4. Louisville, Colo.
| AT A GLANCE | |
| Population | 20,075 |
| Median Income | $88,877 |
| Job Growth | 10.1% |
| Median Home Price | $427,925 |
| Property Tax | $2,484 |
Smack in the middle of the job-rich corridor between Denver and Boulder, Louisville has great weather, good schools, and the Rockies right out the back door. But its popularity comes at a price: A nice three-bedroom home sells for $500,000—if you can find one.
Louisville is tackling its growth challenges head-on, with improvements designed to accommodate an increasing population while preserving the open spaces that people love. Those include steps to ease traffic carrying workers to the tech companies along Highway 36, the main Boulder–Denver route, and adding more commuter buses to the two big cities. (There are employers in town too, including Sierra Nevada’s Space Systems unit and bike accessory maker Pearl Izumi’s U.S. headquarters.)
Louisville is also expanding its downtown district, building a mix of affordable housing and empty-nester condos while repurposing existing buildings. One highlight: the 110-year-old grain elevator at the heart of a new restaurant/retail center. --Vanessa Richardson