Your life in Rio Grande County, Colorado

What stands out

Against every county in America, Rio Grande County is unusual in three ways: the average temperature is in the bottom 3% of American counties (42°F), winter sunshine is in the top 3% of American counties (2.2 on the USDA scale), and rainfall is in the bottom 5% of American counties (14 inches a year). Within Colorado it ranks 18th of 64 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Rio Grande County, Colorado. 11,442 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -97).

Colorado's flat income tax is 4.4%, and the TABOR amendment refunds revenue above a spending cap back to taxpayers in strong years. Front Range home prices roughly doubled between 2013 and 2023. The state taxes Social Security for residents under 65 but exempts it fully at 65 and over. Wildfire and hail drive homeowner insurance costs along the mountains and plains respectively.

Money

The typical household here brings in $57,591 a year, lower than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,025. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 76% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,534 a year.

Home

The median home costs $327K, pricier than 75% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $639 a month. Property tax is 0.41% of home value, roughly $830 a year on that median home, lower than 94% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 57% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 28 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.3 years, shorter than 67% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 12.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 14.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.56 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 90% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 19 points. 77% of eligible voters turned out. Under Colorado law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 42°F, highs near 57 and lows near 27, colder than 97% of American counties. About 14 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 25 out of 100, safer than 75% of American counties; the county has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 110 Mbps down, slower than 84% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Colorado tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.