In this article, we will be exploring the 20 hilliest cities and towns in the US. You can also check out the 20 Best Small Cities to Live in the US.
The United States is one of the world’s largest countries with a land area of nearly 9,826,630 km sq, making up 6.1% of the world’s land mass. Calculating the exact amount of area occupied by hilly areas in the US is challenging, but a considerable portion of the US is classified as hilly or mountainous. This includes mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Appalachian Mountains, Cascade Range, and the Coastal Range. There are 18 hilly states in the US out of which Colorado has the highest elevation.
Around 2 million Americans shifted from urban areas to suburbs between 2020 and 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced this trend, prompting many people to leave large urban cities for suburban and hilly areas. This increased demand for housing in hilly regions contributed to rising property prices. The Colorado Association of Realtors reported the greatest 12-month period price increase, up by 21.3%, in Denver homes in October 2020. However, the rising property prices led to a decrease in overall sales in the years following the pandemic. Colorado, for example, saw a 20-30% decrease in sales in 2023.
Key Industries in the Hilly Regions of the US
Tourism, Agriculture, and Information and Technology are some of the key industries in the hilly regions of the US. The technology sector, in particular, has been booming in the hilly areas. For example, the tech industry significantly impacts Colorado’s economy, contributing $76 billion to the Gross State Product in 2021, making up 18% of the state’s total economic output.
Tourism is another major industry that impacts businesses in hilly areas. In the year 2022, the GDP contribution of the travel and tourism sector in the US amounted to $2.02 trillion. Like other countries, the US also relies heavily on its hilly cities and towns to boost its tourism. Some of the leading tourism companies operating in the industry include Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:MTN), Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:WH).
Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN) is one of the largest and most renowned publicly traded tourism companies, primarily known for its premier ski resorts and mountain destinations. In Q2 2024, Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN) reported an 8% YoY increase in EBITDA. Meanwhile, EBITDA margin improved by 3.3 points in Q2 compared to the same period last year, due to effective cost management.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:WH) operates as a hotel and resort chain. The company generates most of its revenue by selling vacation ownership interests to individuals, providing them with the right to use a resort property for a specific period each year. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:WH) offers an annual dividend yield of 2.14% as of May 31.
Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB), founded in 2007 is another significant player in the travel and tourism industry. The company’s annual revenue generation for 2023 was $9.917 billion, an 18.07% increase from 2022.
Here’s what Polen Capital said about Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) in its Q1 2024 investor letter:
“During the quarter, we initiated new positions in Sage Group and Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) and added to our existing position in Globant.
Airbnb is a great business model, according to our research, due to its two-sided global network effects. For several reasons, Airbnb has a better mousetrap with its supply growth engine, with its hosts having a far lower cost of capital and more flexibility than hotels. We think private rentals should continue to grow their share of overall accommodation stays, potentially up to 30% of lodging or higher over the long term, letting the private rental gross booking value grow at a low double-digit rate. We also think Airbnb should continue to gain share within the private rental market as its global network effects strengthen, allowing for mid-teens revenue growth. With flat to rising margins over time, significant free cash flow generation, and a management team that has demonstrated its owner orientation, this should result in high-teens EPS growth over time. While the path there will not be linear, and it is a more discretionary spending-tied business, we think the long-term secular growth opportunity is very compelling.”
Copyright: demerzel21 / 123RF Stock Photo
Our Methodology
We compiled a list of the 20 hilliest cities and towns in the US by gathering elevation data from various sources like DBPedia, KDVR, and City Data. We have used the most recent data available up to October 2023. Furthermore, we have excluded villages, ensuring that our list only features only towns and cities. The list of the 20 hilliest towns and cities in the US has been arranged in ascending order of their elevation level.
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Now, let’s begin our list of list of US cities and towns by elevation.
20 Hilliest Cities and Towns in the US
20. Lake City, Colorado
Elevation: 8,658 ft
Lake City is the most populous town in Hinsdale County, Colorado. It is located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in a valley. Lake City has a history of serving as a mining town before emerging as a tourist destination due to the completion of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad line in the 20th Century.
19. Red Cliff, Colorado
Elevation: 8,674 ft
Red Cliff is a statutory town in Eagle County, Colorado. Concealed below the highway which passes over the Red Cliff Truss Bridge, it is situated in the canyon of the upper Eagle River. It is one of the hilliest towns in the US with an elevation of 8674 ft.
18. Silverthorne, Colorado
Elevation: 8,751 ft
Sitting at an elevation of 8751 ft, Silverthorne covers an area of 4.07 square miles. The Blue River passes through the town, offering opportunities for fishing and scenic walks. With its proximity to major ski resorts like Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper Mountain, Silverthorne attracts visitors year-round for both winter and summer adventures.
17. Telluride, Colorado
Elevation: 8,792 ft
Telluride is the most populous town of San Miguel County, Colorado with 2607 residents. It is situated at an elevation of 8,792 ft.
