About Grand Junction and the Area

About Grand Junction

Grand Junction Community Profile 2010

Grand Junction Demographics

Grand Junction Map

Grand Junction Elementary Schools

Grand Junction High Schools

Grand Junction Middle Schools

Grand Junction Subdivisions

Grand Junction Weather

About Grand Junction, Colorado

The City of Grand Junction, located near the Utah border at the western edge of Colorado, is the western gateway to the state. Divided roughly in half on a north-south axis by the continental divide and the Rockies, Colorado is split into the Eastern and Western slope areas.

This verdant valley located on the edge of the High Desert in the southwest United States is so named for the confluence of the Gunnison and Grand (now Colorado) Rivers, and was the last stopover for many travelers as they headed into the "great western desert" on the way to gold and silver in California and Nevada.

With a population of about 50,000 in a county of about 100,000 (Mesa County), Grand Junction is the final large service center as you head west on the U.S. Interstate I-70 corridor. Grand Junction is centrally located within a 4-5 hour driving distance from many public recreation areas and National Parks:

• Arapahoe National Forest
• Aspen Ski Area
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
• Canyonlands National Park
• Colorado National Monument
• Copper Mountain Ski Area
• Crested Butte Ski Area
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Flatop Wilderness Area
• Fishlake National Forest
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Glenwood Canyon
• Grand Mesa National Forest
• Great Salt Lake Desert
• Gunnison National Forest
• Lake Powell Recreation Area
• Mesa National Forest
• Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Area
• Pike National Forest
• Powderhorn Ski Area
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Routt National Forest
• San Isabel National Forest
• Salt Lake City
• San Juan National Forest
• Steamboat Ski Area
• Sunlight Mountain Ski Area
• Uncompahgre National Forest
• Vail Ski Area
• White River National Forest
• Winter Park Ski Area
• Zion National Park

A blend of old and new make Grand Junction unique as visitors find arts, theater, botanical gardens and a symphony orchestra as well as a four-year liberal arts college (Colorado Mesa University). Residents and visitors alike enjoy the many outdoor opportunities for fishing, skiing, hiking, biking and climbing. At the same time, paleontologists of all ages will appreciate the wealth of dinosaur bones and sites in the area.

This mild climate of the high-desert at an elevation of about 4,600 feet coupled with about 270 days of sunshine a year make the Grand Valley a perfect location for anyone seeking a temperate place to live with lots of opportunity for education and recreation.

This combination of fertile ground, water and temperate climate create an ideal place to grow fruits and the Palisade area of the valley is noted for peaches, apples, apricots and cherries. Forty-miles due south in the Olathe area, a highly prized variety of sweet corn is grown and shipped all over the county. During the past 20 years, the Colorado wine industry has grown in both size and reputation. The vineyards of the Grand Valley contribute in no small measure to these well-earned accolades.

Jeptha is ready to provide you with the services you need if you wish to buy or sell a home in the Grand Junction area. Drop her a line or give her a call if you have questions about any homes available in this magnificent area of Western Colorado!

Grand Junction, Colorado Demographics

Elevation: 4597 feet

Telephone Area Code: 970

Zip Codes: 81501 through 81507

Colorado County: Mesa

As of the U.S. Census of 2000, there are 46,898 people, 17,865 households, and 10,540 families residing in the city. The population density is 526.2/km² (1,362.6/mi²). There are 18,784 housing units at an average density of 235.4/km² (609.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.78% White, 0.60% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 3.81% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 10.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 17,865 households out of which 25.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% are married couples living together, 9.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% are non-families. 33.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 2.84.

In the city the population is spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $33,152, and the median income for a family is $43,851. Males have a median income of $31,685 versus $22,804 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,692. 11.9% of the population and 7.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.8% are under the age of 18 and 9.0% are 65 or older.