How Big Is Grand Junction, Colorado?

Grand Junction, Colorado is the largest city in the 518 mile stretch between Denver and Salt Lake City.

Grand Junction's Continued Growth

The estimated population of Grand Junction is just under 64,000 - a dramatic difference from the 2,020 people living here in 1890, according to that year's census. Over the years, Grand Junction has seen steady growth though it has experienced its biggest growth spurt over the past 30 years. From 1990 to 2000, Grand Junction saw its population explode by 44% - the biggest 10-year increase since 1910. Since 2000, Grand Junction has increased by more than 51%.

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Slowing Growth in Recent Years

According to Wikipedia, It took 100 years for Grand Junction to reach a population of 29,000, but only 30 years after that to double in size. However, according to City Data, with an estimated population in 2019 of 63,597, Grand Junction's growth has greatly slowed over the past 10 years with an increase of just over 8%. Those numbers are also reflected in the Grand Junction Metropolitan Area which is estimated to be 154, 210 in 2019- a growth of just 5.1% since 2010.

An interesting factoid is that in 1940 Grand Junction was about as big as Fruita is today - around 13,000. At that time, Fruita's population was less than 1,500.

Grand Junction has seen its share of good times as well as some dark days but has well-established itself as the major trade center in western Colorado. For many folks in western Colorado and eastern Utah, a trip to Grand Junction is a trip to the big city.

Here's a look at how Grand Junction's population has grown over the past 130 years.

See How Much Grand Junction's Population Has Grown Over the Years

Grand Junction is the largest city between Denver and Salt Lake City with a population of just under 64,000. Over the years, Grand Junction has steadily increased in size. While its growth has slowed in recent years, the population has more than doubled since 1990. The following graphics show how Grand Junction has grown over the last 130 years.

These Photos Show Grand Junction's Drastic Change in a Few Short Years

Grand Junction is growing, there's no doubt about that. These photos from 2008 to now show just how much our small town has changed. In some cases, we have seen dramatic changes with brand new construction, and in some cases, we have seen changes in how we get around Grand Junction. Whether you have been in Grand Junction for a long time or you are a relative newcomer, you can enjoy this look back at how things have changed in Grand Junction over the past 13 years.