Overview

Introduction to Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, in Sandoval county, is 12 miles N of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's regarded as the economic center for the county. It's the third largest city in the state. The northeast portion of the city is bordered by the Rio Grande. Intel is the largest employer. Services, the government and retail are major factors for the economy. Rio Rancho features a high-desert climate.

Rio Rancho History

The area was included in the Alameda Grant which was established by the Spanish in 1710. By the early 20th century a vast amount of the land was purchased by land investment firms. AMREP Southwest Inc. bought a large acreage and constructed a major housing development during the 1960s. Between 1970 and 1980 the population of Rio Rancho experienced substantial growth. Since the 1990s the city decided to rely less on the city of Albuquerque by establishing its own school and library systems and bringing new businesses to the city.

Rio Rancho Attractions

  • The Casa San Ysidfro & San Ysidfro Church site includes a beautiful Spanish Colonial style rancho, which features notable New Mexico artifacts
  • Coronado State Monument includes a visitor center which showcases pre-historic as well as Indian and Spanish colonial relics
  • Jemez State Monument is a pre-historic site which includes the ruins of an old Indian village and the huge, historic Catholic Mission, known as San Jose de Los Jemez Church
  • Casino Sandia
  • Santa Ana Star Center is popular for a variety of events
  • The New Mexico Scorpions play minor league hockey
  • San Felipe's Casino Hollywood
  • Blades Multiplex Arena
  • The nearby Indian Pueblos are popular tourist destinations
  • Santa Ana Star Casino
  • J&R Vintage Automobile Museum
  • National Hispanic Cultural Center features traditional and contemporary art and provides dance and theatrical performances and other events
  • Local shops offer hand-crafted jewelry and Southwestern art and crafts

Rio Rancho Activities

Residents enjoy the numerous parks, trails, bicycle paths and open space located in the city. Golf enthusiasts enjoy playing golf all year long at the numerous courses. The scenic Jemez Mountains includes water falls, warm springs and attractive meadows. The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument offers trails running through canyons, and features huge cone-shaped formations made from pumice. The top of the Tent Ricks Trail offers spectacular views.

The nearby Sandia Peak Tramway is one of the longest aerial tramways in the world. The top of Sandia Peak provides wonderful views. Astronomy enthusiasts enjoy the views from the nearby desert hills. Hot air balloon rides are available. There are numerous locations for mountain biking. The paved trail situated along the Rio Grand River is popular with residents.

Fishing opportunities are available at the nearby lakes and streams. The scenic Luz Trail traverses through a desert landscape, a forest area, alpine meadows and impressive boulder fields. The nearby Sandia Ski Area is a popular destination. The scenic "Bosque," located near the Rio Grande features ancient cottonwood trees and opportunities to see wildlife, including bald eagles, coyotes and beavers.

Demographics

People

Total Population94,765
Male Share of the Population48.6%
Female Share of the Population51.4%
Senior Citizens14.6%
Employed Population 16+42,733
Age of the Population38

Families

% of people married51.7%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher23.4%
Median Earnings25+$38,451
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$25,614
Median Earnings With High School Degree$30,592

Wealth

Median Family Income$71,433
% Above Poverty Level89.2%
% Below Poverty Level10.8%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time28 minutes
% Working from Home3.9%
% Walking and Biking to Work1.1%
% Using Public Transportation0.7%

Housing

People Living Alone22.7%
Median Gross Rent$1,106
Median House Value$184,600

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)50.3%
German11.1%
Irish8.3%
English7.3%
Italian4.4%
Scottish2.4%
Polish1.9%
French Except Basque1.5%
Norwegian1.3%
Dutch1%
Swedish0.7%
Canadian0.7%
Russian0.6%
Welsh0.5%
African0.4%
Greek0.4%
Belgian0.4%
Estonian0.3%
Portuguese0.3%
Finnish0.3%
Czech0.3%
Danishn0.3%
Hungarian0.3%
Arab0.2%
Swiss0.2%
Ukrainian0.2%
Austrian0.2%
Lithuanian0.1%
Iranian0.1%
Albanian0.1%
West Indian0.1%
Croatian0.1%
Sierra Leone0.1%
Serbian0.1%
Slovak0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Nigerian0.1%
Brazilian0.1%
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Rio Rancho Almanac

