Surrounded by farmland, with views of the snowy Rocky Mountain peaks to the west, Johnstown is a small Weld County town with a close-knit community and local charm. Downtown offers quaint brick storefronts and century-old buildings, and the surrounding streets are quiet and walkable with minimal traffic. Located around 13 miles southeast of Loveland and roughly 17 miles southwest of downtown Greeley, residents can enjoy proximity to active shopping districts without sacrificing the peaceful rural atmosphere of Northern Colorado.
As of 2023, Johnstown had a population of over 19,500, a number that increased by over 8,000 from 2013. With its rapidly growing population, the city has been continually developing more subdivisions in the surrounding open land. Weld County’s biggest industries include agriculture, healthcare, education and manufacturing, with major employers including JBS Swift Co, North Colorado Medical Center, Vestas and the University of Northern Colorado. “Agriculture remains a big part of life in Johnstown,” says Elizabeth Grosul, a local real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty NoCo. “It’s a rural community but it’s growing fast, and that growth has brought new businesses and housing developments to the area.”
Johnstown's biggest industries include agriculture, healthcare, education and manufacturing.
One employer is UCHealth Primary Care, which is located about 8 miles north of Johnstown.
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From 20th-century builds to brand-new subdivisions
Surrounding downtown’s shopping strip along Parish Avenue, homes date back to the early-to-mid 1900s, with modest bungalows and ranch-style homes lining the streets. The further south and west of downtown, the newer the homes, with brand-new subdivisions like The Overlook at Johnstown Farms, Revere at Johnstown and Ledge Rock feature modern traditional and craftsman-style architecture. The median home price over the past year was $520,000, with an average price of $532,000 increasing 2% from the previous 12 months. “Houses sit close together near downtown, and neighbors know one another,” says Grosul. “It’s the kind of place where you recognize people and chat with locals in town. It’s not common to see an unrecognizable face.”
Surrounding Johnstown's downtown shopping strip are bungalows which date back to the early-to-mid 1900s.
Modern traditional and craftsman style homes can be found at new subdivisions like Johnstown Village.
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Concurrent enrollment with Aims Community College
Families of Johnstown are served by Weld County School District RE-5J, which earns a B-minus overall grade from Niche. Most students attend the same pipeline of public schools, starting with Pioneer Ridge Elementary School, which gets a B-minus, followed by the C-plus-rated Milliken Middle School. Roosevelt High School receives a B-minus and partners with Aims Community College to provide a wide variety of concurrent enrollment courses, allowing students to earn tuition-free college credit before graduating high school.
Roosevelt High School in Johnstown receives a B-minus from Niche.
Aims Community College, 13 miles north of Johnstown, partners with Roosevelt High School to provide concurrent enrollment courses.
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Summertime events in Johnstown
While Johnstown is a small community, there are a handful of city events that bring in thousands of locals each year. Notably, Johnstown BBQ Day is a long-standing tradition held on the first Saturday each June. Downtown vendors have specials and folks gather to enjoy food, live music and a parade.
Historic storefronts on Parish Avenue
North Parish Avenue is the community’s primary shopping hub, with over a dozen locally owned restaurants, boutiques and other small businesses. Black Sheep Coffee and Crepes has been open since 2018, but its building dates back to 1907 and is still adorned with its original “Eureka Block” sign from downtown’s early days. Johnstown Plaza is located in the north end of town near Loveland and has a selection of brand-name stores and chain restaurants. Shoppers can find some groceries and essentials at Hays Market, and many locals take the short drive to Loveland for a larger selection.
Johnstown's downtown is full of historical buildings, like Black Sheep Coffee and Crepes' building which dates back to 1907.
Shoppers can find groceries and essentials at Hays Market, which is the only grocery store in Johnstown.
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Sports leagues with Thompson River Parks and Recreation
Johnstown is home to 7 public parks, including Nelson Farm Park, which has four baseball diamonds and hosts local league practices and games. The Thompson River Parks and Recreation District operates dozens of local sports leagues for kids and adults, with facilities split between Johnstown and nearby Milliken. Carter Lake is about 19 miles west and is a popular recreation area in the summer months. Visitors can use the waterside campgrounds, launch a boat from the marina or swim from the beach. Additionally, Rocky Mountain National Park is roughly 50 miles west and has over 265,000 acres of trails, campgrounds, scenic roads and wildlife.
Nelson Farm Park Ball Area in Greeley has four baseball diamonds and hosts local league practices and games.
From Johnstown you can travel to the Rocky Mountains for hiking and skiing.
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Declining rates of violent crime
While there is currently no readily available property crime data, according to Colorado Crime Statistics, from 2023 to 2024 the number of violent crimes a year in Johnstown decreased from 62 to 41.
Commuting to nearby cities and utilizing I-25
The community does not offer a bus system, and most residents rely on cars to get to and from work. “Most people that live in Johnstown commute to work in a nearby city, unless they work remotely,” says Grosul. Interstate 25 runs just west of town and can take drivers around 25 miles north to Fort Collins or about 50 miles south to downtown Denver. For long distance travel, the Denver International airport is roughly 48 miles away.
As a native of Fort Collins, CO, I bring a deep passion for Northern Colorado’s charm and vibrant communities. From playing soccer through college, I’ve learned teamwork, dedication, and perseverance—values I carry into real estate. I love helping people and building lasting relationships, which is why I chose this career.
Whether you're buying your first home, searching for your dream property, or selling to start a new chapter, I'm here every step of the way. Known for hard work and compassion, I strive to make your real estate experience smooth and enjoyable. Let’s work together to make your real estate dreams a reality!
?? Contact me today at Liz.grosul@cbrealty.com or 970-213-1895!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
