City · New Mexico
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Rio Rancho, city, mostly in Sandoval County (100.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Rio Rancho had 114,419 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 104,046 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 108,515 (±39). GEOID 3563460.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
114,419
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 104,046 · ACS 2020-2024: 108,515 ±39
Median household income
$89,596
±$3,533 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$310,200
±$7,254 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$1,514
±$67 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
Where is Rio Rancho and what county is it in?
Rio Rancho is a city mostly in Sandoval County (100.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. It covers 103.4 square miles of land, 1,007 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rio Rancho is in the Albuquerque, NM metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sandoval County | 104,040 | 100.0% |
| Bernalillo County | 6 | 0.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rio Rancho, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 114,419 people lived in Rio Rancho on July 1, 2025, up 9.9% since 2020, faster than New Mexico (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 104,046 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 108,515 (±39).
| Measure | Rio Rancho | Sandoval County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 108,515 ±39 | 153,604 | +12,305 |
| Households | 40,323 ±591 | 56,895 | +5,747 |
| Average household size | 2.67 ±0.04 | 2.68 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 41,908 ±448 | 60,925 | +4,821 |
Rio Rancho's population since 2000
From 51,765 in 2000 to 114,419 in 2025: up 121.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rio Rancho as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rio Rancho?
The median resident of Rio Rancho is 39.5 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 17.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 44.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 42.1%. 5.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rio Rancho | Sandoval County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 ±0.6 | 41.3 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.8% ±0.4 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.6% ±0.6 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±0.5 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 42.1% ±0.7 pts | 40.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 44.7% ±0.9 pts | 40.9% | −4.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.8% ±0.4 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.3 pts | 1.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±0.7 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±0.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.3% ±0.7 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 16.2% ±1.3 pts | 23.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.8% ±1.0 pts | 10.1% | – |
| With a disability | 15.0% ±1.1 pts | 16.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7% ±0.9 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.2% ±0.8 pts | 93.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.0% ±1.5 pts | 33.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.0% ±1.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.5% ±1.4 pts | 89.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5% ±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rio Rancho earn?
Half of Rio Rancho's 40,323 households earn less than $89,596 a year (±$3,533), against $86,636 in Sandoval County and $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 the median was $82,279 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,317 after inflation. 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rio Rancho | Sandoval County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $89,596 ±$3,533 | $86,636 | +$7,317 |
| Mean household income | $108,313 ±$4,542 | $108,102 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,278 ±$1,624 | $41,150 | +$4,957 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.4% ±1.1 pts | 10.0% | −2.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.7% ±2.4 pts | 11.3% | −5.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.6% ±1.6 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% ±0.7 pts | 95.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.6% ±1.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rio Rancho?
Owners occupy 82.2% of Rio Rancho's occupied homes and renters 17.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $310,200 by its owner (±$7,254). The median renter pays $1,514 a month including utilities, and 42.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rio Rancho | Sandoval County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $310,200 ±$7,254 | $313,800 | +$75,384 |
| Median gross rent | $1,514 ±$67 | $1,427 | +$78 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.1% ±5.0 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,651 ±$42 | $1,671 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.2% ±1.7 pts | 83.5% | +4.7 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 17.8% ±1.7 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Housing units | 41,908 ±448 | 60,925 | +4,821 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9% ±3.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.4% ±1.4 pts | 84.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6% ±0.6 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.3% ±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 15.9% ±1.5 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.7% ±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.7% ±0.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rio Rancho building?
Builders took permits for 1,001 new housing units in Rio Rancho in 2025 (875 in single-family houses), 8.7 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across New Mexico.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rio Rancho work and get to work?
72.1% of Rio Rancho's workers drive alone and 15.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Rio Rancho | Sandoval County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.0% ±1.4 pts | 59.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% ±0.8 pts | 5.2% | −2.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.1% ±1.9 pts | 71.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6% ±1.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.5% ±1.5 pts | 16.8% | +11.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.7 min ±1.0 | 30.3 min | +2.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Rio Rancho?
19 census tracts lie mostly in Rio Rancho, and 8 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $56,397 (Tract 107.15) to $120,871 (Tract 107.30).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 107.25Sandoval County | 9,859 | $89,400 |
| Tract 107.31Sandoval County | 8,554 | $118,281 |
| Tract 107.29Sandoval County | 8,476 | $101,273 |
| Tract 107.32Sandoval County | 6,608 | $82,558 |
| Tract 107.26Sandoval County | 6,767 | $117,160 |
| Tract 107.05Sandoval County | 5,712 | $91,169 |
| Tract 107.12Sandoval County | 5,443 | $61,714 |
| Tract 107.33Sandoval County | 5,410 | $89,547 |
| Tract 107.02Sandoval County | 8,238 | $90,768 |
| Tract 107.13Sandoval County | 5,269 | $59,449 |
| Tract 107.21Sandoval County | 5,011 | $70,714 |
| Tract 107.14Sandoval County | 4,583 | $80,859 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Rio Rancho) · Census block assignment files
How does Rio Rancho compare with other places in New Mexico?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rio Rancho is the 274th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 3rd-most populous of 105 in New Mexico.
Rio Rancho ranks 17th of 143 places in New Mexico with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 3rd | 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 2nd | 61 |
| Residents per square mile | 38th | 155 |
| Median household income | 17th | 143 |
| Per capita income | 34th | 154 |
| Median home value | 28th | 138 |
| Median gross rent | 7th | 114 |
| Poverty rate | 105th | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th | 128 |
| Median age | 79th | 154 |
| Owner-occupied share | 63rd | 150 |
| Work from home | 31st | 78 |
| Travel time to work | 37th | 150 |
Rio Rancho's figures with every place in New Mexico (CSV)
Every place in New Mexico, sortable · Compare Rio Rancho with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Rio Rancho?
3 of the 57 figures for Rio Rancho on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rio Rancho are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Rio Rancho.