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Clifton, CO
Census-designated place in Mesa County, Colorado. ZIP codes: 81520.
Population
19,518
Land area
6sq mi
People per sq mi
3,264
ZIP codes
1
Clifton and its ZIP codes
Clifton at a glance
- Clifton is about 58 times as dense as Colorado as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 41st among 472 cities and towns in Colorado.
- The median household income is $52,100, 45% below the Colorado median of $95,470.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $250,500 (54% below Colorado) and median rent is $1,107 a month.
Local data for Clifton, CO
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Clifton, CO, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$52,100
Poverty rate
15.0%
Median home value
$250,500
Median rent
$1,107/mo
Homeownership
73.4%
Bachelor's or higher
12.7%
Median age
36.3
Average commute
22.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (3,712), German Americans (3,544), Irish Americans (2,337).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Mesa County. PPP loans are for Clifton.
Unemployment rate
4.6%
Aug 2026, +0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$59,480
66,902 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$59,925
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.2B
FY 2026, $8,015 per person
How people get to work
Clifton, CO, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone71.8%
- Carpooled10.0%
- Public transit0.9%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other3.1%
- Worked from home14.2%
Average one-way commute: 22.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Clifton, CO, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
4,003
Countywide, mostly winter weather
Flood insurance policies
201
0.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
93° / 19°F
8.9 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone2 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Clifton, CO, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
32.9%
U.S. 33.3% about the same
Diabetes
10.4%
U.S. 12.1% -1.7 pts
Smoking
16.6%
U.S. 12.8% +3.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
15.7%
U.S. 11.1% +4.6 pts
ZIP codes in Clifton
1 in or overlapping Clifton. Population shown
Cities near Clifton
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| FruitvaleCensus-designated place | 1.1 mi | 2.8 |
| Orchard MesaCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Grand JunctionCity | 5.9 mi | 40.8 |
| PalisadeTown | 6 mi | 1.2 |
| RedlandsCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 12.9 |
| FruitaCity | 15 mi | 8 |
| LomaCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 10.9 |
| De BequeTown | 21 mi | 2.8 |
| CollbranTown | 29 mi | 0.6 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Clifton, CO in?
- Clifton is in Mesa County, Colorado.
- What ZIP codes are in Clifton, CO?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Clifton include 81520.
- What is the population of Clifton, CO?
- About 19,518 people live in Clifton, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Clifton?
- Nearby places include Fruitvale (1.1 mi), Orchard Mesa (4.7 mi), Grand Junction (5.9 mi), Palisade (6 mi), Redlands (12 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023