Río Grande is known as "El Granero de la Nación" for being one of the largest bean producers nationwide and also the largest trader of this legume in the country's predominant bean growing area.

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the Río Grande area was inhabited by Chichimeca peoples such as the Guachichil and Irritila [es].

Oral history holds that a Spanish settlement was founded at Río Grande on 18 August 1562.

The town was recognized by the Royal Audiencia of Guadalajara on 5 March 1689 under the name Santa Elena de Río Grande.

[8] In the "Granero de la Nación" the area planted with beans, in 2008 was 70,450 hectares.