Boulder, CO local economy

Boulder, CO ranks in the 97th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum flat over the past 12 months.

New business applications or registrations was 9,012 in January 2025, down 15.1% from January 2024. Dwelling units authorized by permit was 135 in July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How does Boulder, CO rank among United States metros?

Boulder, CO ranks in the 97th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum flat over the past 12 months.

What is the new business applications or registrations in Boulder, CO?

New business applications or registrations in Boulder, CO was 9,012 in January 2025.

What is the dwelling units authorized by permit in Boulder, CO?

Dwelling units authorized by permit in Boulder, CO was 135 in July 2026.

What is the payrolled or covered employment in Boulder, CO?

Payrolled or covered employment in Boulder, CO was 185,013 in January 2026.

Nearby and related

• United States overview
• Springfield, IL
• Carson City, NV
• Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
• Rochester, MN
• Madison, WI
• Sheboygan, WI
• Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
• Wilmington, NC
• Midland, TX
• St. George, UT

Sources and methodology

• U.S. Census Bureau — Business Formation Statistics (BFS)
• U.S. Census Bureau — Building Permits Survey (BPS), CBSA monthly
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), national all-industry

Method: 2026.09. Updated 2026-09-10. Coverage: 100% of weighted components available.

Embed this badge

Free to use on your own site, a newsletter, or a council report. Links back to this page.

<a href="https://localeconomy.com/us/metro/boulder-co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://localeconomy.com/badges/us/boulder-co.svg" width="320" height="110" alt="Boulder, CO local economy score, via LocalEconomy.com" /></a>

Cite this page