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Mesa County, Colorado facts for kids

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Mesa County
Old Mesa County Courthouse in Grand Junction
Old Mesa County Courthouse in Grand Junction
Map of Colorado highlighting Mesa County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Map of the United States highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Colorado
Founded February 14, 1883
Named for Mesas in the area
Seat Grand Junction
Largest city Grand Junction
Area
 • Total 3,341 sq mi (8,650 km2)
 • Land 3,329 sq mi (8,620 km2)
 • Water 12 sq mi (30 km2)  0.4%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 155,703
 • Density 47/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district 3rd
Mesa State Park

Mesa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 155,703. The county seat and most populous municipality is Grand Junction. The county was named for the many large mesas in the area, including the Grand Mesa, which is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world.

Mesa County comprises the Grand Junction, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2020 it ranked as the 271st most populous metropolitan area in the United States. It is the only metropolitan area in Colorado not located on the Front Range.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,341 square miles (8,650 km2), of which 3,329 square miles (8,620 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (0.4%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county by area in Colorado.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • I-70 (CO).svg Interstate 70
  • I-70 Bus.
  • I-70 Bus.
  • US 6.svg U.S. Highway 6
  • US 50.svg U.S. Highway 50
  • Colorado 65.svg State Highway 65
  • Colorado 139.svg State Highway 139
  • Colorado 141.svg State Highway 141
  • Colorado 330.svg State Highway 330
  • Colorado 340.svg State Highway 340
  • 45 1/2 Rd

National protected areas

State protected areas

Trails and byways

  • American Discovery Trail
  • Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway National Scenic Byway
  • Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway
  • Kokopelli Trail
  • Old Spanish National Historic Trail
  • Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway
  • Colorado Riverfront Trail

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 4,260
1900 9,267 117.5%
1910 22,197 139.5%
1920 22,281 0.4%
1930 25,908 16.3%
1940 33,791 30.4%
1950 38,794 14.8%
1960 50,715 30.7%
1970 54,734 7.9%
1980 81,530 49.0%
1990 93,145 14.2%
2000 116,255 24.8%
2010 146,723 26.2%
2020 155,703 6.1%
2023 (est.) 159,681 8.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the census of 2010, there were 146,723 people, 58,095 households, and 38,593 families living in the county. The population density was 44.1 people per square mile (17.0 people/km2). There were 62,644 housing units. According to the 2000 American Factfinder data, the racial makeup of the county was 92.34% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.91% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.67% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 10.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 45,823 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, 25.00% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.40% was from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,864, and the median income for a family was $43,009. Males had a median income of $32,316 versus $22,374 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,715. About 7.00% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places

Transportation

Road

Air

Downtown Grand Junction is 4.8 miles from Grand Junction Regional Airport, 25 miles from Mack Mesa Airport, and 12.6 miles from Pinyon Airport.

Train

An Amtrak station is in downtown Grand Junction. The California Zephyr makes daily stops on its way between San Francisco and Chicago.

Bus

A regional Bustang bus stop is in Grand Junction. Grand Valley Transit serves the area's eleven fixed routes.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Mesa para niños

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