Saguache County Public RecordsColorado

As of 2023, Saguache County, Colorado, has an estimated population of about 6,400. The median age is approximately 48 years. Around 50.2% of residents are male and 49.8% female. Racially, the county is about 73% White, 2% Native American, 0.6% African American, 0.7% Asian, and 20% from other races; about 43% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. The area has a relatively older, diverse population for its region.

Saguache County, CO has about 3,200 registered voters as of 2024, with affiliations typically split among Democrats (roughly 38%), Republicans (33%), and Unaffiliated (29%). The county holds general, primary, and local elections, with recent presidential election turnout around 72%. In 2020, Biden received 51% and Trump 46% of presidential votes. Major issues include water rights and public lands. Polling places include the Saguache County Courthouse and Crestone Town Hall. Elections are administered by the County Clerk; mail ballots are common. Both Democratic and Republican parties are active locally, hosting events and voter outreach.

Saguache County, CO, serves around 1,200 K-12 students in 8 public schools, including Mountain Valley and Moffat schools. High school graduation rates average approximately 85%, while about 17% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools generally earn Colorado School Performance Framework scores in the “Performance” or “Improvement” bands. The county emphasizes small class sizes and offers programs in agriculture, arts, and STEM. School safety incidents remain below the state average. Adult education is available via local workshops and online programs, supporting lifelong learning in this rural community.

As of 2022, Saguache County, CO, had an employment rate of approximately 54.2%. The leading industries are Health Care & Social Assistance (22.3%), Educational Services (13.5%), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (11.8%). The most common occupation types include Management (14.7%) and Education, Training, & Library (12.2%). About 65% of workers commute outside their home city for work, with an average commute time of 20.3 minutes. Most employment locations are within Saguache County, but significant numbers work in neighboring Alamosa and Chaffee counties.

Saguache County, CO, has a homeownership rate of around 74%, with median home values near $230,000 as of 2023. Rental options are limited, with a median rent of roughly $850. Housing primarily consists of single-family homes, manufactured homes, and rural properties. Neighborhoods are small, centered around towns like Saguache and Crestone. Property values have risen approximately 8% year-over-year. Property tax rates average 0.55% of assessed value, among the lowest in Colorado. The county maintains a rural character, with open land and scenic mountain views.

Saguache County, CO maintains relatively low crime rates compared to state averages. In 2022, the county reported a total of 30 property crimes and 7 violent crimes, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The property crime rate was approximately 445 per 100,000 residents, while the violent crime rate stood at about 104 per 100,000—both significantly below national averages. Local law enforcement emphasizes prompt incident reporting and community engagement to maintain safety and transparency. Overall, Saguache County is considered a safe rural community with notably low crime statistics.