Moreover, the number of people living in Jewish households (which includes non-Jewish household members), has increased 49%.  Today, 117,200 people live in Jewish households located in the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area. 

Dispersion

As stated before, the 2007 Study’s findings indicate not only increased growth, but also increased dispersion.  In fact, the Jewish population of South Metro Denver has grown 66% since 1997, which is twice the rate of Jewish population growth across the Metro Denver/Boulder area.  Consequently, though the historic core of Jewish Denver has grown by more than 5,000 Jews during the past ten years, the concentration of Jewish households in the area has decreased—from 41% of the Jewish households in the Metro Denver/Boulder area in 1997 to 34% today.  In addition, Boulder has seen its Jewish population increase to nearly 13,000 Jews in the past ten years. 

In-migration and integration of Newcomers

The 2007 Study also shows that Metro Denver/Boulder continues to be home to many newcomers, particularly Jewish young adults.  More people moved to the area during the past ten years than were born here during that same time period (24% newcomers versus 20% natives).  However, even given that growth, the area is less of a community of newcomers than it was in 1997.  At the same of that study, 40% of Jewish households had lived in the area for less than ten years—today, that figure has decreased to 24%. 

Diversity

          The Metro Denver/Boulder Jewish community is diverse and includes multi-racial households, Hispanic households, opposite-sex couples who live together, same-sex couples who live together, and households that include a person who is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

Jewish Connections

          Ninety percent of all Jewish respondents to the study agreed that “being Jewish is important to me,” including 61% who agreed that being Jewish “is very important.”  Eighty-five percent report they have made contributions to charitable causes, but only 44% have made a contribution to a Jewish charity.  On the other hand, 75% agreed that they have a special responsibility to take care of Jews in-need around the world.  Thirty-four percent said they are “very emotionally attached” to Israel, as compared to 28% of those who responded to the 2000-01 National Jewish Population Study. 

          When it comes to Jewish religious observance, 66% of all Jewish households always or usually light Chanukah candles, 41% fast on Yom Kippur, 19% always or usually light Shabbat candles, and 13% keep kosher. 

Interfaith Households

          Intermarriage has increased dramatically since 1997.  Back then, 39% of couples across the Metro Denver/Boulder area were intermarried.  Today, that number has risen to 53%, which is on par with intermarriage rates reported by other Jewish communities in the Western United States.  It is also important to note that 70% of respondents under the age of 35 are intermarried.  

          Forty-six percent of all children living in Metro Denver/ Boulder Jewish households live in intermarried households.  As a result, the number of children being raised Jewish has fallen from 78% in 1997 to 56% today.  There are currently 11,400 children being raised in Jewish households that include a non-Jewish parent.  Eighteen percent of those are being raised “Jewish-only;” eleven percent are being raised as “Jewish and something else;” nearly 23% are being raised “undecided;” and, approximately 47% are being raised “non-Jewish.”

Economic Hardship

          Twenty-five percent of households report that they either “cannot make ends meet” or are “just managing” financially.  Likewise, 65% of single parents report they are, at best, “just managing to make ends meet,” and represent 1,000 of the most at-risk Jewish households across the community.  Based on their household income and the number of people living in their households, 12% of all Jewish households in the Metro Denver/Boulder Jewish community fall below an adjusted federal poverty guideline.  This includes 32% of seniors who live alone. 

Age Segmentation

          “Baby boomers” comprise the largest segment of the Jewish population in the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area.  Forty percent of all people in Jewish households are between the ages of 40 and 64—most of them fall into the “boomer” generation.  Similar to the situation ten years ago, the number of children in Jewish households (22%) is nearly twice the number of seniors in Jewish households (12%).

Need for Care-giving

          An estimated 5,900 Jewish households report they are responsible for providing care for an elderly relative or friend.  An additional 5,900 Jewish households not currently providing care are concerned they will have to provide care in the future.  Moreover, an additional 5,400 Jewish household respondents are very concerned about their own ability to be independent as they get older, even though they are not responsible for taking care of others now, nor will they be in the future.  All-told, this equates to more than one-third of all Metro Denver/Boulder Jewish households that are affected by serious care-giving issues.

Rob Klugman, 2007 Study co-chair, explained, “In the ten years since the 1997 Jewish Community Study was conducted, much has changed about our community—but, quite frankly, some of the issues identified then are very much still with us.  In 2007, the data indicate that important populations discussed in 1997—most critically, newcomers, those living outside of central Denver, and interfaith couples—continue to be under-served and under-connected to our communal institutions.  Because the dynamics behind these issues—more people moving to the area, the dispersion of the area’s population, and growth in intermarriage rates—are extremely likely to continue, we urge the community to use the data from the 2007 Study as an impetus to address these issues.”

Nancy Gart, 2007 Study co-chair, added, “We cannot emphasize enough that this Study, in and of itself, is not an end; rather, it should be the beginning of numerous meaningful conversations about what we, as a community, must do to keep ourselves relevant to all those who live here; and, about what programs, services, and resources will be necessary to meet the needs of our growing and diverse community going forward.” 

“That is why,” Gart continued, “When we began this process nearly a year ago, we commissioned three ‘research and development teams’ to explore in greater depth the issues of growth and dispersion, adults in their 20’s and 30’s, and Baby Boomers.  Since last fall, those teams have been poring over data and working diligently to identify challenges and opportunities in order to make recommendations that will better enable our community to address the issues at-hand over both the short- and long-term.  We will share those recommendations with the entire community in the weeks and months to come.”

Nearly 1,400 people from across the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area responded to the survey, and the information they provided will serve as an invaluable tool as the community moves forward in the 21^st Century.  Primary funding for the 2007 Metro Denver/Boulder Jewish Community Study was generously provided by Rose Community Foundation—Rose also provided primary funding for the 1997 Study.  Additional funding for the 2007 Study was provided by the Jay and Rose Phillips Foundation, the Sturm Family Foundation, and the Weaver Family Foundation.  The Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado served as project manager for this initiative.  The research team was led by Drs. Jack Ukeles and Ron Miller of Ukeles Associates, Inc.

The 2007 Metro Denver/Boulder Jewish Community Study Summary Report can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF by logging on to www.jewishcolorado.org/2007study.  Those with questions about the Study are encouraged to email them to 2007study@ajfcolorado.org.