Rio Rico, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rio Rico, Arizona had a total population of 22,017, the 42nd largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $61,348, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Rio Rico Quick Facts
How Rio Rico Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,798 | 22,017 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $63,692 | $61,348 | -3.7% |
| Median home value | $212,600 | $224,100 | +5.4% |
How Rio Rico Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 62 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rio Rico Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Cruz County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nogales | 19,841 | $43,214 | 28.0% | $186,300 |
| Tubac | 1,294 | $73,359 | 13.4% | $490,800 |
| Patagonia | 946 | $39,891 | 7.5% | $361,500 |
| Sonoita | 663 | $119,792 | 0.0% | $460,300 |
| Elgin | 349 | $90,231 | 1.1% | $356,800 |
| Tumacacori-Carmen | 207 | $55,417 | 18.4% | N/A |
| Kino Springs | 173 | N/A | 18.4% | $207,100 |
| Beyerville | 61 | $65,469 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Amado | 53 | N/A | 45.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Rio Rico
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Valley | 22,114 | $62,063 | $293,500 | 44.0% | 7.7% |
| Sun City West | 27,425 | $63,685 | $377,800 | 34.7% | 7.6% |
| Fortuna Foothills | 28,896 | $60,474 | $199,200 | 16.5% | 12.1% |
| Nogales | 19,841 | $43,214 | $186,300 | 17.6% | 28.0% |
| Florence | 25,570 | $79,644 | $346,300 | 17.3% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Rio Rico is a small city located in Arizona, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 22,017. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rio Rico is 34.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Rio Rico has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rio Rico is $61,348. This is 23% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 10.5%. This is 106% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $224,100. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 85.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rio Rico has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.2%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (87.1% vs 31.4%).
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 33.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rio Rico, Arizona is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Arizona state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 441 Census-designated places in Arizona. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rio Rico, Arizona?
Rio Rico, Arizona has a population of 22,017 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rio Rico, AZ?
The median household income in Rio Rico is $61,348, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rio Rico, AZ?
The poverty rate in Rio Rico is 16.6%. This means approximately 3,648 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rio Rico, Arizona?
Rio Rico's population is 11.2% White, 0.1% Black, 87.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rio Rico, AZ?
The median home value in Rio Rico is $224,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Rio Rico, Arizona?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Rio Rico hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.