Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Rio Rancho: The second most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico. It is located on the west bank of the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. Rio Rancho is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Rio Rancho Public Library and the Rio Rancho Museum.

About

Rio Rancho is a city located in the county of Sandoval in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its population at the 2010 census was 87,521 and a population density of 326 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 99,885 inhabitants.

The city was created 63 years ago in 1960.

Rio Rancho is a city located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, within the Albuquerque metro area. As of 2020, the population of Rio Rancho was estimated to be 99,885 people. Some key facts about the city:

History

Rio Rancho was founded in 1961 as a master-planned community built by AMREP Corporation. The city was named after the Rio Rancho Estates, a large subdivision developed in the 1960s.

Rio Rancho was incorporated as a city in 1981. The population grew rapidly from just over 15,000 in 1980 to over 51,000 by 2000.

Economic growth was spurred by the relocation of high-tech manufacturing facilities like Intel and Hewlett Packard to the area.

Attractions

Top points of interest in Rio Rancho include:

  • Rio Rancho Sports Complex - Has baseball fields, a skate park, BMX track, and more.
  • Star Heights Recreation Center - Massive community center with pools, gym, weight room, classes.
  • Rio Rancho Aquatic Center - Indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool open year-round.
  • Northern Meadows Golf Course - Public 18-hole golf course with a full pro-shop.
  • Rust Street Tavern & Tap Room - Popular local brewpub and gastropub.

Living in Rio Rancho

Rio Rancho offers an affordable cost of living compared to other metro areas. The city has high-performing schools in Rio Rancho Public Schools district.

New residential development continues around the outskirts of the city. Popular neighborhoods include Rio West, Cabezon, and Enchanted Hills.

The climate is mild and dry with abundant sunshine year-round. Recreation options include the hike and bike trail system, golf courses, and open space preserves nearby.

Rio Rancho locator map
Location of Rio Rancho on New Mexico map.

Quick Facts about Rio Rancho

Population : 99,885 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : New Mexico (United States)
County : Sandoval County
Different from : Rancho Rio de los Americanos
Phone Area Codes : 505
Area : 268.82 km2
Altitude : 5,282 feet / 1610 meters
Establishment : January 01, 1961 (63 years ago)
Time Zone : Mountain Time Zone
Local time : 03:01:16 (19th March 2024)
Postal code : 87124
Density : 372 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 12.38% (2010-2020)
Rio Rancho Sprawl. image
Rio Rancho Sprawl.
Rio Rancho Sprawl. image

Geography

Rio Rancho is located at 35°14'0"N 106°39'52"W (35.2333800, -106.6644700).

Rio Rancho map

Demographics

The population of Rio Rancho increased by 12.38% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 87,521 - census
2011 89,499 2.21% estimation process
2012 90,444 1.04% estimation process
2013 91,334 0.97% estimation process
2014 91,963 0.68% estimation process
2015 93,116 1.24% estimation process
2016 94,511 1.48% estimation process
2017 96,285 1.84% estimation process
2018 97,982 1.73% estimation process
2019 99,178 1.21% estimation process
2020 99,885 0.71% estimation process

Rio Rancho zip code is 87124. County name: Sandoval, County fips: 35043

Rio Rancho, Rio Rancho Estates, Rio-Rancho, Рио-Ранчо

People born in Rio Rancho (1)

Player of American Football Alan Branch was born in Rio Rancho

Schools in Rio Rancho

College & universities near Rio Rancho, NM

Code Name City ZIP
493372 Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Rio Rancho Rio Rancho (NM) 87124-2575
440758 National American University-Albuquerque West Albuquerque (NM) 87114-0000
188216 Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute Albuquerque (NM) 87120-3101
442967 Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque West Albuquerque (NM) 87114
405997 University of Phoenix-New Mexico Albuquerque (NM) 87113-1570

Stations (3)

Amtrak & bus stations near Rio Rancho, NM

Code Name Address Type
ABQ Alvarado Transportation Center 320 First Street SW RAIL
LMY Lamy station Santa Fe County Road 33 RAIL
SAF Santa Fe (Lamy Shuttle), New Mexico No specific stop location BUS

Post offices near Rio Rancho

Post Office Name City ZIP
Rio Ranch Post Office Rio Rancho (NM) 87124
Cottonwood Post Office Albuquerque (NM) 87114
Corral Post Office Corrales (NM) 87048
Richard J Pin Post Office Albuquerque (NM) 87114
Alameda Post Office Albuquerque (NM) 87114

Other cities in Sandoval County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Sandoval County , NM.

City Name Population Title
Bernalillo 10,865 Town of the United States
Corrales 8,701 Town in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Placitas 4,977 Census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Santo Domingo Pueblo 2,456 Census designated place
San Felipe Pueblo 2,404 Census-designated place (CDP) in Sandoval County, New Mexico
Jemez Pueblo 1,788 Census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Cuba 756 Town in New Mexico, United States
Jemez Springs 266 Human settlement in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States of America

Distance to Other Cities

Rio Rancho distances to largest New Mexico cities