Douglas County and Castle Rock shine brightly on both the state and national levels. These recognitions provide third-party affirmations that Castle Rock is a great place to conduct business and an enjoyable place to live.

  • Forbes magazine named Douglas County the No. 8 Wealthiest County in the United States. (2021)
  • Castle Rock was named Best Large Community for Economic Development by the Economic Development Council of Colorado (2010 and following years), due much in part to the Castle Rock Economic Partnership – a unique collaborative group comprising the Town leadership, Castle Rock Economic Development Council, Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Castle Rock Downtown Alliance.
  • Money Magazine named Castle Rock the No. 28 Best Places to Live in the United States. (2021).
  • CNBC ranked Colorado as 4th best state for business in 2022.
  • In 2022, Money Geek named Castle Rock the safest small city in Colorado.
  • Wallet Hub ranked Castle Rock as one of the best small cities in America.
  • Castle Rock EDC was named the most Innovative Economic Development 2016 by Rockies Venture Club.

Colorado Rankings

Colorado consistently receives top rankings nationally as a place to live and start and succeed in business.

Colorado Ranking according to USnews.

Best States for Business
Forbes Magazine 
4th
 Venture Capital per Capita
Beacon Hill State Competitiveness
 3rd
Tech Industry Employment Concentration
TechAmerica Cyberstates 2010
 3rd
 Research & Development Inputs
Milken Institute
 4th
 Entrepreneurial Activity
ITIF New Economy Index
 2nd
 Fortune 500 Companies Headquartered in CO
Fortune Magazine
 8th
High Tech Establishments
Cyberstates 2010
 10th
Most Preferred State to Live In
The Harris Poll
 5th
 Percent of Sunny Days
CQ Press State Rankings
 4th
 Largest Space Economy (private employment)
Development Research Partners
1st
 State Technology & Science Index
Milken Institute
3rd
Percent of Adults in Labor Force
U.S. Census Bureau
5th
 Percent of Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
U.S. Census Bureau
2nd
 Science & Engineering Degrees per Capita
Beacon Hill State Competitiveness
9th
Scientistis & Engineers as Percent of Labor Force
Beacon Hill State Competitiveness
3rd
Economic Outlook
ALEC Latter State Econ Comp Index
2nd
Patents per 1,000 Workers
ITIF New Economy Index
2nd
  Average Elevation
CQ Press State Rankings
1st