Grand Junction is a city located in Mesa County Colorado. Grand Junction has a 2024 population of 70,641. It is also the county seat of Mesa County. Grand Junction is currently growing at a rate of 1.77% annually and its population has increased by 7.48% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 65,725 in 2020.
The average household income in Grand Junction is $84,266 with a poverty rate of 12.57%. The median age in Grand Junction is 39.9 years: 38.4 years for males, and 41.2 years for females.
Grand Junction's location along the Colorado River has given it the nickname of River City. Though it wasn’t incorporated until the late 19th century, Grand Junction has seen major growth in its city limits and its population.
The Mesa County Valley School District 51 is the top employer in the city, providing jobs to over 2,500 people. City Market, St. Mary’s Hospital, the State of Colorado and Mesa County are other top employers in Grand Junction.
Despite some economic hardships, Grand Junction has continued to post population growth at every 10-year census. Though growth had slowed at the time of the 1990 census, it quickly rebounded in 2000, with the population grew from less than 30,000 to almost 42,000 people. The 2010 poll shows that the population increased to over 58,000, reflecting nearly 40% growth since the previous census. Current estimates indicate that the population has risen by 5.7% since the last official count and as the city’s economy continues to grow stronger and more diverse, it’s only natural that the city is expected to see continued growth.
The region that is now Grand Junction was originally inhabited by the Ute tribe. In 1881, the tribe was removed from the land by the government so that Europeans could settle it. A plot of land was purchased by George Addison, a man from Pennsylvania. In 1882m Grand Junction was established and was incorporated as a town.
From the time of settlement, the economy revolved around farming, cattle and fruit orchards. The first vineyard was planted during its early history following European settlement. This resulted in more vineyards and later led to the nickname “Colorado Wine Country.”
Even to this day, the fruit orchards remain a staple to Grand Junction’s economy. Fruits grown in the city include pears, peaches, plums, and wine grapes.
Grand Junction hasn’t just relied on agriculture, hower. It has also been a hotspot for uranium mining and was once the site of the Climax Uranium Mill that provided ore to the Atomic Energy Commission. Oil shale development has also fueled the economy, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Exxon purchased the rights to oil shale reserves, and the city thrived until it left the region and put a strain on the economy in 1982. This period was known as “Black Sunday.”
However, Grand Junction’s economy quickly recovered and became even more diverse. Gas and oil mining and agriculture are among its top industries; however, education and healthcare also contribute significantly to the economy. The city also makes money from tourism, as people from all over the world come to visit nearby Powderhorn Resort and other attractions and ski resorts.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Grand Junction was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
---|---|---|
White | 57,132 | 86.67% |
Two or more races | 5,747 | 8.72% |
Other race | 1,215 | 1.84% |
Asian | 814 | 1.23% |
Black or African American | 481 | 0.73% |
Native American | 470 | 0.71% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 59 | 0.09% |
White
Two or more races
Other race
Asian
Black or African American
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 28,093 | 2.24 | 62.9 | 37.1 |
Non Family | 12,881 | 1.33 | 48.3 | 51.7 |
Married | 11,483 | 2.99 | 85.1 | 14.9 |
Female | 2,583 | 3.08 | 43.1 | 56.9 |
Male | 1,146 | 3.04 | 50 | 50 |
2.9
Average Family Size
2.24
Average Household Size
62.9%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
9th to 12th Grade | 2,616 | 5.69% |
Associates Degree | 3,654 | 7.95% |
Bachelors Degree | 10,618 | 23.09% |
Graduate Degree | 5,583 | 12.14% |
High School Graduate | 11,596 | 25.21% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 782 | 1.7% |
Some College | 11,141 | 24.22% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 37,921 | 35,723 | 14,413 |
