Rio Grande County, CO Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Rio Grande County | Colorado Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,185 | 5,847,426 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 12.3 | 56.2 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | -0.32% | 1.14% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 40.6 | 35.3 | 37.1 |
| Households | 5,032 | 2,319,504 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Rio Grande County declined by 3.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 11,394 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Rio Grande County has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | Rio Grande County | Colorado Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,885 | $93,055 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 7.10% | 5.76% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 4.4% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Rio Grande County is about 31% lower than in Colorado.
Housing
| Metric | Rio Grande County | Colorado Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $353,855 | $480,058 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $781 | $1,692 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 68.4% | 66.3% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Rio Grande County is about 37.7 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $781 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Rio Grande County spend about 34 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 143 hours, about 5.9 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Rio Grande County | Colorado Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 17.1 | 22.2 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 34.2 | 44.3 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 143 | 185 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $4,419 | $5,727 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 18.8% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 2,565 | 8,183 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 304 | 1,277 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
Colorado:
Hinsdale County (6.4 min), Rio Blanco County (7.7 min), Prowers County (8.0 min).
Slowest:
Park County (42.2 min), Elbert County (42.2 min), Custer County (30.9 min).
The average commute time in Rio Grande County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Colorado.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Rio Grande County has a education index of D, which means it is barely educated.
| Metric | Rio Grande County | Colorado Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.2% | 40.2% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.21 | 2.45 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
Colorado:
Boulder County (0.5), Douglas County (0.4), Broomfield County (0.4).
Lowest:
Crowley County (0.2), Bent County (0.2), Lincoln County (0.2).
Health
Rio Grande County has a health index of B, which means it is quite healthy.
| Metric | Rio Grande County | Colorado Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 78.9 | 80.0 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 17.8% | 13.2% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 16.9% | 16.1% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
Colorado:
Douglas County (0.9), Boulder County (0.8), Broomfield County (0.8).
Lowest:
Costilla County (0.8), Otero County (0.8), Bent County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rio Grande County, Colorado.
What is the population of Rio Grande County, Colorado?
The population of Rio Grande County, Colorado is 11,185, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Rio Grande County, Colorado?
The population density of Rio Grande County, Colorado is 12.3 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Rio Grande County, Colorado?
The median household income in Rio Grande County, Colorado is $63,885, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Rio Grande County, Colorado?
The median home price in Rio Grande County, Colorado is $353,855, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Rio Grande County, Colorado?
The unemployment rate in Rio Grande County, Colorado is 8.0%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.