Clifton ZIP Code List — Mesa County, CO

There is one unique ZIP code in Clifton, Colorado and it is 81520. Area code: 970.

ZIP codes

20.55

sq mi land

0.04

sq mi water

970

area code

Clifton, CO ZIP code map

About Clifton, CO

Clifton is a charming city located in Mesa County, Colorado. Known for its friendly community and scenic landscapes, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and access to nature. The city serves as a convenient residential area for those who enjoy the tranquility of suburban life while being close to larger urban centers.

Location & geography

Clifton is situated in the western part of Colorado, nestled near the Colorado River. This city is bordered by the cities of Grand Junction to the west, Palisade to the east, Fruita to the northwest, and Orchard Mesa to the southwest, with distances of approximately 5 miles to each. The total land area of Clifton spans 20.55 square miles, with a small water area of 0.04 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of the community in Clifton is warm and inviting, making it a wonderful place for families and individuals alike. The local economy is supported by various small businesses, agriculture, and some light industry, contributing to a close-knit community atmosphere. Daily life in Clifton features a mix of outdoor activities due to its proximity to beautiful natural landscapes, along with local events that foster community spirit.

Transportation

Transportation options in Clifton include easy access to major highways such as U.S. Route 6 and Interstate 70, facilitating travel to neighboring cities and beyond. The nearest airport is the Grand Junction Regional Airport, which is approximately 10 miles away. Public transit services are available, offering connections to surrounding areas and making commuting convenient for residents.

History

Clifton was settled in the early 20th century, primarily serving agricultural interests in the region. Over the years, the city has grown and developed, with key industries reflecting the agricultural heritage of the area. Notable events in the city's history include the expansion of infrastructure in the mid-1900s, paving the way for suburban growth and development.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Clifton is that it has a historical significance tied to the fruit-growing industry, particularly grape production. This legacy continues to influence local agriculture and community events focused on celebrating the region's agricultural roots.

ZIP codes for Clifton, CO (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
81520	Clifton	Mesa	View map

Demographics & statistics

13,682

Population

35.5

Median age

$49,796

Median household income

$26,218

Per capita income

$198,500

Median home value

$1,026

Median monthly rent

65.5%

Home ownership

20.0%

Poverty rate

6.5%

Unemployment

3,742

Housing units

12.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

460

Under 5

481

456

5–9

477

296

10–14

310

569

15–19

596

562

20–24

588

944

25–34

988

913

35–44

957

792

45–54

829

319

55–59

334

395

60–64

413

679

65–74

710

205

75–84

214

85+

100

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,177	23.2%
18 and over	10,505	76.8%
65 and over	2,003	14.6%
Median age	35.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85%

Hispanic or Latino 4.8%

Two or more races 4.6%

Other race 2.2%

Asian 2.1%

Black or African American 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	12,224	85%
Hispanic or Latino	695	4.8%
Two or more races	656	4.6%
Other race	311	2.2%
Asian	305	2.1%
Black or African American	114	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	71	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 9.6%

$10k–$15k 4.2%

$15k–$25k 9.7%

$25k–$35k 13.4%

$35k–$50k 13.4%

$50k–$75k 17.7%

$75k–$100k 10.6%

$100k–$150k 12.3%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k+ 3.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.6%
$10k–$15k	4.2%
$15k–$25k	9.7%
$25k–$35k	13.4%
$35k–$50k	13.4%
$50k–$75k	17.7%
$75k–$100k	10.6%
$100k–$150k	12.3%
$150k–$200k	5.5%
$200k+	3.5%
Median income	$49,796

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.9%

$50k–$100k 9.4%

$100k–$150k 8.1%

$150k–$200k 19.4%

$200k–$300k 28.9%

$300k–$500k 13.4%

$500k–$1M 5.5%

$1M+ 1.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$198,500
Median rent / month	$1,026
Owner occupied	65.5%
Renter occupied	34.5%
Vacant	5.0%
Single-family detached	57.4%
Large apartment buildings	1.2%
Mobile homes	22.9%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.74

