Manitou Springs Homes For Sale
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Manitou Springs, Colorado
This quick read will give you everything you need to know about Manitou Springs, CO (commonly known as “Manitou”). This information should be helpful when considering moving to Manitou or merely getting to know the Greater Colorado Springs area better.
We will share information on Manitou Spring's real estate market, commutes, schools, weather, taxes, crime, and things to do, and more. Let's Get into It!
FAQ's - Things To Know About Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs, just west of Colorado Springs, is a charming town full of unique, locally-owned businesses and a thriving culture of its own. Its quaint and delightful surroundings and lack of commercial presence make for a cozy local hometown feeling. Manitou's outskirts also feature mountain town-like qualities, with hiking trails encompassing nature, the famous Incline trail, and cultural tradition embedded within its streets.
DISTANCE TO COLORADO SPRINGS: 13 mins. / 5.9 miles
POPULATION: 5,346 people
SIZE: 3.15 square miles
LOCAL AMENITIES: charming locale, shopping, dining, parks
KNOWN FOR: Incline Trail, located between Garden Of The Gods and Rockies
MANITOU SPRINGS ZIPCODE: 80829
MANITOU AREA CODE: 719
MANITOU SPRINGS COLORADO ELEVATION: 6,412 above sea level
Commuting in Manitou
The question of how far is Manitou Springs to Colorado Springs has a pleasant answer. From Manitou Springs to Colorado Springs, it is about a 13-minute drive via the fastest route or 5.9 miles. It is also only 8 minutes to Old Colorado City!
Within Manitou itself, though, commute time is very different. Due to the small-town infrastructure and the generally high volumes of tourists, the average commute time in Manitou Springs is 23 minutes. Although, this is lower than the national average commute time, which is 26.4 minutes.
For permanent residents and everyday commutes, like work, driving a personal car is the most popular form of commuting, but the walk score of Manitou Springs is extremely high. Coming in at a walk score of 79 out of 100, many things in Manitou are comfortably accomplished on foot.
Biking is also a very viable option in Manitou, though it does have a minimal infrastructure for biking specifically.
Manitou Springs Weather
The weather in Manitou Springs, CO, is, on average, slightly cooler than Colorado Springs. This difference is only by about two degrees and is due to the higher elevation.
For comparison, Manitou Springs, Colorado elevation is 6,412, whereas Colorado Springs elevation is 6,035.
Although this increase in elevation and colder average temperatures do not affect snowfall, Manitou's annual snow averages are three inches less than Colorado Springs.
Other than these differences, the weather in Manitou is very similar to the weather in Colorado Springs. The climate is still very dry, especially with the higher elevation, so make sure to always bring plenty of water and chapstick with you!
Manitou Springs Schools
The Manitou Springs School District 14 encompasses Manitou and a large part of the western edge of El Paso County. The district is home to two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
Like most other schools in Colorado, the Manitou school district also allows students to “choice” into a school, meaning a student is not limited to their school options based on where they live.
The Manitou Springs High School has one of the highest graduation rates in the Pikes Peak Region and offers the Advanced Placement program to prepare students for college.
Taxes in Manitou
Sales Tax
Manitou's total sales tax rate is 9.03% for 2020 and is a combination of state, county, and city sales taxes. Colorado is responsible for 2.9% of the total, El Paso County, for 1.23%, and the city of Manitou Springs is responsible for the remaining 3.9%.
Income and Property Tax
These taxes do not vary by city; see our Moving to Colorado Springs post for more information.
Crime Rates
Crime rates in Manitou are 52% lower than the national average, and there is only a 1 in 81 chance for a person in Manitou to become a victim of a crime. More specifically, violent crime rates in Manitou are 51% below the national average and get lower every year. As a whole, Manitou is safer than 62% of cities in the United States.
Things To Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado
Manitou offers a wide range of things to do. Whether you want to immerse yourself in Manitou's history and culture, explore the surrounding outdoors, or experience the modern locale with unique shopping, Manitou has something for everyone.
