Rio Grande County Crime & Safety

Rio Grande County, Colorado

Safety Score

12/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2648.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

279.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2368.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

12/100

Higher = safer

State avg 43/100

State Safety Rank

#52

of 64 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Rio Grande County, Colorado

Crime Rates Above National Average

Rio Grande County faces higher crime levels than the national norm, with a total rate of 2,648.2 per 100,000 residents. This exceeds the U.S. average of 2,385.5. The county holds a safety score of 95.8, reflecting these challenges.

Struggling Against State Averages

The county's safety score of 95.8 is lower than the Colorado state average of 97.1. Rio Grande's total crime rate of 2,648.2 also sits well above the statewide average of 1,834.6. Local agencies report more incidents per capita than the typical Colorado county.

Elevated Activity in San Luis Valley

Compared to its rural neighbors, Rio Grande County experiences a higher volume of reported crime. Both the violent crime rate (279.7) and property crime rate (2,368.5) are higher than the averages for many neighboring communities. This indicates a more active crime environment in the local valley area.

Property Crime Drives Local Numbers

Property crime is the primary driver of these statistics, with a rate of 2,368.5 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime, while higher than the state average at 279.7, is still lower than the national violent crime rate of 369.8. Residents are more likely to experience theft than personal harm.

Vigilance for Your Property

Because property crime rates are elevated, home security should be a priority for Rio Grande residents. Install motion sensors and secure all entry points to deter theft. Active community participation in reporting suspicious activity helps local law enforcement respond effectively.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Rio Grande County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Rio Grande County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Rio Grande County, CO?

Rio Grande County has a total crime rate of 2648.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (279.7 per 100K) and property crimes (2368.5 per 100K).

Is Rio Grande County, CO safe?

Rio Grande County has a safety score of 12/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #52 out of 64 counties in Colorado for safety (1 = safest).

How does Rio Grande County crime compare to the Colorado average?

What types of crime are most common in Rio Grande County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Rio Grande County?

Crime data for Rio Grande County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Rio Grande County?

Rio Grande County has a safety score of 12/100, which is below the Colorado average of 43/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.