Delta

Delta is a small city located on the remote western slope of Colorado. Although Delta has a history riddled with crime and poverty, the town is definitely on the up-and-up. This is a great place for families or couples who want to be near enough to a city for shopping and night life, but still feel close to the mountains. Grand Junction is only a forty minute drive from Delta; the Grand Mesa is also about a forty minute drive. It's a perfect balance between rural and suburban life.

If you're looking for a quiet getaway within the city limits, Confluence Park is a beautiful area for swimming / canoeing / fishing / hiking. There are walking trails, jungle gyms, and designated swimming, fishing, and boating areas - all surrounding Confluence Lake. Unfortunately, there are no real campgrounds or moderate to difficult hiking trails; but it is a great place to spend a day of peace and quiet.

Delta is on the western slope of Colorado and has about 9,000 residents. Although it's a pretty good size, the next largest city to it is Grand Junction which is about a 45 minute drive away. Delta is at the confluence of the Uncompahgre and the Gunnison rivers, hence the name. These rivers are great for fishing and there are many other outdoor activities a person can enjoy. There's plenty of camping, hunting, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity you can imagine in and around Delta. Retail is the largest industry here followed by health care. The median household income here is estimated at $38,411 which is about $17,000 less than the state average. However, the average median home price here is also much lower than the states average. In Delta it's $159,380 compared to the Colorado average of $237,800.

The town of Delta originally got its start as a trading post for the Ute indians and pioneers. The State of Colorado officially named Delta County in 1883, although Fort Uncompahgre had originally been built in 1828. There are many older buildings in town and visitors can get a lot of information about Delta's history from Delta County Historical Museum. The museum has many interesting artifacts from the pioneer days, as well as other exhibits.

About 71% of the population is white, followed by 26% Hispanic. The major industry here is retail, followed by health care, and then construction. Unfortunately, Delta has a high crime rate, and it is over the national average some years.