A commercial district worth replicating
With a streetscape that inspired Disneyland's Main Street USA, Old Town Fort Collins has been serving as the city’s gathering place since it was founded over 150 years ago.
Old Town
Suburban Neighborhood in Fort Collins, Colorado
Larimer County 80524
The local businesses of Old Town
Old Town’s College Avenue and Walnut Street are lined with dozens of locally owned businesses, many of which have been serving the community for decades. "Everyone in Fort Collins comes to Old Town for the restaurants,” says Mike Sibbald, a local Realtor with Elevations Real Estate. “Even for folks who live on the south side of town, it's still super easy to reach the area by car. It’s the area with the most variety of businesses within walking distance of each other.” Silver Grill Cafe has been serving up brunch in Old Town since it opened in 1933. This locally owned, old-school diner is known for its giant cinnamon rolls, with over 12,000 purchased every month. From the bar, patrons can see cooks preparing omelets and full breakfast plates, with a fast-paced, lively atmosphere getting dishes out to tables quickly. It’s easy to miss the entrance to Social on Mountain Road, but walking down the unassuming staircase takes locals into the popular, speakeasy-inspired bar. In 2018, Social was listed as one of the 150 best bars in America by the Los Angeles Times. “You get a great view of the city from Sunset Lounge,” says Nicole Gardner, a former CSU student who decided to put down roots in Fort Collins after graduation. “Every December we have a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and from the rooftop bar, you can see the festive lights come on throughout downtown.” In addition to its great views, Sunset Lounge offers a range of unique cocktails and small bites. Locals are also within walking distance of both Target and Lucky’s Market.
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Victorian influences and personal touches
Fish scale siding is a common sight throughout the residential streets of Old Town, with colorful Cape Cods and bungalows sporting Victorian influences. Many of the community’s homes date back to the early 20th century. “No two houses are the same,” Sibbald says. “Lots of the neighborhood’s homes have had additions and renovations over the years. People really care about maintaining their homes and keeping the community in good condition.” Houses with less than 1,000 square feet can be listed for $300,000 to $600,000, while recently renovated homes with over 2,000 square feet can hit the market for $900,000 to $1.3 million. Homes sit close to one another, but residents make use of their limited lawn space with pollinator gardens and low-water-use landscaping. It’s also common to see bird feeders hanging from trees that line the area’s sidewalks.
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Poudre School District
Residents on the neighborhood’s south side are just a couple blocks from Laurel Elementary School, which earns a B-minus overall rating from Niche. The B-plus-rated Lesher Middle School has numerous extracurricular offerings, including the science Olympiad, rock climbing club and girls who code. Fort Collins High School earns an A-minus overall grade and is the third-best public high school in Larimer County, according to Niche. High schoolers with an interest in the biological sciences can apply for the Bioscience Career Academy to earn a BCA endorsed diploma by going through technical training, internships and other enrichment opportunities.
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CSU Events
Colorado State University is a cornerstone of the Fort Collins community. “Lots of college students end up getting a job in town and living here after graduation,” says Sibbald. With a student body of over 25,000, the college’s impact is felt throughout town, with free live music events and festivals held on campus year-round. The Lagoon Summer Concert Series is held Wednesday evenings between June and July where residents enjoy food from local vendors while listening to live music. Residents are within walking distance of the Old Town Library on Peterson Street. The library offers programs for locals of all ages and operates a book bike, a small mobile library that travels to local events.
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Scenic trails and natural areas
Library Park features a colorful playground and picnic tables right next to the historic 1882 Franz-Smith cabin. This landmark was built by German immigrants in the early days of Fort Collins and is one of the oldest standing buildings in town. Crossing Riverside Avenue brings locals to the Udall Natural Area, home to a half-mile dirt walking path that encircles the area’s three ponds. The City of Fort Collins hosts numerous park and natural area programs throughout the summer and fall, from sunset yoga sessions to short educational presentations. “The Horsetooth Reservoir is one of the area’s most popular outdoor spaces,” Sibbald says. “It’s a 15-minute drive from Old-Town and, when the weather is nice, people head to the water to go tubing, fishing and paddle boarding.” Visitors can also access around 30 miles of hiking and biking trails from the land surrounding the reservoir. “You’re also just an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park,” says Sibbald. “The town attracts a lot of people with a passion for nature and outdoor recreation.”
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A bike-friendly city
Route 14 runs through the neighborhood and can take residents to Interstate 25 in 10 minutes. Locals are about an hour north of downtown Denver and 45 minutes from Cheyenne, Wyoming. The MAX Bus Rapid Transit Service has stops along Olive Street, Jefferson Street and Mountain Avenue and takes commuters throughout the city. With limited parking downtown and a steadily growing population, the city has been dedicated to making the area biker friendly, with over 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes and hundreds of residents who bike to work every day.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Lindsey
Video By
Victoria York
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Heath Soderstrom
Heath Soderstrom
Responds QuicklyeXp Realty, LLC
(720) 613-6219
7 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$302,000 Price
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Steve Balmer
Steve Balmer
Elevations Real Estate, LLC
(970) 666-6772
111 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$1,025,000 Price
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The Woodrum Team
The Woodrum Team
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty- Fort Collins
(970) 999-1108
338 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$630,000 Price
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Kyle Basnar
Kyle Basnar
Responds QuicklyGroup Mulberry
(970) 698-8150
336 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$210,000 Price
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Jathan Trevena
Jathan Trevena
Coldwell Banker Realty- Fort Collins
(970) 698-8063
136 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$290,000 Price
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Irene Smith
Irene Smith
RE/MAX Alliance-FTC Dwtn
(970) 251-7910
25 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$255,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Buckingham Park
Library Park
City Park
Civic Center Park
Oak Street Plaza
Rotary Park
Lee martines park
Udall Natural Area
Eastside Park
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Old Town | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 10 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 9 | 4 |
| Larceny | 10 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 8 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Town, Fort Collins sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Old Town, Fort Collins over the last 12 months is $572,950, up 24% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$556,750
Median Single Family Price
$595,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,280,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$289,250
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$255,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$436
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
20
Months of Supply
3.00
Median List Price
$599,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
37%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
236
Median Year Built
1909
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,404
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,918
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
764
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
700
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969
Open Houses
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Saturday, Apr 2610am - 12pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
618
Median Age
35
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,833
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$70,865
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.2%
College Graduates
54.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
13°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
35''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
100
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
41
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
East Dale
A bikeable Fort Collins community just a mile from Old Town
University Park
An established Fort Collins community bordering Colorado State University
Downtown Fort Collins
Abundant local shops and eateries at the center of Fort Collins
Old Town West
A Fort Collins community with Victorian architecture
University North
An established Fort Collins neighborhood bordered by Colorado State University
Highlander Heights
Mid-century homes and evergreen-lined lanes south of downtown Fort Collins
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