Rio Rancho, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rio Rancho, New Mexico had a total population of 108,515, the 3rd largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $89,596, which is 40% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Rio Rancho is the 3rd largest city in New Mexico with a population of 108,515.
- Household income is 40% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Mexico.
Rio Rancho Quick Facts
How Rio Rancho 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 | 106,533 | 108,515 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $89,596 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $273,300 | $310,200 | +13.5% |
How Rio Rancho 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rio Rancho Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Bernalillo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 562,218 | $68,317 | 15.5% | $291,500 |
| South Valley | 37,120 | $58,224 | 18.5% | $224,300 |
| North Valley | 10,455 | $61,498 | 17.6% | $302,700 |
| Edgewood | 6,124 | $84,761 | 8.3% | $306,400 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 5,857 | $72,992 | 8.8% | $492,400 |
| Paradise Hills | 4,591 | $73,295 | 11.1% | $254,600 |
| Kirtland AFB | 3,413 | $84,884 | 12.9% | N/A |
| Sandia Heights | 3,160 | $143,646 | 4.7% | $670,100 |
| Sandia Knolls | 1,445 | $91,827 | 4.5% | $293,900 |
| Ponderosa Pine | 1,442 | $87,361 | 11.4% | $313,700 |
Cities Similar to Rio Rancho
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | 114,197 | $55,422 | $231,700 | 36.7% | 22.6% |
| Santa Fe | 89,019 | $73,482 | $444,900 | 47.8% | 12.9% |
| Farmington | 46,314 | $68,784 | $233,000 | 26.2% | 17.4% |
| Roswell | 47,638 | $51,583 | $152,600 | 18.6% | 26.0% |
| Hobbs | 40,252 | $64,021 | $191,300 | 17.3% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Rio Rancho is a major urban center located in New Mexico, within Bernalillo County. The total population is 108,515. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rio Rancho is 39.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rio Rancho is $89,596. This is 40% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 58% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $310,200. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 82.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rio Rancho is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.8% vs 1.8%).
Education
34.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rio Rancho, 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 Rancho, New Mexico?
Rio Rancho, New Mexico has a population of 108,515 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rio Rancho, NM?
The median household income in Rio Rancho is $89,596, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rio Rancho, NM?
The poverty rate in Rio Rancho is 7.4%. This means approximately 8,037 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rio Rancho, New Mexico?
Rio Rancho's population is 44.7% White, 2.8% Black, 42.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rio Rancho, NM?
The median home value in Rio Rancho is $310,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Rio Rancho, New Mexico?
34.0% of adults (25+) in Rio Rancho hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.