County · Colorado
Mesa County, Colorado
Mesa County, Colorado. Mesa County had 162,845 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.6% since 2020, in line with Colorado (+4.1%). It holds 10 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 33 census tracts. GEOID 08077.
Mesa County is the county of the Grand Junction, CO metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
162,845
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 155,703 · ACS 2020-2024: 158,601
Median household income
$73,658
±$2,093 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$378,600
±$6,005 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$1,182
±$43 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
How many people live in Mesa County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 155,703 residents in Mesa County. The Census Bureau estimates 162,845 for July 1, 2025, up 4.6% since 2020, in line with Colorado (+4.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 158,601 over 3,329 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mesa County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 158,601 | 5,862,189 | +7,383 |
| Households | 65,830±622 | 2,374,218 | +4,088 |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.02 | 2.42 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 69,969±90 | 2,589,053 | +3,370 |
Mesa County's population since 2000
From 116,255 in 2000 to 162,845 in 2025: up 40.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Mesa County?
Mesa County holds 10 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Grand Junction with 71,827 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Grand Junction | 65,560 | $70,080 |
|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 20,413 | $52,100 |
| Fruita | 13,395 | $87,184 |
| Redlands | 9,061 | $92,391 |
| Fruitvale | 8,271 | $77,887 |
| Orchard Mesa | 6,688 | $80,359 |
| Palisade | 2,565 | $80,587 |
| LomaGEOID 0845750 | 1,314 | $141,023 |
| De Beque | 493 | $63,558 |
| CollbranGEOID 0815605 | 369 | $50,833 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mesa County?
The median resident of Mesa County is 41.3 years old; 20.4% are under 18 and 21.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 15.5%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mesa County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3±0.4 | 37.7 | +1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 20.4%±0.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.1%±0.1 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15.5% | 22.5% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.4%±0.4 pts | 64.8% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1%±0.5 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.6%±0.7 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.5%±0.6 pts | 7.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±0.9 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.9%±0.9 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.9%±0.8 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.3%±1.2 pts | 45.7% | +4.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.7%±0.7 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0%±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Mesa County earn?
Half of Mesa County's 65,830 households earn less than $73,658 a year (±$2,093), against $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 the median was $68,155 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,503 after inflation. 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mesa County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,658±$2,093 | $95,470 | +$5,503 |
| Mean household income | $95,145±$2,658 | $128,255 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,076±$1,053 | $52,636 | +$3,652 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.7%±1.0 pts | 9.4% | −3.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.1%±2.5 pts | 11.1% | −8.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.3%±1.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.6%±1.0 pts | 93.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Mesa County?
Owners occupy 72.5% of Mesa County's occupied homes and renters 27.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $378,600 by its owner (±$6,005). The median renter pays $1,182 a month including utilities, and 40.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mesa County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $378,600±$6,005 | $539,400 | +$99,232 |
| Median gross rent | $1,182±$43 | $1,761 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.3%±2.7 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,648±$35 | $2,326 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.5%±1.3 pts | 66.2% | +4.3 pts |
| Housing units | 69,969±90 | 2,589,053 | +3,370 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4%±1.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.3%±1.4 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.9%±0.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.1%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.6%±0.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Mesa County building?
Builders took permits for 810 new housing units across Mesa County in 2025 (693 single-family), 5.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Mesa County get to work?
72.0% of Mesa County's workers drive alone and 13.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Mesa County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.9%±1.0 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±0.6 pts | 4.6% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.0%±1.5 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±1.2 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.7%±1.2 pts | 21.0% | +6.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.9 min±0.8 | 25.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Mesa County's census tracts?
Mesa County is divided into 33 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $25,444 (Tract 5) to $115,560 (Tract 16).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mesa County compare with Colorado's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 11th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 19th of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th of 64 |
| Median household income | 32nd of 64 |
| Median home value | 34th of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 30th of 63 |
| Poverty rate | 34th of 63 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 64 |
| Median age | 33rd of 64 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Mesa County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.