An analysis of hiring trends among Jefferson County’s top 500 performing businesses reveals a robust and growing local economy over the past six months. The Jeffco 500 Hiring Index, which tracks the percentage of these businesses posting jobs on LinkedIn or Indeed, shows a notable increase in hiring activity from a spring lull to a summer peak, suggesting rising business confidence and a tightening labor market.
The overall index for Jefferson County indicates that after a slight dip in March and April to around 27.5%, the percentage of top businesses actively hiring climbed to a six-month high of 31% in June, a level that was maintained through August. This upward trajectory in hiring among the county’s most successful companies points to a period of economic expansion and job growth.
This trend is consistent with recent labor market data for the county, which saw the unemployment rate decrease from 5.0% in February 2025 to 4.2% by June 2025. The increased hiring activity reflected in the index likely contributed to this decline in unemployment, painting a picture of a healthy and expanding economic landscape.
While the county-wide trend is positive, the data reveals significant economic dynamism within its various municipalities. The cities of Westminster and Broomfield have consistently led the pack with the highest percentage of businesses hiring. Westminster, in particular, has shown a strong upward trend, culminating at approximately 44% in August, making it a key driver of the county’s economic vitality. This aligns with Westminster’s strategic focus on growth and its strong position within the U.S. 36 tech corridor.
Several other cities have also demonstrated significant positive momentum. Lakewood and Wheat Ridge both exhibit steady and encouraging growth in hiring activity throughout the six-month period. Lakewood’s hiring index rose from about 23.5% in the early spring to 28.5% by August, while Wheat Ridge saw a consistent climb from 19% to 25%.
In contrast, other areas have experienced more modest or fluctuating growth. Arvada and Golden have shown relatively stable but less pronounced hiring trends, hovering in the low 20% range. Evergreen, which started with the lowest hiring percentage, has shown signs of a healthy rebound, with its index rising from a low of 15.5% to 20% by the end of the summer.
In conclusion, the hiring patterns of Jefferson County’s top-performing businesses from February to August 2025 suggest a strong and improving economic climate. The overall increase in the hiring index, coupled with a decreasing county unemployment rate, indicates that businesses are confident in the economic outlook and are actively expanding their workforce. While growth is not uniform across all municipalities, the strong performance in key cities like Westminster and the positive momentum in others like Lakewood and Wheat Ridge bode well for the continued economic prosperity of Jefferson County.