When it comes to being a snob, there are all types. You’ve got your Wine Snobs, your Book Snobs, and of course, your Clothes Snobs. Then there are the Technology Snobs, Car Snobs, and yes, even City Snobs—as in, I’m better than you because I live in (insert snooty city here).
Colorado definitely has its snobs. In fact, who isn’t a snob in the land of sparkling white diamond mountains and smooth blue sapphire flowing rivers?
There is a reason why lots of people flock here. Just like the Rocky Mountains, themselves, everything is bigger and better in the Centennial State.
Including the snobbery.
We’re not saying anything is wrong with the cities or the people in the cities listed below. Heck, we’d probably be snobs too if we had lots of money and a big ole’ education.
So, how can we tell which Colorado cities are the snobbiest? By measuring snobby things, that’s how.
After analyzing more than 100 cities, we’ve firmly decided that these are the 10 snobbiest cities in the state of Colorado:
- Greenwood Village (Photos)
- Vail (Photos)
- Aspen (Photos)
- Evergreen
- Lone Tree (Photos)
- Cherry Hills Village (Photos)
- Castle Pines (Photos)
- Edwards
- Superior (Photos)
- Boulder (Photos)
This list probably was a shocker for most Coloradoans because Aspen didn’t win.
And to be clear, we didn’t form this list based on our own biases — we relied on the cold hard data.
For more Colorado reading, check out:
How we determined the snobbiest places in Colorado
If you’re feeling a bit haughty about these rankings, don’t run out and get yourself a new Patagonia to make the pain go away. See, we relied on facts and figures to create this list; not just our opinions of those cities.
We started by making a list of every place in Colorado with more than 5,000 people based on the 2013 American Community Survey. That left us with more than 218 places in Colorado.
We then looked at the following snob-tastic criteria for each of the places on the list:
- Median home price (Higher is snobbier)
- Median household income (Higher is snobbier)
- Percent of population with a college degree (Higher is snobbier)
- Private schools per capita (Higher is snobbier)
- Theaters per capita (Higher is snobbier)
- Art galleries per capita (Higher is snobbier)
Time to put on your monocle and go through these snooty places.
And we have to say – we’re not saying these are bad places. In fact, if we had the wealth and education that these cities had, we’d probably be a little snobby ourselves.
1. Greenwood Village
Population: 13,932
Median household income: $113,596
Median home price: $742,700
There are snooty places, there are snobby places, and then there’s Greenwood Village. Built from an old gold mining town, Greenwood Village has pulled themselves up from their Sorel boot straps to become what some might consider the Silicon Valley of the Rockies.
Greenwood Village has the 2nd most expensive homes in the entire state, and residents make the 4th most moolah.
With all of the emerging tech companies here, it’s no wonder that you have a lot of people running for the hills to be here. And these hills seem to be paved with gold.
2. Vail
Population: 5,287
Median household income: $70,332
Median home price: $670,800
There are lots of art snobs in Vail, judging by the sheer number of art galleries per capita (2nd in CO). And of course, Vail has its film and dance festivals.
The homes here are the 3rd largest of all, and there are quite a few private schools in the area, too.
And if Michael Bloomberg, Lindsey Vonn, and Buddy Lazier think it’s fancy enough place to lay their weary heads, it must be snoberrific!
But you knew that already.
3. Aspen
Population: 6,607
Median household income: $71,284
Median home price: $608,000
Aspen was established as a silver mining region, and now, there are silver spoons in the cabinets here.
As you’re aware, Aspen is a town for the rich and famous. Some of its notable residents (Kevin Costner, Hunter S. Thompson, John Denver) catapulted this town to the glitzy playground it is today. The influx of wealth from these famous musicians and actors have been joined by corporate executive wealth; and thus, most middle-class residents can no longer afford to live there.
In terms of sheer numbers, Aspen has more art galleries and theaters than anywhere else in the state, per capita. And not only are they culture snobs here, they’re loaded. Like ‘4th richest in the state’ loaded.
They’re probably crying in their furs right now since they’re not used to getting ‘third’ in anything.
4. Evergreen
Population: 8,942
Median household income: $87,554
Median home price: $390,000
It seems fitting that this place is called Evergreen, because there’s a lot of green here. While folks here aren’t the highest earners, $87,000 a year is nothing to sneeze at.