Hispanic | 5,961 | 4,952 | 1,110 |
2+ Races | 2,732 | 2,346 | 656 |
Other Race | 838 | 591 | 159 |
Asian | 525 | 435 | 305 |
Native American | 282 | 254 | 35 |
Black | 255 | 245 | 41 |
Islander | 56 | 56 | 0 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 58.1%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelors Degree | $47,940 | $55,752 | $44,983 |
Graduate Degree | $72,092 | $73,292 | $71,458 |
High School Graduate | $41,327 | $50,056 | $30,102 |
Less Than 9th Grade | $32,877 | $40,706 | $31,005 |
Overall | $43,298 | $48,973 | $37,937 |
Some College | $36,902 | $43,715 | $33,276 |
$43,298
Average Earnings
$48,973
Average Male
$37,937
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
93.06% of Grand Junction residents speak only English, while 6.94% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 4.85% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
White | 49,276 | 5,471 | 11.1% |
Hispanic | 10,114 | 1,740 | 17.2% |
Multiple | 5,163 | 635 | 12.3% |
Other | 1,183 | 257 | 21.72% |
Native | 444 | 152 | 34.23% |
Black | 429 | 138 | 32.17% |
Asian | 779 | 111 | 14.25% |
12.57%
Overall Poverty Rate
11.53%
Male Poverty Rate
13.61%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Grand Junction is Native, with 34.23% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Grand Junction is White, with 11.1% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.58%. Among those working part-time, it was 17.27%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 22.07%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 22.25% |
High School | 16.04% |
Some College | 12.05% |
Bachelors or Greater | 3.82% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Male Unemployed | 24.05% |
Female Unemployed | 13.65% |
Female Employed | 6.98% |
Male Employed | 6.3% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
---|---|---|
Families | $83,721 | $104,469 |
Households | $62,993 | $84,266 |
Married Families | $97,181 | $-999,999,999 |
Non Families | $40,933 | $57,594 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
43.3%
Overall Marriage Rate
44.1%
Male Marriage Rate
42.5%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 35-44, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
4,854
Number of Veterans
4,464
Male Veterans
390
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
---|---|
Vietnam | 1,814 |
Second Gulf War | 1,092 |
First Gulf War | 887 |
Korea | 336 |
World War II | 70 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
---|---|
75+ | 1,367 |
65 to 74 | 1,252 |
35 to 54 | 1,027 |
55 to 64 | 671 |
18 to 34 | 537 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 4,352 | 9.11% |
Hispanic | 658 | 8.61% |
2+ Races | 273 | 7.25% |
Other Race | 79 | 7.79% |
Black | 48 | 14.29% |
Native American | 45 | 12.78% |
Asian | 40 | 6.78% |
Islander | 17 | 85% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
9.93%
Veteran Poverty Rate
38.24%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
61.2%
Labor Force Participation
58.2%
Employment Rate
4.7%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
46.69%
Born in Grand Junction
95.85%
Native Born
4.15%
Foreign Born
1.99%
Non Citizen
2.15%
Naturalized
95.85% of Grand Junction residents were born in the United States, with 46.69% having been born in Colorado. 1.99% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 76,786 | 1,229 | 1.63% |
2028 | 75,557 | 1,229 | 1.65% |
2027 | 74,328 | 1,229 | 1.68% |
2026 | 73,099 | 1,229 | 1.71% |
2025 | 71,870 | 1,229 | 1.74% |
2024 | 70,641 | 1,229 | 1.77% |
2023 | 69,412 | 1,396 | 2.05% |
2022 | 68,016 | 1,161 | 1.74% |
2021 | 66,855 | 1,130 | 1.72% |
2020 | 65,725 | 2,645 | 4.19% |
2019 | 63,080 | 411 | 0.66% |
2018 | 62,669 | 1,193 | 1.94% |
2017 | 61,476 | 991 | 1.64% |
2016 | 60,485 | 735 | 1.23% |
2015 | 59,750 | 550 | 0.93% |
2014 | 59,200 | -255 | -0.43% |
2013 | 59,455 | 13 | 0.02% |
2012 | 59,442 | 112 | 0.19% |
2011 | 59,330 | 488 | 0.83% |
2010 | 58,842 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 41,986 | 12,952 | 44.61% |
1990 | 29,034 | 1,078 | 3.86% |
1980 | 27,956 | 7,786 | 38.6% |
1970 | 20,170 | 1,476 | 7.9% |
1960 | 18,694 | 4,190 | 28.89% |
1950 | 14,504 | 2,025 | 16.23% |
1940 | 12,479 | 2,232 | 21.78% |
1930 | 10,247 | 1,582 | 18.26% |
1920 | 8,665 | 911 | 11.75% |
1910 | 7,754 | 4,251 | 121.35% |
1900 | 3,503 | -73,283 | -95.44% |