Rio Rancho

Rio Rancho
City
City of Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho City Hall Rio Rancho City Hall
Location within Sandoval County
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	New Mexico
County	Sandoval
Founded	1961
Incorporated	1981
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• Body	Rio Rancho City Council
• Mayor	Gregg Hull
Area
• Total	40.0 sq mi (103.7 km2)
• Land	40.0 sq mi (103.7 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	5,282 ft (1,610 m)
Population  (2019)
• Total	101,189
• Density	2,525.7/sq mi (975.2/km2)
Demonym(s)	Rio Ranchan
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP codes	87124, 87144, 87174
Area code	505
FIPS code	35-63480
GNIS feature ID	0929858
Website	www.rrnm.gov

Rio Rancho is a city located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. It is situated within the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area and is the largest city and economic hub of Sandoval County. As of the 2019 census estimate, the population of Rio Rancho was 101,189, making it the third-largest city in New Mexico.

History

Rio Rancho was founded in 1961 as a planned community by AMREP Corporation. The city was incorporated in 1981 and has since experienced significant growth. It was named after the Rio Rancho Estates, a housing development that was the first major project in the area.

Geography

Rio Rancho is located at . The city has a total area of 40.0 square miles (103.7 km2), all of which is land. It is situated at an elevation of 5,282 feet (1,610 m) above sea level.

Demographics

As of the 2019 census estimate, Rio Rancho had a population of 101,189 people. The city has a population density of 2,525.7 people per square mile (975.2/km2). The racial makeup of Rio Rancho is predominantly White, followed by Hispanic or Latino, Native American, African American, Asian, and other races.

Government

Rio Rancho operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The city is governed by the Rio Rancho City Council, which consists of a mayor and six council members. The current mayor of Rio Rancho is Gregg Hull.

Economy

Rio Rancho has a diverse economy with a mix of industries. The city is home to several major employers, including Intel Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services. The Intel Corporation's Rio Rancho campus is one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the world.

Education

Rio Rancho is served by the Rio Rancho Public Schools, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools in the city. The city is also home to the University of New Mexico West, a branch campus of the University of New Mexico.

Culture and Recreation

Rio Rancho offers a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. The city is home to several parks, golf courses, and sports complexes. The Santa Ana Star Center is a multi-purpose arena that hosts concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment.

Notable People

• Brian Urlacher - Former NFL player
• Holly Holm - Professional mixed martial artist and former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion

External links

• Official website