Evergreen was originally a summer resort for wealthy folks from Denver and beyond, including both President Roosevelts. The population here is really smart – over half have a college degree – and there’s more than enough culture in the area to keep the residents entertained.
If you can’t afford a $390,000 home
.there is always Denver.
5. Lone Tree
Population: 10,941
Median household income: $100,659
Median home price: $445,600
Lone Tree is a suburb of Centennial. If you want to live here, you have to be loaded. Plain and simple.
There are all sorts of fancy shopping venues in the area, and for such a small place, there’s lots of artsy stuff to do. There’s the Lone Tree Arts Center, the Spotlight Performing Arts Center, and the Rhapsody Performing Arts Center.
The private schools in Lone Tree area just about the highest rated in the nation as well.
Does having three private schools for a population of just over 10,000 people make them snobs?
Yes it does.
6. Cherry Hills Village
Population: 6,043
Median household income: $231,774
Median home price: $1,416,700
There’s one big reason Cherry Hills is towards the top of this list. It starts with an M and ends in ONEY.
The people here are just filthy rich. Like, ‘We make more money than anyone else in the nation’ rich. And the home prices here average $1.4 million. That means there are lots of homes here which cost more than most people make in a lifetime.
Not only do the residents of Cherry Hills think they are fantastic, but so do many sports enthusiasts as well. The city has hosted eight USGA competitions, three PGA Championships, as well as the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open at the Cherry Hills Country Club.
If Cherry Hills is good enough for Arnold Palmer, it must be snobtastic.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went to school here if that puts things into perspective.
7. Castle Pines
Population: 10,210
Median household income: $135,145
Median home price: $449,800
Castle Pines is an affluent suburb that’s also just south of Centennial. This place has snobbery written all over it: Natural beauty, upscale neighborhoods, and premier, private golf courses.
Folks here earn the second highest incomes in the entire state. So you can imagine how expensive it must be to join the Castle Pines Country Club or the Castle Pines Golf Club.
And you can be sure that residents here will be quick to remind you that Castle Pines was ranked #17 in CNN Money Magazine’s Top 25 Best Places to live in 2013.
8. Edwards
Population: 9,570
Median household income: $76,336
Median home price: $543,900
Along I-70 is the ‘luxury resort town’ of Edwards, Colorado. At least that’s what they call themselves.
Edwards is essentially a larger version of Vail or Aspen. They make more money in Edwards, but the homes are less expensive. And like Aspen and Vail, there are quite a few cultural amenities here to keep the population occupied year round.
Here’s how someone connected with Edwards (we assume) edited the city’s Wikipedia entry:
‘Edwards is home to a quintessential outdoor shopping scene that houses many upscale boutiques, art galleries, specialty shops, and fancy bistros. just like its neighbor Vail, Edwards is a plush ski town with wine lists that go one for miles and spas where visitors are treated to the finest mountain pampering.’
It that’s not a snobby way of describing yourself, we don’t know what is.
9. Superior
Population: 12,407
Median household income: $107,921
Median home price: $408,100
The name says it all.
Located in Jefferson County, just around the corner from Boulder, 75% of the residents in Superior hold a college degree, which is the 2nd most in the state. And they’re pretty rich here, too.
The list of notable former and current residents is filled with well known literary, artistic, business professional types, and athletes. It’s a fancy place. Trust us.
Does that make you a snob? Only when you brag about it.
10. Boulder
Population: 99,177
Median household income: $56,206
Median home price: $489,500
There is nothing lowbrow about Boulder, so don’t let the sight of hippies fool you.
Boulder always wins awards for being a healthy, smart place where people are into arts. So while they might not be the wealthiest by any stretch, they make up for it in other ways.
Boulder has 28 private schools, 30 theaters, and 65 galleries. It’s just such a darn cute town that you can’t blame the residents here for being snobby.
Actually, we’re quite jealous. Just like we are about the other 9 cities on this list.
Summing Up The Humble Pie
Well there you have it, the places in Colorado that needed a piece of humble pie, with Greenwood Village in particular being called out as the snobbiest place in the state.
So sure, we may call you guys a little ‘snobby’. But it’s only because we’re jealous.
And in case you missed it, we ranked the 10 worst cities in Colorado. Number one will probably be an eye opener.
