Colorado

Rio Grande

11,539
2020 population
1880
first census record
15
census records

About Rio Grande

Rio Grande, Colorado, first appears in the United States federal census in 1880, when it recorded a population of 1,944. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 11,539.

Its recorded population peaked at 12,832 in 1950, and has since declined by roughly 10 percent.

On the ground today, 36 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202011,539
201011,982
200012,413
199010,770
198010,511
197010,494
196011,160
195012,832
194012,404
19309,953
19207,855
19106,563
19004,080
18903,451
18801,944
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in Rio Grande

National Register of Historic Places listings in Rio Grande, Colorado.

Spruce Lodge
South Fork
Monte Vista Library
Monte Vista
El Monte Hotel
Monte Vista
Browse all Coloradohistoric sites ›

Other counties in Colorado

Explore census history and historic records for more Colorado counties.

OteroOurayParkPhillipsPitkinProwersPuebloRio BlancoRouttSaguacheSan JuanSan MiguelSedgwickSummitTellerWashingtonWeldYumaAdamsAlamosa
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Rio Grande County, Colorado

This page charts the census history of Rio Grande County, Colorado. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Rio Grande County, Colorado report
Or see a real report first

Explore Colorado records

Coloradohistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Colorado›

Frequently asked about Rio Grande

When does Rio Grande first appear in the US census?
Rio Grande, Colorado first appears in the federal census in 1880, with a recorded population of 1,944.
What is the population of Rio Grande?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Rio Grande had a recorded population of 11,539.
When did Rio Grande's population peak?
Rio Grande's recorded population peaked at 12,832 in 1950.
How many historic places are in Rio Grande?
36 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Rio Grande, Colorado.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report