The Town Files

Rio Grande County, Colorado

11,321 people. The median home is worth $239,500 (typical Colorado town: $471,100) and the median household earns $64,411.

Towns in Rio Grande County

Towns in Rio Grande County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Monte Vista4,247$224,500$61,68436.9

People and housing

Rio Grande CountyTypical Colorado town
Median home value$239,500$471,100
Median rent$945$1,582
Median household income$64,411$86,246
Median age41.740.1
Bachelor's degree or higher34.5%37.8%
Below the poverty line18.0%8.8%

Jobs and pay

4,482 jobs in 2024, average pay $49,025 a year.

Largest industries in Rio Grande CountyAgriculture, forestry & fishi…827 jobs · $42,331Hotels & restaurants430 jobs · $22,158Retail387 jobs · $30,914Wholesale trade302 jobs · $88,060Construction177 jobs · $45,708Manufacturing154 jobs · $47,895
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Rio Grande County0%4%8%12%2000200420082012201620202023 4%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 1,040 storm events in Rio Grande County from 1996 to 2026, with 7 deaths.

Storm events in Rio Grande County by type since 1996Hail12Flood3Drought6Blizzard9Wildfire10Avalanche4High Wind162Heavy Rain4Heavy Snow325Winter Storm470
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Rio Grande County has been included in 9 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
March 28, 2020BiologicalDR-4498: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3436: Covid-19
June 21, 2013FireFM-5031: West Fork Fire Complex
September 5, 2005Coastal StormEM-3224: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation
June 19, 2002FireDR-1421: Wildfires
June 19, 2002FireFM-2428: Million Fire
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).