Blog > Living in Englewood, CO: The Hip Town Just South of Denver
Living in Englewood, CO: The Hip Town Just South of Denver
by Alex Saldana
Living in Englewood, CO: The Hip Town Just South of Denver
By Alex Saldana, Colorado Real Estate Broker (License #042865) · June 15, 2026
Englewood is a compact city 7 miles south of downtown Denver with a median home price near $605,000, light rail access, 12 parks, and real historic character. It's one of the most attainable South Metro suburbs for buyers wanting to stay close to the city.
Where is Englewood and what is it like?
Englewood sits about 7 miles south of downtown Denver, covering roughly 6.5 square miles with a population just under 34,000.
It's bordered by Denver to the north, Sheridan to the west, Cherry Hills Village to the east, and Littleton to the south. Being compact and tucked in between those cities is part of what gives Englewood its small-town, neighborhoody feel. The vibe is a mix of old-school working-class Denver roots blended with a newer wave of young professionals, artists, and families who've moved in over the last decade. It's gentrifying steadily, especially along South Broadway and around City Center. Englewood is more car-friendly than Denver proper but has genuinely walkable pockets near City Center, South Broadway, and the light rail. What stands out is that it doesn't feel like a master-planned, cookie-cutter suburb, because it isn't one. You'll find vintage bungalows on some streets, mid-century gems on others, and ranch-style homes mixed in. It feels eclectic and a little more real than a lot of other Denver areas.
What is the history of Englewood, Colorado?
Englewood traces back to 1858, when gold was discovered at Little's Dry Creek by Georgia prospector William Green Russell.
That discovery was one of the events that helped kick off the entire Colorado Gold Rush and brought people into the Denver Basin. A few years later, Thomas Skerritt settled in what was called Orchard Place and is credited as the founder of modern Englewood. The city officially incorporated on May 13, 1903, and the name Englewood means "wooded nook" because the area had so many trees back then. For decades it was a small agricultural dairy town. The big turning point came in 1968, when Cinderella City Mall opened in the heart of Englewood as the largest enclosed shopping mall west of the Mississippi River. That mall eventually declined and was demolished in the late '90s. In its place, the city built what's now City Center Englewood, a modern, mixed-use, transit-oriented development that completely reshaped the city's downtown.
What is there to do in Englewood?
Englewood has 12 community parks, with 65% of residents living within a half mile of one, plus a lively South Broadway shopping and music district.
For a city its size, Englewood punches above its weight on recreation. The standout is Belleview Park, one of the most loved family parks in the metro, with a playground, picnic areas, a small petting farm, and an iconic miniature train. Cushing and Centennial Parks sit on the South Platte River, and Pirates Cove Water Park is a major, affordable summer destination. Golfers have the well-rated Broken Tee Golf Course, which even offers foot golf. City Center Englewood is a walkable district with shops, restaurants, an outdoor amphitheater, and the Museum of Outdoor Arts. My favorite part is the historic South Broadway strip, packed with breweries, restaurants, and music venues including the Gothic Theatre, an Art Deco venue from the '20s. Spots like Brew on Broadway, the Englewood Grand, and Cochino Tacos give it an authentic, lived-in feel rather than a polished one.
How are the schools and commute in Englewood?
Englewood schools rate low overall, but the city's central location puts you 15 to 20 minutes from downtown and right against the Tech Center.
If you have kids, do your homework on schools. Most of the city is served by Englewood schools, which don't rate highly on sites like GreatSchools or Niche. Here's the catch, though: because Englewood is so small and tucked between other cities, some homes with an Englewood mailing address actually fall into the well-rated Cherry Creek or Littleton districts, so the specific address really matters. Verify the district before you make an offer. The Denver-area school choice program is also large, so many families opt into a school they prefer rather than their assigned one. On commuting, Englewood is one of the more centrally located suburbs. You're 15 to 20 minutes from downtown and right up against the Denver Tech Center, with easy access to employers like Charles Schwab and Western Union. The RTD D line has two stops here and reaches downtown in about 20 minutes.
How much do homes cost in Englewood?
The median home price in Englewood is around $605,000, with a price per square foot near $336 as of May 2026.
That makes Englewood noticeably more attainable than other South Metro options like Cherry Hills, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and Highlands Ranch. It's a big reason the city attracts first-time buyers, young professionals, and people who want to be close to Denver without paying Denver prices. Englewood is also a major healthcare hub, anchored by Swedish Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center, plus a rehab hospital consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country. Healthcare is actually the biggest local employer. The housing stock spans vintage bungalows, mid-century homes, and ranches, so prices vary widely by pocket. Condos and townhomes around the City Center light rail station are among the more attainable entry points in the entire metro. For buyers willing to take on a little work, you can sometimes find homes in the $500s near South Broadway.
Which Englewood neighborhoods should buyers know?
Four Englewood areas come up most often: Arapahoe Acres, Bates Logan Park, the Old Town area near South Broadway, and the City Center district.
Arapahoe Acres is the most famous, and it's nationally significant as the first post-World War II subdivision listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built between 1949 and 1957 with 124 unique International and Usonian style homes, its median price sits around $750,000. Bates Logan Park, north of downtown Englewood, is known for single-story craftsman bungalows on tree-lined streets, with prices running a bit above the city median thanks to its character and closeness to Denver. The Old Town area in northwest Englewood near South Broadway has housing dating to the early 1900s, a mix of original and renovated bungalows plus new infill, with walkability to restaurants, bars, and light rail. Finally, the City Center area around the light rail station offers newer condos, townhomes, and apartments, making it the most attainable, transit-connected option for buyers who don't need a single-family home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Englewood from downtown Denver?
Englewood is about 7 miles south of downtown Denver, roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive. The RTD D line light rail has two Englewood stops and reaches downtown in about 20 minutes, letting residents skip the I-25 traffic entirely.
What is the median home price in Englewood, CO?
As of May 2026, the median home price in Englewood is around $605,000, with a price per square foot near $336. That makes it more attainable than South Metro neighbors like Cherry Hills, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and Highlands Ranch.
Are Englewood schools good?
Englewood's own district rates low on sites like GreatSchools and Niche. However, some homes with an Englewood address fall into the well-rated Cherry Creek or Littleton districts, so the specific address matters. The area's large school-choice program is another option for families.
What is Arapahoe Acres?
Arapahoe Acres is Englewood's most famous neighborhood and the first post-World War II subdivision listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built from 1949 to 1957, it features 124 unique mid-century modern homes, with a median price around $750,000.
Is Englewood a good place for first-time buyers?
Yes. Englewood's median price near $605,000 and attainable condos around the City Center light rail station make it popular with first-time buyers and young professionals who want to be close to Denver without paying Denver prices.
What is the vibe of Englewood?
Englewood blends old-school working-class Denver roots with a newer wave of young professionals, artists, and families. It's gentrifying along South Broadway and City Center, has walkable pockets, and offers eclectic housing rather than a master-planned, cookie-cutter feel.
Thinking about buying or selling in Denver?
Call or text (303) 552-4804 for a no-pressure conversation about your situation.
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