Grand Junction, CO Local Data & Statistics

State: CO

Total population: 68,142 Household income: $70,080 Rent: $1,142

Overview

Total population

68,142

Rent

$1,142

Year built

1988

Household income

$70,080

Per capita income

$41,208

Poverty rate

11.8%

Unemployment rate

4.4%

Household size

2.2 persons

Rent over 30% of income

44%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Colorado

Total population

68,142

Adults over 25

48,258

Total households

29,935

Household size

2.2 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$70,080

Per capita income

$41,208

Poverty rate

11.8%

Unemployment rate

4.4%

Rent over 30% of income

44%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,142

Year built

1988

Households that rent

36.5%

Households that own

63.5%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.2

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

81.3%

Black

0.8%

Asian

1.1%

Two or more races

12.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

17%

Not Hispanic or Latino

83%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

88.1%

Commute time to work

16 mins

Work from home

11.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

27.6%

High school graduate or GED

23.7%

Some college or associate degree

10.6%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

38.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Grand Junction, CO with: Colorado United States

Grand Junction, CO

Total population68,142

Rent$1,142

Year built1988

Household income$70,080

Per capita income$41,208

Poverty rate11.8%

Unemployment rate4.4%

Colorado State

Total population5,862,189

Rent$1,761

Year built1988

Household income$95,470

Per capita income$52,636

Poverty rate9.4%

Unemployment rate4.3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityGrand Junction, CO	StateColorado	CountryUnited States
Total population	68,142	5,862,189	334,922,499
Rent	$1,142	$1,761	$1,413
Year built	1988	1988	1980
Household income	$70,080	$95,470	$80,734
Per capita income	$41,208	$52,636	$44,673
Poverty rate	11.8%	9.4%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	4.4%	4.3%	4%

View the complete comparison of Grand Junction, CO, Colorado and United States →

Summary for Grand Junction, CO

Grand Junction is located in Colorado.

Rent & Income

In Grand Junction, the typical monthly rent is $1,142 and the typical household income is $70,080. Rent here is lower than in both Colorado and the U.S., and household income is also lower than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 11.8%, which is higher than the Colorado rate but lower than the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 36.5% of households. About 44% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 38.1% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is similar to Colorado and higher than the national rate.

Grand Junction, CO — Rent vs Household Income

Grand Junction, CO — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Grand Junction, CO compares in Colorado (19 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,142	2 / 19	from lower rent	$1,082 – $2,148
Household income	$70,080	17 / 19	from higher income	$56,664 – $145,197
Poverty rate	11.8%	14 / 19	from lower poverty	3.3% – 21.5%
Unemployment rate	4.4%	7 / 19	from lower unemployment	3.9% – 6.6%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Colorado with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Grand Junction, CO

Rent

In rent comparisons, Grand Junction comes in 2nd out of 19 large places. Across Colorado, rents vary from $1,082 in Pueblo, CO to $2,148 in Centennial, CO.

Household income

Looking at household income, Grand Junction places 17th out of 19 significant areas. Incomes across Colorado range between $56,664 in Pueblo, CO and $145,197 in Castle Rock, CO.

Poverty rate

Grand Junction places 14th out of 19 large communities for poverty. Statewide figures move from 3.3% in Centennial, CO up to 21.5% in Boulder, CO.

Unemployment rate

For unemployment, Grand Junction ranks 7th out of 19 large places. Across Colorado, unemployment ranges from 3.9% in Fort Collins, CO to 6.6% in Pueblo, CO.

💰 Rent in Grand Junction, CO (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,142 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Grand Junction, CO

Annual Household Income: $70,080

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Grand Junction, CO

Estimated Rate: 11.8%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Grand Junction, CO

In Grand Junction, CO, households that rent: 10,912 (36.5%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	10,912	36.5%
Owner-Occupied	19,023	63.5%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Grand Junction, CO

In Grand Junction, CO, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 4,804 (44%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	4,804	44%
Other renter households	6,108	56%
Total renter households	10,912	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Grand Junction, CO

Less than High School: 13,328 people (27.6%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 11,452 people (23.7%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 5,109 people (10.6%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 18,369 people (38.1%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 48,258

📊 Unemployment Rate in Grand Junction, CO

Estimated Rate: 4.4%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Union City, CA68,141 Eagan, MN68,158 Shawnee, KS68,175 Jackson, TN68,098 Weston, FL67,952 Albany, GA67,939 Leander, TX67,880 Portland, ME68,505 Apex, NC67,765 Schenectady, NY68,521

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.