16. Rico, Colorado
Elevation: 8,827 ft
Rico is a town in Dolores County, Colorado. With a population of 288, this town covers an area of 0.68 square miles. Rico is an ideal place for winter sports owing to its alpine subarctic climate.
15. Creede, Colorado
Elevation: 8,838 ft
This scenic town lies in Mineral County, Colorado. Creede is the most populous community within the county. Popular places in Creede include the Underground Mining Museum, Bachelor Loop Interpretive Site, and Creede Repertory Theatre offering adventures to thrill-seekers.
14. Crested Butte, Colorado
Elevation: 8,908 ft
Crested Butte has a mountainous terrain surrounded by towering peaks, rugged ridges, and valleys. This town experiences a highland climate, characterized by cold winters and low humidity. Tourist attractions include Mount Crested Butte, Gothic Road, and the Kebler Pass.
13. Winter Park, Colorado
Elevation: 9,040 ft
Winter Park is in the thirteenth position on our list of the hilliest cities and towns in the US. It is home to Winter Park Resort, a ski resort managed by Alterra Mountain Company. The area also has cross-country skiing opportunities, including Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Snow Mountain Ranch, Grand Lake Nordic Center, and Arapaho National Forest.
12. Frisco, Colorado
Elevation: 9,042 ft
Located in Summit County, Colorado, Frisco is a mountain town that is a part of the Breckenridge, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is a popular town among skiers from around the world, as four major ski resorts are located in close proximity to Frisco, namely Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin.
11. Dillon, Colorado
Elevation: 9,087 ft
The town of Dillon is located in Summit County, Colorado. It is situated at an elevation of 9,087 feet making it one of the hilliest cities and towns in the US.
10. Silverton, Colorado
Elevation: 9,305 ft
Silvertown is situated in the heart of the San Juan mountains. It is within 15 miles of seven of Colorado’s most famous 14,000-foot peaks. Silverton is famous for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and guided gold mine tours.
9. Rockvale, Colorado
Elevation: 9,400 ft
Rockvale is a small town located in Colorado. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in the city such as fishing at nearby reservoirs, riding ATVs through the hills and trails, or simply enjoying a picnic at one of the many parks located around town, some of which include the Pathfinder Park, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, and Tunnel Drive.
8. Cripple Creek, Colorado
Elevation: 9,508 ft
Cripple Creek, a former gold mining camp, has a rich history of gold-bearing capacity within the central Colorado volcanic field. Today, the town covers 974 acres of land, offering attractions such as the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. It is one of the top 10 hilliest cities and towns in the US.
7. Breckenridge, Colorado
Elevation: 9,602 ft
Breckenridge is a Colorado town located at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Tenmile Range. Breckenridge stands at over 9600 ft, making it one of the hilliest towns in the US. This town is known for its year-round Alpine activities and ski resorts. The most prominent sites include the Sawmill Reservoir and Breckenridge Troll Statue.
6. Victor, Colorado
Elevation: 9,695 ft
Victor is a statutory city in Teller County, Colorado that sits at an elevation of 9,695 ft. Being a former mining town, it has a Historic Mining District that offers tourists a glimpse into its rich mining history.
5. Fairplay, Colorado
Elevation: 9,950 ft
Fairplay is a statutory town in Colorado. It experiences a high-altitude alpine climate. Some of the notable tourist attractions in Fairplay include Kenosha Pass, Mount Sherman, and Limber Grove Trail.
4. Blue Sky, Colorado
Elevation: 10,020 ft
Blue Sky, situated in Morgan County, Colorado, sits at an altitude of 10,020 ft. Recreational activities in the area include fishing, hiking, and camping, particularly around popular spots like Mount Blue Sky.
3. Blue River, Colorado
Elevation: 10,020 ft
The town of Blue River is among the top 5 hilliest cities and towns in the US. This town has close proximity to Denver, which makes it a convenient weekend getaway for urban dwellers seeking peace in the mountains. Popular destinations for tourist activities include Kite Lake Campground, Pike National Forest, and White River National Forest
2. Leadville, Colorado
Elevation: 10,152 ft
Leadville, located in the heart of Colorado, has an elevation of 10,152 ft. It is situated in the upper Arkansas River Valley surrounded by National forests. The city offers outdoor activities like fishing and camping near lakes such as Turquoise Lake. Popular hiking spots include Mount Sherman Trail and Timberline Lake Trail. Leadville is one of the major cities by elevation in the US.
1. Alma, Colorado
Elevation: 10,353 ft
Alma is in the first position on our list of hilliest cities and towns in the US. Alma is situated at an elevation of 10,353 ft, making it the highest-elevation town in North America. Despite its size, Alma offers many adventures for visitors. Nearby attractions include Breckenridge Ski Resort, Pike National Forest, Boreas Pass, and Mosquito Pass. The pleasant summer temperatures make it a perfect escape from the populated urban cities.
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