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	3.0%
2000–2009	17.3%
1990–1999	13.5%
1980–1989	19.8%
1970–1979	29.5%
1960–1969	5.9%
1950–1959	2.8%
1940–1949	1.9%
1939 or earlier	5.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.5%
1 bedroom	1.8%
2 bedrooms	24.8%
3 bedrooms	59.3%
4 bedrooms	12.2%
5+ bedrooms	0.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.9%
1 vehicle	35.2%
2 vehicles	32.6%
3 or more	27.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	81.4%
Electricity	12.7%
Propane / LP gas	3.2%
Wood	2.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,260	42.7%
Cohabiting couple	279	5.3%
Male householder, no spouse	1,077	20.4%
Female householder, no spouse	1,671	31.6%
Households with children under 18	1,848	35.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,628	30.8%
Average household size	2.58

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.5%	29.4%
Married	45.7%	44.9%
Separated	0.7%	2.6%
Widowed	3.3%	7.2%
Divorced	14.9%	15.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.4%

Some HS, no diploma 9.7%

HS graduate 33.5%

Some college, no degree 31.1%

Associate's degree 7.7%

Bachelor's degree 9.2%

Graduate / professional 3.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.9%
Bachelor's or higher	12.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	155	4.9%
Kindergarten	110	3.5%
Elementary school	1,322	42.2%
High school	848	27.0%
College / grad school	701	22.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.1%

Retail trade 16.1%

Construction 10.4%

Transportation & utilities 8.8%

Professional & management 7.6%

Finance & real estate 7.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.3%

Other services 6.8%

Public administration 4.7%

Agriculture & mining 4.5%

Manufacturing 4.5%

Information 2.7%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	21.6%
Service	26.2%
Sales & office	21.1%
Natural resources & construction	13.7%
Production & transportation	17.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.2%
Government	11.7%
Self-employed	7.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.5%
Carpool	8.0%
Public transit	1.2%
Walk	3.3%
Other means	4.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.4

Poverty

All people 20.0%

Under 18 years 34.0%

18 and over 15.8%

Married-couple families 9.4%

Female-led households 37.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	33.9%
Retirement income	17.3%
Supplemental Security	4.5%
Cash public assistance	1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	21.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	27.3%
High cholesterol	27.7%
Heart disease	6.2%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	11.4%
Arthritis	24.0%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.2%
Cancer	5.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.4%
No physical activity	23.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.6%
Fair or poor health	17.1%
Poor mental health	17.2%
Poor physical health	12.5%
No health insurance	19.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	64.9%
Visited dentist	52.7%
Cholesterol screening	84.6%
Teeth loss	19.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	877	8.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.6%
Under 18	3.7%
18–64 years	11.8%
65 and over	30.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	51.5%
Public insurance	49.1%
Uninsured under 19	8.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	12,741	93.1%
Spanish	510	4.0%
Other Indo-European	377	3.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	45	0.4%
Other languages	88	0.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	12,726	93.0%
Born in same state	12,629	92.3%
Born in different state	7,544	55.1%
Foreign born	97	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	956	7.0%
Not a US citizen	289	30.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,558	11.4%
French	1,298	9.5%
Arab	352	2.6%
Dutch	242	1.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	91	0.7%
Polish	73	0.5%
German	32	0.2%
Irish	6	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.6%
Internet access	94.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Clifton, CO?

Clifton, CO has one ZIP code: 81520.

What is the main ZIP code for Clifton, CO?

The primary ZIP code for Clifton, CO is 81520. The city uses area code 970 for phone service.

What county is Clifton, CO in?

Clifton is located in Mesa County, Colorado.

How many ZIP codes are in Clifton, CO?

Clifton, CO has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing packages to businesses in downtown Clifton, Colorado?

All mail destined for downtown Clifton and the surrounding commercial areas uses the ZIP code 81520, which is the sole ZIP code serving the city.

If I'm sending a letter to a residential address in Clifton near the Palisade area, what ZIP code do I need?

Residential addresses in Clifton, including those near the Palisade border, should use ZIP code 81520, as this is the only ZIP code assigned to Clifton.