Grand Junction, Colorado
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Grand Junction is a city located in Mesa County, Colorado, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 41,986. It is the county seat of Mesa CountyTemplate:GR. The city is largest population center on the Colorado Western Slope, unofficially serving as the capital of the region. The local television stations serve as a major media source for the region, in the way that those in Denver do for the Colorado Front Range to the east.
The city located along the north side of Colorado River where it receives the Gunnison River from south. The name "Grand" refers to the historical name of the upper Colorado used by locals in the late 19th and early 20th century. The city sits near the mid-point of 30-mile (48 km) arcing valley, known as the Grand Valley, that is a major fruit growing region, historically home to the Ute people and settled by white farmers in the 1880s. In recent years, several wineries have been established in the area as well. The Colorado National Monument, a series of canyons and mesas similar to the Grand Canyon, overlook the city. Interstate 70 connects the city eastward to Glenwood Springs and Denver.
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Geography
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Location of Grand Junction, Colorado
Grand Junction is located at 39°4'50" North, 108°33'33" West (39.080531, -108.559097)Template:GR. It is about 25 miles east of the Utah State Line on Interstate 70. It is about 4800 feet above sea level in what is called 'high desert' country.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 80.5 km² (31.1 mi²). 79.8 km² (30.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.87% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 41,986 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 population, 11.8% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Weather
- Summer: Usually warm and dry. The record high temperature is 105 Degrees Fahrenheit. Average highs in the low 90s; average lows in the 60s. Precipitation events are uncommon.
- Winter: Mostly mild. Frequent snows are light and usually melt away quickly. Even the heavy snows of 4 to 8 inches (rare) disappear quickly. Temperatures vary between the 40s and 20s.
Points of interest
External links
- City of Grand Junction (http://www.gjcity.org/) (official website)
