Eaton

Eaton was incorporated in 1892 and is located just a few miles north of Greeley. It’s named after Benjamin Eaton, an irrigation pioneer who played a leading role in transforming the arid Colorado prairie into a thriving agricultural region with water brought from the Rocky Mountains. Benjamin Eaton went on to become governor and irrigation systems he designed are still in use today. The town of Eaton maintains its small-town feel and is a community with a mix of historic single-family dwellings and elegant newer homes. Though many people in Eaton commute to the larger Northern Colorado communities of Greeley, Loveland, Windsor, and Fort Collins, Eaton maintains the friendly atmosphere found in small towns.

Population: 46,090 (2021 estimate) Its population has almost doubled in the past 20 years

Climate: Over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Geography: 7 miles north of Greeley; 22 miles east  of Fort Collins; 60 miles north of Denver. Located on U.S. Highway 85 on the western edge of the great plains.

Median Family Income: $86,620

The Town of Eaton maintains eight public parks covering approximately 40 acres and there are also private golf courses. Eaton’s close proximity to larger communities (Greeley is 10 minutes away and Fort Collins is reached in under 30 minutes) provides near limitless recreation options including tennis, golf, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, baseball and bike trails. The Rocky Mountains are less than an hour away, so nature lovers will have no trouble escaping to the wilderness. 

Eaton has elementary, middle and high schools for its young residents. Higher education options available in Northern Colorado include the University of Northern Colorado, Aims Community College (both in Greeley) and Colorado State University and Front Range Community College (in Fort Collins).

Banner Health Clinic in Eaton provides care for the community and includes two board-certified family physicians and a family nurse practitioner. It is affiliated with North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. University of Colorado Health has hospitals in Fort Collins, Loveland and Children’s Hospital in Denver. Quality specialists in virtually all areas are available within a short drive.

Agriculture still plays an important economic role, including employment provided by Agland, Harsh International and Northern Feed and Bean in Lucerne. As a bedroom community to Greeley and Windsor, Eaton also depends upon the economies of those larger cities. The major employers of Greeley include JBS USA, the University of Northern Colorado, State Farm Insurance, United Agri Products (UAP), Leprino Foods and the North Colorado Medical Center.