The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 81524 sells for about $820,000, or $382 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,200 a month.
ZIP 81524
The housing market in 81524 is characterized by low inventory and high price points for rural, large-lot properties. Market activity remains stable, driven by demand for space and proximity to the Grand Junction metro area, though affordability is a challenge for many buyers. Figures for specific metrics like active listings and sales counts are based on current market snapshots.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking rural living, space, and privacy, while remaining within a reasonable driving distance of the Grand Junction metro area.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.5% · poverty 6.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 11.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 81524, Mesa County CO
Crime rates in the Loma area are generally low, consistent with rural Mesa County, with property crime being the primary concern.
Schools serving the area are part of the Mesa County Valley School District 51, which provides a range of public education options for the rural community.
The area faces moderate wildfire risk and standard flood risks associated with the Colorado River basin; property insurance premiums are rising due to regional climate factors.
Economic momentum is driven by agricultural operations and proximity to the growing Fruita and Grand Junction employment hubs, with limited large-scale commercial development.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Colorado) — Statutory Agricultural Land Reclassification and Improvement Valuation: Under C.R.S. § 39-1-102(1.6)(a)(I), up to two acres of land directly underlying a residential improvement on agricultural parcels are segregated and assessed at residential rates (6.80% / 7. State (Colorado) — Colorado Split Residential Property Tax Assessment Rate Structure: Imposes annual ad valorem property taxes determined using a bifurcated assessment rate system. Assessed Value = Actual (Market) Value × Assessment Rate. Beginning for tax years 2025/2026, residential property is assessed at 6. State (Colorado) — Senior and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Homestead Exemption: Exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual market value of the qualifying primary residential parcel from property taxation (a maximum actual value deduction of $100,000).
Commutes are primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling east toward Fruita and Grand Junction via US-6 or I-70 for employment.
The area offers access to rural trails, proximity to the Colorado National Monument, and outdoor recreation along the Colorado River, with limited immediate shopping.
The rental market is limited, consisting mostly of single-family homes; vacancy pressure is low due to the scarcity of rental inventory.
The local economy is anchored by agriculture, with significant employment support from the nearby Grand Junction and Fruita commercial corridors.
Transportation is entirely road-based, relying on local county roads connecting to the I-70 corridor.
Development is largely restricted to low-density residential and agricultural land use.
Mesa County Assessor manages property valuations, typically reassessing on a biennial cycle.
Parcels are served by Mesa County Valley School District 51 and local fire protection districts.
Property insurance costs are increasing due to regional wildfire exposure and general inflationary pressures on construction costs.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ACS tables for ZCTA 81524.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
Provides recreational access for fishing and boating.
Nearby state park offering camping, fishing, and water sports.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.