County · Colorado
Rio Grande County, Colorado
Rio Grande County, Colorado. Rio Grande County had 11,087 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.9% since 2020, while Colorado grew 4.1%. It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 08105.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,087
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,539 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,321
Median household income
$64,411
±$8,434 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$239,500
±$11,591 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$945
±$141 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
How many people live in Rio Grande County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,539 residents in Rio Grande County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,087 for July 1, 2025, down 3.9% since 2020, while Colorado grew 4.1%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,321 over 912 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rio Grande County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,321 | 5,862,189 | +16 |
| Households | 5,133±227 | 2,374,218 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.16±0.10 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,616±25 | 2,589,053 | −190 |
Rio Grande County's population since 2000
From 12,413 in 2000 to 11,087 in 2025: down 10.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rio Grande County?
Rio Grande County holds 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Monte Vista with 4,005 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Monte Vista | 4,247 | $61,684 |
|---|---|---|
| Del Norte | 1,458 | $40,700 |
| South ForkGEOID 0872395 | 510 | $76,250 |
| GerrardGEOID 0829845 | 264 | $76,181 |
| AlpineGEOID 0801640 | 169 | not published |
| Center | 1,929 | $45,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rio Grande County?
The median resident of Rio Grande County is 41.7 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 22.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 54.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 40.7%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rio Grande County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7±1.5 | 37.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.1%±0.4 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.8%±0.2 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 40.7% | 22.5% | −3.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 54.7%±0.5 pts | 64.8% | +2.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±1.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8%±2.0 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.1%±3.9 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±1.2 pts | 7.5% | – |
| With a disability | 17.3%±2.6 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.7%±3.2 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.5%±3.3 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.5%±4.3 pts | 45.7% | +10.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.1%±3.3 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4%±1.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rio Grande County earn?
Half of Rio Grande County's 5,133 households earn less than $64,411 a year (±$8,434), against $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 the median was $48,148 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $16,263 after inflation. 18.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rio Grande County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,411±$8,434 | $95,470 | +$16,263 |
| Mean household income | $85,497±$9,928 | $128,255 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,615±$4,518 | $52,636 | +$9,362 |
| People below the poverty line | 18.0%±5.4 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.4%±9.2 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.0%±4.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.2%±3.1 pts | 93.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rio Grande County?
Owners occupy 67.1% of Rio Grande County's occupied homes and renters 32.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $239,500 by its owner (±$11,591). The median renter pays $945 a month including utilities, and 36.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rio Grande County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $239,500±$11,591 | $539,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $945±$141 | $1,761 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.2%±12.3 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,315±$99 | $2,326 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.1%±4.8 pts | 66.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,616±25 | 2,589,053 | −190 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7%±8.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.5%±4.0 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.5%±2.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.1%±3.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rio Grande County building?
Builders took permits for 42 new housing units across Rio Grande County in 2025 (34 single-family), 3.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rio Grande County get to work?
73.7% of Rio Grande County's workers drive alone and 9.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.1%.
| Measure | Rio Grande County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.8%±2.7 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.1%±4.1 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.7%±4.8 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±4.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±1.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.3%±2.9 pts | 21.0% | +4.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.2 min±2.4 | 25.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Rio Grande County's census tracts?
Rio Grande County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,600 (Tract 9768) to $86,297 (Tract 9770.02).
| Tract 976708105976700 | 4,829±291 | $62,246 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 976808105976800 | 1,784±235 | $40,600 |
| Tract 9770.0108105977001 | 2,154±261 | $77,379 |
| Tract 9770.0208105977002 | 2,554±336 | $86,297 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rio Grande County compare with Colorado's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 37th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 55th of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 64 |
| Median household income | 43rd of 64 |
| Median home value | 48th of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 46th of 63 |
| Poverty rate | 10th of 63 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th of 64 |
| Median age | 32nd of 64 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rio Grande County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.