State
County
Land Area
39.5 sq mi
Density
1,570.2/sq mi
2020 Growth Rate
-2.41%
Growth Since 2010
5.97%
Rank in State
Rank in Country
Metro Population
155,469
Grand Junction is a city located in Colorado. With a 2020 population of 62,062, it is the 17th largest city in Colorado and the 597th largest city in the United States. Grand Junction is currently declining at a rate of -2.41% annually but its population has increased by 5.97% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 58,566 in 2010. Spanning over 40 miles, Grand Junction has a population density of 1,570 people per square mile.
The average household income in Grand Junction is $70,501 with a poverty rate of 15.62%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $935 per month, and the median house value is $237,100. The median age in Grand Junction is 37.1 years, 35.3 years for males, and 39.1 years for females. For every 100 females there are 94.6 males.
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:
2019 and 2020 population is estimated by projecting the raw 2018 numbers.
Year | Total Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 155,469 | 1,259 | 0.81% |
2019 | 154,210 | 1,259 | 0.82% |
2018 | 152,951 | 1,781 | 1.16% |
2017 | 151,170 | 1,434 | 0.95% |
2016 | 149,736 | 1,711 | 1.14% |
2015 | 148,025 | 912 | 0.62% |
2014 | 147,113 | -62 | -0.04% |
2013 | 147,175 | -142 | -0.10% |
2012 | 147,317 | 143 | 0.10% |
2011 | 147,174 | 915 | 0.62% |
2010 | 146,259 | 0.00% |
Race | Population | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White | 57,577 | 92.77% |
Two or More Races | 1,475 | 2.38% |
Some Other Race | 1,040 | 1.68% |
Asian | 772 | 1.24% |
Black or African American | 666 | 1.07% |
American Indian and Alaska Native | 362 | 0.58% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 170 | 0.27% |
Type | Count | Average Size | Owned |
---|---|---|---|
All | 26,282 | 2.26 | 58.1 |
Non Family | 11,948 | 1.32 | 44.5 |
Married | 10,577 | 3.07 | 77.3 |
Female | 2,498 | 2.95 | 47.9 |
Male | 1,259 | 2.98 | 46.4 |
2.94
Average Family Size
2.26
Average Household Size
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 1,293 | 3.10% |
9th to 12th Grade | 2,824 | 6.78% |
High School Graduate | 10,118 | 24.28% |
Some College | 9,605 | 23.05% |
Associates Degree | 3,375 | 8.10% |
Bachelors Degree | 9,313 | 22.35% |
Graduate Degree | 5,150 | 12.36% |
Name | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 34,342 | 32,072 | 13,159 |
Hispanic | 5,803 | 4,173 | 841 |
Other Race | 825 | 571 | 132 |
Multiple Races | 561 | 477 | 122 |
Black | 429 | 394 | 33 |
Asian | 429 | 403 | 306 |
Native American | 267 | 160 | 19 |
Islander | 20 | 20 | 2 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 100.00%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 71.33%.
$36,363
Average Earnings
$41,108
Average Male
$29,695
Average Female
91.96% of Grand Junction residents speak only English, while 8.04% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 6.30% of the population.
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
White | 46,626 | 6,094 | 13.07% |
Hispanic | 9,937 | 2,578 | 25.94% |
Multiple | 1,411 | 304 | 21.55% |
Other | 1,000 | 186 | 18.60% |
Native | 362 | 169 | 46.69% |
Black | 586 | 125 | 21.33% |
Islander | 142 | 84 | 59.15% |
Asian | 761 | 41 | 5.39% |
15.62%
Overall Poverty Rate
14.19%
Male Poverty Rate
16.98%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Grand Junction is Islander, with 59.15% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Grand Junction is Asian, with 5.39% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 2.56%. Among those working part-time, it was 23.67%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 21.66%.
44.5%
Overall Marriage Rate
46.7%
Male Marriage Rate
42.4%
Female Marriage Rate
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 4,152 | 8.96% |
Hispanic | 472 | 6.45% |
Black | 130 | 23.51% |
Other | 59 | 6.38% |
2 or More | 40 | 5.10% |
Indian | 15 | 4.40% |
Asian | 9 | 1.68% |
8.27%
Veteran Poverty Rate
34.64%
Veteran Disability Rate
62.2%
Labor Force Participation
57.9%
Employment Rate
6.9%
Unemployment Rate
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
94.58%
Native Born
5.42%
Foreign Born
2.88%
Non Citizen
2.55%
Naturalized
94.58% of Grand Junction residents were born in the United States, with 46.41% having been born in Colorado. 2.88% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 64,063 | 2,001 | |
2020 | 62,062 | -1,535 | -2.41% |
2019 | 63,597 | 1,535 | |
2019 | 62,062 | -1,069 | -1.69% |
2018 | 63,131 | 1,652 | |
2018 | 61,479 | -516 | -0.83% |
2017 | 61,995 | 1,113 | |
2017 | 60,882 | -354 | -0.58% |
2016 | 61,236 | 606 | |
2016 | 60,630 | 241 | 0.40% |
2015 | 60,389 | 444 | |
2015 | 59,945 | 302 | 0.51% |
2014 | 59,643 | -88 | -100.00% |
2014 | 59,731 | -78 | -0.13% |
2013 | 59,809 | 367 | |
2013 | 59,442 | -218 | -0.37% |
2012 | 59,660 | 793 | |
2012 | 58,867 | -608 | -1.02% |
2011 | 59,475 | 1,996 | |
2011 | 57,479 | -1,367 | -2.32% |
2010 | 58,846 | 280 | |
2010 | 58,566 | 16,580 | 3.38% |
2000 | 41,986 | 12,952 | 3.76% |
1990 | 29,034 | 1,078 | 0.38% |
1980 | 27,956 | 7,786 | 3.32% |
1970 | 20,170 | 1,476 | 0.76% |
1960 | 18,694 | 4,190 | 2.57% |
1950 | 14,504 | 2,025 | 1.52% |
1940 | 12,479 | 2,232 | 1.99% |
1930 | 10,247 | 1,582 | 1.69% |
1920 | 8,665 | 911 | 1.12% |
1910 | 7,754 | 4,251 | 8.27% |
1900 | 3,503 | 0.00% |