Centennial
Location
The City of Centennial is located in the southern region of the Denver Metropolitan Area. The City shares boundaries with the cities of Littleton, Greenwood Village, Aurora, Lone Tree, Town of Foxfield, and unincorporated areas of Arapahoe and Douglas counties. The City’s current incorporated area is more than 29 square miles located entirely within Arapahoe County.
Fiscally responsible values integrate sustainable policies and practices into the fabric of Centennial’s community and emphasize a healthy balance of economic development and quality of life.
Demographic Profile (2017)
Population 109,726
Households 41,324
Median Age 42.4
Median Household Income $96,634
Retail Market
More than half of Centennial’s General Fund Revenues are derived from retail sales tax. The majority of sales tax generation occurs in four of the five retail market areas; Southglenn, West Central, I-25 West and Smoky Hill. Smoky Hill and East Central experienced the largest percentage increase from 2013 to 2014 while I-25 West remains the City’s largest sales tax generating retail market area by total amount generated in 2014.
Southglenn—major retailers include Sears, Macys, Best Buy, Old Navy, and Trice Jewelers, all located in the Streets at Southglenn. Other retailers outside the Streets at Southglenn include American Furniture Warehouse, King Soopers, Albertsons and more.
West Central—some major retailers include Highlands Garden Center, King Soopers, Hobby Lobby, and Stein Mart.
I-25 West—some major retailers include IKEA, REI, J. Alexanders, Toys R Us, Sterling Jewelers, Golfsmith. East Central—some major retailers include Walmart, Viewhouse and numerous auto dealerships.
Smoky Hill and Semi-Rural—some major retailers include King Soopers and various neighborhood serving retail.
Local Economy
Centennial is home to some of metropolitan Denver’s most prestigious neighborhoods and is one of the major employment centers in this region. Numerous business parks can be found throughout the City, featuring companies large, small, well known, traditional, and entrepreneurial. Key industries within Centennial include finance and insurance, aerospace technology, medical technology and devices, advanced information technology, media, engineering, and corporate headquarters.
Transportation infrastructure is a key asset for the community, with connectivity via Interstate 25, Arapahoe Road (State Highway 88), Parker Road (State Highway 83), University Boulevard (State Highway 177), and the Arapahoe at Village Center, and Dry Creek light rail stations. These strong transit connections provide easy access to downtown, Denver International Airport, Denver Technological Center (DTC), Fitzsimons Life Science District, and Anschutz Medical Campus.
Top Private Sector Employers
United Launch Alliance 1,500
Oppenheimer Funds 1,140
United Healthcare 1,050
Comcast 1,010
Pearson eCollege 590
Optum (formerly Connextions) 590
Sierra Nevada Corporation 510
Saunders Construction 500
Arrow Electronics 500
US Foods 490
SEAKR Engineering 430
Nordstrom Credit 420
Allosource 390
Trulia 330
Lifetime Fitness 320
McGraw-Hill Companies 310
National CineMedia 310
Labor Force and Employment Density
More than 50,000 people work in Centennial on an average weekday. Nearly 60,000 Centennial residents are in the labor force/employed. Approximately ten percent of employed Centennial residents also work in Centennial, the remaining commute to other cities, primarily within metro Denver for work each day. Centennial’s labor force is concentrated west of Interstate 25 and east along Parker Road and Smoky Hill Road in the city’s residential areas while employment is concentrated in the central areas of Centennial.
Sales Tax Comparison
The City of Centennial continues to provide services on one of the lowest sales tax rates in the metropolitan area. Retail sales tax in Centennial is the largest source of revenue and represents approximately 53 percent of the total General Fund’s 2015 Budget. Centennial produces less sales tax revenue on a per capita basis compared to other jurisdictions with smaller populations and similar sales tax rates. It is a goal of the City through the Retail Market Analysis project to align competitively and capture more sales tax.
Education
Centennial’s youngest residents have access to two of the finest primary education districts in the state: Littleton Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District.
Littleton Public Schools
5776 South Crocker Street
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 347-3300
www.littletonpublicschools.net
Cherry Creek School District
4700 South Yosemite Street
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
(303) 773-1184
For more information on Performance Ratings and School Report Cards, visit the Colorado Department of Education website at: http://www.schoolview.org.
