Columbine ( ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in and governed by Jefferson and Arapahoe counties in Colorado, United States. The CDP is a part of the Denver metropolitan area. Located primarily in Jefferson County, Columbine lies immediately south of Denver. The population of the Columbine CDP was 25,229 at the 2020 census.

History

thumb|left|[[Columbine High School sign, August 2008]]

Columbine grew rapidly during the Space Race years from 1958 to 1968 with the construction of the Martin Company missile facility in Waterton Canyon. Its population exceeded 20,000 for the first time in 1980.

Columbine was the site of the 1927 Columbine Mine massacre during the labor disputes of the 1920s and the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 perpetrated by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.

Geography

Columbine is located on the eastern edge of Jefferson County with a small portion extending east into Arapahoe County. Columbine is bordered to the east by Littleton and Columbine Valley, and to the west by Ken Caryl. The Denver city limits are north of the northern border of Columbine, and to the south the community extends as far as the Chatfield Reservoir dam.

The Columbine CDP has an area of , including of water.

Of the 8,656 households 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 15.8% of households were one person and 3.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.11.

The age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.

The median household income was $71,319 and the median family income was $77,866 (these figures had risen to $78,203 and $88,515 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $51,300 versus $35,713 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,471. About 1.6% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over. -->

The United States Census Bureau initially defined the for the

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Columbine had a population of 25,229. The median age was 44.0 years; 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.5% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.6 males age 18 and over.

There were 9,542 households in Columbine, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 61.2% were married-couple households, 13.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 21,140 || 83.8%

|-

| Black or African American || 203 || 0.8%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 170 || 0.7%

|-

| Asian || 622 || 2.5%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 10 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 624 || 2.5%

|-

| Two or more races || 2,460 || 9.8%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 2,756 || 10.9%

|}

Education

The portion of Columbine in Jefferson County is served by the Jefferson County Public Schools.

  • Zoned elementary schools: Columbine Hills, Dutch Creek, Leawood, and Normandy
  • Middle school: Ken Caryl Middle School
  • High school: Columbine High School

The portion of Columbine in Arapahoe County is served by the Littleton Public Schools. This section is zoned to:

  • Wilder Elementary School (in Columbine CDP)
  • Goddard Middle School
  • Heritage High School

Jefferson County Public Library operates the Columbine Library. It opened in 1989, and an expansion and renovation were completed in 2017.

See also

  • Bibliography of Colorado
  • Geography of Colorado
  • History of Colorado
  • Index of Colorado-related articles
  • List of Colorado-related lists
  • List of census-designated places in Colorado
  • List of statistical areas in Colorado
  • Outline of Colorado
  • Front Range Urban Corridor

References

  • Jefferson County website
  • Jeffco Public Schools
  • Columbine High School
  • Arapahoe County website
  • Littleton Public Schools