Rio Rancho, a suburb of Albuquerque, is the largest city and economic hub of Sandoval County, New Mexico, USA. It is the fastest-growing city in New Mexico. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 51,765. The current population is estimated to be 62,000.
Rio Rancho is bordered by Albuquerque to the south, Bernalillo to the north, and Corrales to the east. The northeast corner of the city is bounded by the Rio Grande River.
As of the census of 2000, there are 51,765 people, 18,995 households, and 14,113 families residing in the city. There are 20,209 housing units at an average density of 106.3/km2 (275.2/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 78.36% White, 2.66% African American, 2.37% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 10.85% from other races, and 4.12% from two or more races. 27.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 18,995 households out of which 40.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% are married couples living together, 10.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% are non-families. 20.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size is 3.14.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $47,169, and the median income for a family is $52,233. Males have a median income of $39,162 versus $27,385 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,322. 5.1% of the population and 3.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.1% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The Intel Corporation is by far the largest employer in Rio Rancho. The services, retail, and government sectors are also major components of the local economy.
The Rio Rancho area was originally part of the Alameda Land Grant, which was founded by the Spanish in 1710. By the early twentieth century, much of the land grant had been sold to land investment companies. AMREP Southwest, Inc. purchased 55,000 acres in 1961 and turned the land into a housing development called "Rio Rancho Estates" with the first families moving in in the early 1960s. The population grew tenfold between 1970 and 1980, and the City of Rio Rancho was incorporated in 1981. The opening of a large Intel plant in 1981 had a major economic impact on the city.
Since the 1990s, Rio Rancho has taken steps to become more independent from neighboring Albuquerque, including the establishment of separate school and library systems and attempts to attract businesses to the area. The city's latest project is a major new urban center development that will include a 6500-seat arena and a new city hall building, scheduled for completion by the end of 2006.
Source:
RioRanchoNewMexico.com
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