Rio Communities, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rio Communities, New Mexico had a total population of 4,925, the 47th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $46,035, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 16.1% is notably above the national average.
Rio Communities Quick Facts
How Rio Communities 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 | 4,924 | 4,925 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $46,223 | $46,035 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $200,000 | $205,900 | +2.9% |
How Rio Communities 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rio Communities Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Valencia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas | 18,618 | $62,330 | 18.2% | $262,900 |
| Belen | 7,450 | $42,627 | 31.2% | $166,100 |
| El Cerro Mission | 5,323 | $49,470 | 25.0% | $115,300 |
| Los Chaves | 4,838 | $79,662 | 24.8% | $285,700 |
| Meadow Lake | 4,259 | $43,649 | 20.6% | $77,900 |
| Bosque Farms | 4,071 | $82,188 | 17.0% | $293,100 |
| Peralta | 3,404 | $73,131 | 5.2% | $299,200 |
| El Cerro | 2,923 | $106,136 | 5.9% | $311,500 |
| Valencia (Valencia County) | 2,406 | $55,170 | 29.4% | $262,900 |
| Jarales | 2,144 | $55,676 | 9.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Rio Communities
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Cerro Mission | 5,323 | $49,470 | $115,300 | 6.1% | 25.0% |
| Lee Acres | 4,272 | $44,583 | $187,400 | 13.2% | 30.0% |
| Holloman AFB | 4,433 | $52,465 | N/A | 34.5% | 10.2% |
| Meadow Lake | 4,259 | $43,649 | $77,900 | 12.6% | 20.6% |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | $81,700 | 7.0% | 29.9% |
Population Overview
Rio Communities is a small community located in New Mexico, within Valencia County. The total population is 4,925. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rio Communities is 47.1 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rio Communities is $46,035. This is 28% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.4%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 16.1%. This is 171% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $205,900. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 75.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rio Communities is Hispanic or Latino, making up 64.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.6%.
Education
25.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rio Communities, New Mexico 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 New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. 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 Communities, New Mexico?
Rio Communities, New Mexico has a population of 4,925 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rio Communities, NM?
The median household income in Rio Communities is $46,035, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rio Communities, NM?
The poverty rate in Rio Communities is 13.4%. This means approximately 659 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rio Communities, New Mexico?
Rio Communities's population is 25.6% White, 2.5% Black, 64.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rio Communities, NM?
The median home value in Rio Communities is $205,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Rio Communities, New Mexico?
25.1% of adults (25+) in Rio Communities hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.