highlands Ranch, a free Summer Concert Series, Oktoberfest and the Hometown Holiday Celebration.
