Superior

A resilient US-36 corridor community rebuilding stronger after the Marshall Fire — among the highest-income small towns in Boulder County.

Positioned along the US-36 corridor between Denver and Boulder, Superior is a home-rule town that has transformed from a 19th-century coal-mining settlement into one of the highest-income small communities in Boulder County. The town gained national attention as the epicenter of the December 2021 Marshall Fire and has since become a case study in disaster recovery.

Community Highlights

Median sale price (2026): roughly $850,000, up double digits year-over-year as rebuilding continues
Median price per square foot: approximately $333
Median household income: approximately $150,000–$157,000 — among the highest in Boulder County
Population: approximately 13,100–13,700
Marshall Fire recovery: roughly 70–75%+ of the 398 destroyed structures rebuilt or permitted as of 2025–2026
School district: Boulder Valley School District

Geographic & Administrative Context

Superior sits along the US-36 corridor in Boulder County, positioned almost exactly between Denver and Boulder. Founded in 1896, the town was named for the superior quality of its coal deposits.

Real Estate Market Dynamics

Superior’s 2026 market is fundamentally shaped by the ongoing recovery from the December 2021 Marshall Fire, which destroyed 398 structures — the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. Roughly 70–75% or more of destroyed homes have been rebuilt or have permits issued, exceeding national post-disaster recovery averages.

Median sale prices have run around $850,000 in early 2026, up nearly 12 percent year-over-year. Buyers should confirm current replacement-cost insurance coverage on rebuilt homes, since widespread underinsurance affected many original homeowners.

Superior Real Estate & Demographic Metrics

Metric	Value
Median Sale Price (2026)	~$850,000
Median Price Per Square Foot	~$333
Median Household Income	$150,000 – $157,000
Population	~13,100 – 13,700

Insight: Superior’s recovery has been shaped by proactive municipal policy, but full recovery has been complicated by widespread underinsurance. Buyers and sellers of rebuilt homes should treat insurance adequacy as standard transaction due diligence.

Economy & Major Employers

Superior functions primarily as a residential community along the US-36 corridor, with most residents commuting to Denver, Boulder, or Broomfield. The town’s exceptionally high median household income reflects a resident base in technology, aerospace, and professional services.

Educational Infrastructure

Superior is served by the Boulder Valley School District, giving families access to the same high-performing schools that draw buyers to Boulder, Louisville, and Lafayette.

Lifestyle, Transit & Points of Interest

Superior’s lifestyle blends US-36 corridor convenience with a strong sense of community resilience. Downtown Superior’s mixed-use development continues to build out walkable retail and dining options closer to home.