Greeley is the Home Rule Municipality and the county seat of Weld County, Colorado. Greeley is the principal city of the Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a major city of the Front Range Urban Corridor. With a population of 108,649 as of 2019, the City of Greeley is the most populous municipality of Weld County and the 12th-most-populous city in Colorado.

 

Economy

The City of Greeley began as a small, pioneering and agricultural settlement. Founded by young Nathan Meeker and named after Horace Greeley—the same man who popularized the phrase go west, young man—the settlement quickly developed into an agricultural center home to a hardworking and proud community. Today, that history and pride have led our Northern Colorado city to become one of the largest in the state, the center of Weld County and a driving force in culture, community events and entertainment. However, Greeley remains one of the state’s hidden gems despite its affordable housing, prime location and abundance of amenities. In fact, Greeley market was among the most profitable places for sellers in 2017, according to ATTOM Data Solutions. Greeley still has the lowest average price amongst the Northern Colorado communities. That makes it a great environment for buyers and sellers thanks to the affordable home prices and the steady appreciation. Furthermore, WalletHub’s Best Cities for First-Time Home Buyers 2018 ranked Greeley 20th among other nationwide cities.

 

Arts and Culture

Owned and operated by the City of Greeley, the Union Colony Civic Center, one of the largest performing arts venues in Colorado, sponsors many events held by the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greeley Chorale and the Stampede Troupe theater company. The 214 seat Hensel Phelps Theatre hosts The Stampede Troupe in addition to lectures, meetings, and smaller performances. The 1686 seat Monfort Concert Hall hosts touring Broadway musicals, concerts, comedians, along with regional and local performing arts groups. Furthermore, the Tointon Gallery presents a dozen exhibits annually by local, regional, and national artists, and is free to the public.

 

Education

Founded in 1889, the University of Northern Colorado is the educational heart of the City and is also one of the employment powerhouses in all of Northern Colorado. The public research university is recognized for its quality business, performing arts, and nursing programs. It is home to more than 13,000 students and six colleges, which employ 837 faculty and a total of 1,820 full-time and part-time employees. The university draws an array of guest artists and speakers who brighten the cultural landscape.