As of the census of 2000, there were 17,159 people, 6,877 households, and 3,913 families residing in the city. The population density was 735.3/km² (1,905.1/mi²). There were 7,146 housing units at an average density of 306.2/km² (793.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.66% White, 1.03% Black or African American, 1.05% Native American, 2.99% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.98% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. 6.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,877 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 16.9% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 120.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,115, and the median income for a family was $67,414. Males had a median income of $41,822 versus $32,413 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,257. About 3.5% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
The main part of Golden is laid out upon a historic street grid system running on an approximately northwest-southeast axis, aligned with Clear Creek upon which the heart of the city was established. Most of these are paved streets with a total 66-foot right of way, including area for sidewalks which in older areas are often separated by a landscaped strip from the street featuring beautiful and historic trees. The only historic street in the grid not named "street" is the main thoroughfare, Washington Avenue, an 80-foot right of way featuring a downtown care streetscape with trees, planters, brick, flagstone and ornamental street lights. Golden's streets are generally numbered on the east-west streets, and named on the north-south streets, and are named after pioneers, American Indian tribes and trees. The streets of the southeasterly part of town are aligned with the Denver metropolitan street grid, which are aligned directly with the true directions of the compass, and they share the names of the Denver grid. Outlying subdivisions of Golden consist of their own, often curvilinear street systems, of various degrees of connection with the rest of the city. Golden has several main thoroughfare street connections to the east which date to the Gold Rush times, including West 44th Avenue, West 32nd Avenue and South Golden Road.
Golden has since its beginning been at a crossroads of major Colorado thoroughfares. Today Interstate 70 runs through the southern part of the city, which connects to the northern terminus of SH 470 which runs to the south. Highway 6, which turns into 6th Avenue, is a historic thoroughfare (built in 1950) which runs east-west through the southern part of the city then curves northward through the western part of Golden, ultimately arriving at the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon. Highway 93, which traces its roots to the 1860s, continues north through the western part of the city from the canyon and northward towards Boulder. Highway 58 bisects Golden on an east-west route between 6th and 7th Streets, and ultimately joins to go up Clear Creek Canyon. West Colfax Avenue, the historic state Highway 40, runs on an approximately northeast-southwest route through the southern end of the city and turns westward up Mt. Vernon Canyon paralleling I-70.
The city of Golden is part of the network of the Regional Transportation District which provides bus and light rail service throughout the Denver metropolitan area. Its bus routes 16, 16L, 17, 44L and GS connect the city with other points of the Denver metropolitan area and Boulder. Currently under construction is the West Corridor of the FasTracks light rail line, which will parallel 6th Avenue into Golden to its terminal at the Jefferson County Government Center. It is a modern rendition of the historic trolley line which Golden interests spearheaded in the 1890s. Although no longer carrying passengers, Golden continues to be served by railroad transportation for cargo, and has been continuously since 1870. These lines are owned by the BNSF railroad and serve business interests in the northeastern end of the city. Within the Coors Brewery grounds it becomes the brewery's own in-house railroad. The recreational miniature gauge Rio Golden Railroad serves passengers at Heritage Square.
The closest airport to Golden is nearby Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, a general aviation air transport facility located in northeastern Jefferson County. Passenger traffic generally uses Denver International Airport in northeastern Denver.