The invention provides an aqueous pigment ink composition that ensures excellent recording characteristics on any type of recording mediums. An aqueous pigment ink composition of the invention includes a pigment, a water-dispersible polymer, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent, where the pigment is dispersed as primary particles having an average primary particle diameter of not greater than 50 nm and as secondary particles having a ratio of an average secondary particle diameter to the average primary particle diameter in a range of 1 to 10, and the water-dispersible polymer has a minimum glass transition temperature of lower than 100.degree. C. Using this polymer ensures good dispersion stability and favorable glossiness on a glossy medium.