CategoryValue
CountySandoval County
Standard Zip Codes87144, 87124
P.O. Box Zip Codes87174
Phone Area Codes505
Time ZoneAmerica/Denver
Approximate Latitude35.32
Approximate Longitude-106.71

Rio Rancho Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationCORRALES
Distance6.2 miles
Jan Temp20 to 48 F
Apr Temp34 to 71 F
Jul Temp58 to 90 F
Oct Temp36 to 70 F
Annual Precip9.2 inches
StationALBUQUERQUE INTL AP
Distance15.7 miles
Jan Temp24 to 48 F
Apr Temp41 to 71 F
Jul Temp65 to 92 F
Oct Temp44 to 71 F
Annual Precip9.4 inches
StationCUBERO
Distance47.5 miles
Jan Temp17 to 47 F
Apr Temp32 to 66 F
Jul Temp55 to 88 F
Oct Temp34 to 69 F
Annual Precip10.6 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Albuquerque559,202$65,924
Bernalillo9,315$52,105
Corrales8,544$100,050
Tijeras655$87,031

Rio Rancho Public Libraries

Rio Rancho Public Library
755 LOMA COLORADO BLVD., NE
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
(505) 891-5013

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More Information for Librarians

Rio Rancho Hospitals

Presbyterian Rust Medical Center
(Non-profit)
2400 Unser Blvd. Se
(505) 253-7878
Unm Sandoval Regional Medical Center
3001 Broadmoor Blvd Ne

Rio Rancho Public Schools

Eagle Ridge Middle
800 Fruta Rd
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Middle
Total Enrollment 805
Ernest Stapleton Elementary
3100 8th Ave
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 908
Explore Academy
2720 Avenida Corazon
ZIP: 87124
(555) 555-5555
Other
Total Enrollment 149
Independence High School
421 Quantum Rd Ne
ZIP: 87124
(505) 338-4658
High
Total Enrollment 193
Lincoln Middle
2287 Lema Rd Se
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Middle
Total Enrollment 948
Maggie Cordova Elementary School
1500 Veranda Rd Se
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 946
Martin King Jr Elementary
1301 27th St Se
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 893
Puesta Del Sol Elementary
450 Southern Blvd
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 753
Rio Rancho Cyber Academy
1330 Jackie Rd Se
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Other
Total Enrollment 157
Rio Rancho Elementary
4601 Pepe Ortiz Se
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 650
Rio Rancho High
500 Laser Rd Ne
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
High
Total Enrollment 2461
Shining Stars Preschool
4477 9th Ave Ne
ZIP: 87124
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 525
The Ask Academy
4311 Sara Rd Se
ZIP: 87124
(505) 891-0757
High
Total Enrollment 287
Cielo Azul Elementary
1550 34th Ave
ZIP: 87144
(505) 338-2320
Primary
Total Enrollment 853
Colinas Del Norte Elementary
1001 23rd Ave
ZIP: 87144
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 699
Enchanted Hills Elementary
5400 Obregon Rd Ne
ZIP: 87144
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 691
Mountain View Middle
4101 Montreal Loop
ZIP: 87144
(505) 896-0667
Middle
Total Enrollment 842
Rio Rancho Middle School
1600 40th St Ne
ZIP: 87144
(505) 896-0667
Middle
Total Enrollment 1216
Sandia Vista Elementary
6800 Franklin Rd Ne
ZIP: 87144
(505) 338-2526
Primary
Total Enrollment 605
V Sue Cleveland High
4800 Laban Rd Ne
ZIP: 87144
(505) 938-0300
High
Total Enrollment 2394
Vista Grande Elementary
7001 Chayote Rd Ne
ZIP: 87144
(505) 896-0667
Primary
Total Enrollment 667

Rio Rancho Private Schools

Gospel Light Baptist Academy
1500 Southern Blvd Se
ZIP: 87124
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 80
St Thomas Aquinas School
1100 Hood Rd Se
ZIP: 87124
Elementary
Total Enrollment 406
Living Word Christian Academy
1901 17th Ave Ne
ZIP: 87144
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 26
Sources :
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