Boulder Seeks to Counter Influx of Yuppies

Too many yuppies are moving in, and city officials want to balance the influx with more poor and lower-income families.

“What’s happened is many, many upscale people from both coasts are moving to town,” said Mayor Leslie Durgin. “I’m worried Boulder is becoming an upper-middle class and very white community. I don’t think that’s healthy for any community.”

An analysis of 1990 census figures compiled by the city’s Division of Research and Evaluation indicates Boulder may soon be overrun by young urban professionals.

City leaders intend to focus more attention and money on Boulder’s Affordable Housing Program to attract poorer residents.

The University of Colorado is also trying to bring in more minorities to improve the racial mix of the faculty and staff.

The census study showed the percentage of residents who work in professional and executive jobs jumped from 35% in 1980 to 44% in 1990. Nationwide, it said, the number of workers in those categories decreased from 26% to 22% during the period.

Also, the number of Boulder residents possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher increased from 50% in 1980 to 60% in 1990. The number of college-educated people in the country increased from 16% in 1980 to 20% in 1990.

Excluding University of Colorado students, Boulder’s median household income was 10% higher than the national average in 1990.