Struggling to Get By
Households Struggling to Get By in Mesa County
Many working families and individuals in Mesa County earn above the Federal Poverty Level — but still can't cover the basics. Thousands find themselves fully employed and still without the economic means to meet their basic needs.Wages simply haven't kept pace with the rising cost of essentials like housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care.
Between 2015 and 2022, starter home prices in Mesa County increased by 96%, rental costs rose by 58%, and median household income grew by just 38%.The median household income for female single parents is less than half of what's required for economic stability for a mother with a preschooler and school-age child.
Mesa County continues to be a childcare desert, with 3.5 children under age five for every licensed childcare slot — a barrier that makes it even harder for working parents to stay employed and financially stable.
These are your neighbors, coworkers, and the essential workers who keep our community running — healthcare aides, educators, restaurant workers, and more. Financial hardship in Mesa County isn't just a poverty issue; it affects households across income levels and household types. Some groups face compounded barriers, including people of color, female single parents, and children. Understanding who is struggling — and why — is the first step toward building a community where everyone can thrive.
