Grand Junction, Colorado Population 2024

70,383

Grand Junction is a city located in Mesa County Colorado. Grand Junction has a 2024 population of 70,383. It is also the county seat of Mesa County. Grand Junction is currently growing at a rate of 1.7% annually and its population has increased by 7.15% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 65,685 in 2020.

The average household income in Grand Junction is $84,266 with a poverty rate of 12.57%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. 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.

Grand Junction, Colorado Population and Economy Statistics

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.

Grand Junction Population Growth

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.

Grand Junction Demographics

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Grand Junction was:

  • White: 86.67%
  • Two or more races: 8.72%
  • Other race: 1.84%
  • Asian: 1.23%
  • Black or African American: 0.73%
  • Native American: 0.71%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.09%
Land Area (mi²)
39.5 sq mi
Density (mi²)
1,780.70/sq mi
Growth Since 2020
7.15% (4,698)
The current population of Grand Junction, Colorado is 70,383 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 65,685.

Grand Junction, Colorado Population 2024

Population by Race

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Race
Population
Percentage (of total)
White57,13286.67%
Two or more races5,7478.72%
Other race1,2151.84%
Asian8141.23%
Black or African American4810.73%
Native American4700.71%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander590.09%

White

Two or more races

Other race

Asian

Black or African American

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Grand Junction Population by Race

Grand Junction Population Pyramid 2024

Grand Junction Median Age

39.9

Total

38.4

Male

41.2

Female

Grand Junction Adults

There are 53,900 adults, (13,338 of whom are seniors) in Grand Junction.

Grand Junction Age Dependency

62.5

Age Dependency Ratio

32.9

Old Age Dependency Ratio

29.6

Child Dependency Ratio

Grand Junction Sex Ratio

Female32,77349.72%
Male33,14550.28%

Grand Junction Population by Age

Grand Junction Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type

Household Type
Count
Average Size
Owner
Renter
All28,0932.2462.937.1
Non Family12,8811.3348.351.7
Married11,4832.9985.114.9
Female2,5833.0843.156.9
Male1,1463.045050

2.9

Average Family Size

2.24

Average Household Size

62.9%

Rate of Home Ownership

Married

Male

Female

NonFamily

owner

renter

Grand Junction Households and Families

Male

Female

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Less Than 9th Grade

9th to 12th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Associates Degree

Bachelors Degree

Graduate Degree

Grand Junction Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)

Grand Junction Educational Attainment by Race

High School Graduation Rate

Bachelors Rate

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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%.

Grand Junction Educational Attainment by Race

All

Male

Female

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$43,298

Average Earnings

$48,973

Average Male

$37,937

Average Female

Grand Junction Earnings by Educational Attainment

Grand Junction Language by Age

Only English

Spanish

Other Indo-European Languages

Asian and Pacific Island Languages

Other Languages

Grand Junction Language

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.

Grand Junction Language

Grand Junction Poverty by Race

rate

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Name
Total
In Poverty
Poverty Rate
White49,2765,47111.1%
Hispanic10,1141,74017.2%
Multiple5,16363512.3%
Other1,18325721.72%
Native44415234.23%
Black42913832.17%
Asian77911114.25%

12.57%

Overall Poverty Rate

11.53%

Male Poverty Rate

13.61%

Female Poverty Rate

Poverty in Grand Junction

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%.

Grand Junction Poverty

rate

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Rate
Poverty
Less Than 9th Grade22.25%
High School16.04%
Some College12.05%
Bachelors or Greater3.82%

Grand Junction Poverty Rate by Education

rate

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Rate
Poverty
Male Unemployed24.05%
Female Unemployed13.65%
Female Employed6.98%
Male Employed6.3%

Grand Junction Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex

Grand Junction Income by Household Type

Households

Families

MarriedFamilies

NonFamilies

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mean

median

Income by Household Type

Grand Junction Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Marriage Rates

43.3%

Overall Marriage Rate

44.1%

Male Marriage Rate

42.5%

Female Marriage Rate

Grand Junction Married by Age and Sex

male

female

Grand Junction Marriage

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.

Grand Junction Marital Status by Race

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Grand Junction Marital Status

Second Gulf War

First Gulf War

Vietnam

Korea

World War II

4,854

Number of Veterans

4,464

Male Veterans

390

Female Veterans

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Grand Junction Veterans by War

count

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Grand Junction Veterans by Age

count

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Grand Junction Veterans by Race

Grand Junction Veterans by Education

Less Than 9th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Bachelors or Greater

9.93%

Veteran Poverty Rate

38.24%

Veteran Disability Rate

Grand Junction Veterans by Education

LaborForceParticipation

61.2%

Labor Force Participation

58.2%

Employment Rate

4.7%

Unemployment Rate

Grand Junction Employment by Age

LaborForceParticipation

Grand Junction Employment by Race

LaborForceParticipation

Grand Junction Employment by Education

Origin of Non-Citizens

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.

Origin of Naturalized Citizens

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

Place of Birth

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.

Grand Junction Place of Birth

Note: data after 2022 is projected based on recent change

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Year
Population
Growth
Growth Rate
202976,2551,1741.56%
202875,0811,1751.59%
202773,9061,1741.61%
202672,7321,1751.64%
202571,5571,1741.67%
202470,3831,1751.7%
202369,2081,1741.73%
202268,0341,2141.82%
202166,8201,1351.73%
202065,6852,6054.13%
201963,0804110.66%
201862,6691,1931.94%
201761,4769911.64%
201660,4857351.23%
201559,7505500.93%
201459,200-255-0.43%
201359,455130.02%
201259,4421120.19%
201159,3304880.83%
201058,84200%
200041,98612,95244.61%
199029,0341,0783.86%
198027,9567,78638.6%
197020,1701,4767.9%
196018,6944,19028.89%
195014,5042,02516.23%
194012,4792,23221.78%
193010,2471,58218.26%
19208,66591111.75%
19107,7544,251121.35%
19003,503-72,752-95.41%
showing: 31 rows

Grand Junction Population by Year