Manitou Springs Incline
The Incline in Manitou Springs, Colorado, is an extremely popular trail that attracts people from all neck of the woods. This famous hike is an old railway that scales the Rocky Mountainside and includes breathtaking, sweeping views.
Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings
This attraction emphasizes the rich history of Manitou. Showcasing the ruins of the homes of the Ancestral Puebloan tribes, this site and museum teach visitors all about the historical significance of the Manitou area.
Manitou Springs Hot Springs
The Manitou hot springs connect to the Native American history of the area. The Sunwater Spa Hot Springs resort allows you to enjoy the natural mineral hot springs of Manitou. Natives believed these hot springs offered a sort of water therapy. Now, the mineral hot springs are one of the things Manitou is known best for.
Miramont Castle
Miramont Castle is now a museum in Manitou Springs and was initially built-in 1895. Its Victorian architecture and rich history make for a beautifully exciting site to visit.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The railway’s base is located in Manitou and climbs to the summit of Pikes Peak, one of Colorado's more popular fourteener's (a mountain reaching 14,000 feet in elevation). It is the highest railway in North America by a considerable amount. This ride is truly picturesque.
Barr Trail
This is not a hike for the faint of heart. The first half of the hike leads to Barr Camp, which sits just below the timberline. The entirety of the hike climbs to the top of Pikes Peak. It is a 24-mile long hike that is recommended for experienced hikers. On the way to the top, you will see waterfalls, wildlife, and mountainous views.
It is a heavily trafficked trail, for Pikes Peak is one of the most popular fourteeners to climb, especially in Colorado. At the top, there are incredible views and a souvenir shop to memorialize your trip. It is an accomplishment that includes endless bragging rights.
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls Manitou Springs, Colorado, is the main sight of a nature walk in Manitou's Fountain Creek area. It is also known as Graffiti Falls due to a large amount of painting on the waterfall's face. The trailhead is located on the bend of Serpentine Drive, a central part of Manitou.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
This site offers a tour of the cave system within the Rocky Mountain. It has rooms full of natural crystals and some of the most mysterious natural occurrences. It also features extensive outdoor adventure parks and an infamous canyon swing.
Downtown Manitou Springs
Downtown is arguably the main attraction of Manitou. It is the hub of Manitou's artistry, features the majority of the shopping and dining, still offers views of the surrounding nature, immerses you in the unique locale of Manitou, and has aspects of its history throughout.
You will find natural mineral springs along Main Street, where you can try the clean, natural running mineral water. There is also the occasional playground where you can break from walking to sit and enjoy the sites.
It also features the majority of Manitou Springs’ shopping, with locally-owned shops, eateries, and more lining the street. It is truly one of a kind experience and won't be found anywhere else.
Manitou Springs Homeowner's
If you currently own a home in the Manitou Springs area, you will be happy to know your home's value has likely increased significantly...more than what most would imagine.
If you are curious to know what your home is currently valued at in our market, feel free to utilize our automated Home Value Estimator tool below.
So...here's the thing...
We are in desperate need of available homes in the Manitou Springs area! Our office alone has an extensive list of people wanting to buy a home in Manitou Springs that we are actively trying to help find a home.
That said, if you are interested in selling your home now or soon, please let us know as we would likely start a bidding war for your home when alerting our lists.
Instantly learn what your home's value is in today's market, for free.
Sources & Resources
Cave of the Winds (Colorado) | Rainbow Falls (Manitou Springs, Colorado) | Pikes Peak via Barr Trail - Colorado | Manitou Incline | Miramont Castle | Manitou Cliff Dwellings | Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway | Manitou Springs Mineral Springs - Visit Colorado Springs | Manitou Springs | https://www.walkscore.com/score/6-arcade-manitou-springs-co-80829 | Manitou Springs, Colorado Commuting | Crime in the United States | Manitou Springs, CO Crime Rates & Map | Manitou Springs, CO - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast | https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/colorado/cities/manitou-springs.html#:~:text=The%20minimum%20combined%202020%20sales,sales%20tax%20rate%20is%201.23%25.