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Demographics

Stable Population
Projected Population

South Fork
644
1013 (2010)

Surrounding Area*
2911

Rio Grande County
12,346
15,017 (2025)

*Surrounding areas include subdivisions that are not incorporated, including Willow Park, Alpine Village & Masonic Park.

Average persons per household 2.02— South Fork, 2.59—Rio Grande County
Median Age – 42.8

Education Levels of 25 yr. and older

South Fork
18% - High School Diploma
34% - some college – No Degree
9.4% - Associates Degree
18.2% - Bachelors Degree
11.6% - Graduate/Professional Degree

Rio Grande County
78.1% High School Graduates

18.8% Bachelors degree or higher

Total Housing Units in South Fork – 655, Rio Grande County—6,254

Occupied Housing Units (Year– Round) 332—South Fork, 4,603—Rio Grande County

South Fork Median Home Value – $172,3000
17.7% value = under $100,000
23.4% value = $100-150,000
15.6% value = $150-200,000
31.2% value = $200-$300,000
12% value over $300,000

Rio Grande County Median Home Value – $82,4000
66.3% value = under $100,000
18% value = $100-150,000
6.9% value = $150-200,000
8% value over $200,000

Rental Values:

South Fork 36.1% under $300
8.2% $300-$500
42.2% $500 – $1,000

Rio Grande County
26% under $300
37.1% $300-$500
25.3% $500 – $1,000

Median Household Income:

$36,667 South Fork
13.7% under $15,000
37.3% $25-50,000
17% over $75,000

$31,836 Rio Grande County
14% $15-$25,000
17.8% $50-75,000

Annual Average Daily Vehicle Traffic (Both entering & leaving South Fork):

Intersection of Hwy 160 & Hwy 149—3600
East Hwy 160 & Cty Rd 19– 4,200
Northwest Hwy 149 & Cty. Rd. 15 – 3,600

(Taken from a 2008 traffic study conducted by the Colorado Dept. of Transportation)

Sales Tax

2.9% State
2.6% County
2.0% Town
7.5% TOTAL

Certain Wholesale/Manufacturing businesses are exempt from sales tax on utilities.

Lodging Tax - A 1.9% County Lodging Tax is collected by the State.

Property Tax - Real and/or personal

The Town of South Fork is funded by sales tax, no property taxes are accessed at this time. Rio Grande County collects property tax. Rio Grande County Assessor: (719) 657-3326 County Treasurer: (719) 657-2747

San Luis Valley Enterprise Zone — The Town of South Fork is located within this zone and, as such is eligible for many economic development incentives and tax breaks.

Vehicle Registration — Rio Grande County Clerk/Recorders Office: (719) 657-3334

Drivers License — Required to change within 30 days of moving to Colorado (719) 589-4274

Voter Registration — You must be a registered 30 days preceding the election.
South Fork Town Hall: (719) 873-0152
Rio Grande County Clerk: (719) 657-3334

Electricity - San Luis Valley Rural Electric: 852-3538

Postal Service — South Fork Post Master: 873-5611

Propane/Natural Gas — Propane is offered through private companies. Natural gas is not currently available.

Sanitation — South Fork Water & Sanitation District: 873-5860

Sewer taps are not available in all subdivisions in South Fork so if you are not able to access the sewer district or will be outside the city limits you will need a private septic system. Contact the Town or County for requirements.

Telephone Service - Qwest
(New)Business: 1-800-603-6000
Residential: 1-800-244-1111
(Repair)Business: 1-800-954-1211
Residential: 1-800-573-1311

Television Service — Rocky Mtn. Cable: 1-800-222-1332

We also receive excellent reception for Satellite TV, including Direct TV & Dish Network.

Trash Disposal — SLV Landfill: 852-3810, 6 miles west of Monte Vista

Waste Management: 852-2672
MDS: 658-3060

Water — South Fork has abundant water resources, both public and private. However, at this time the Town does not have a centralized water system. Although, many subdivisions do have individual wells and private water systems. If you are outside the city limits you may have to drill a private well.