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Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Rio Rancho is a city of 108,515 people in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, founded in 1961.
Why visit Rio Rancho
Townapedia lists 28 museums and landmarks, 95 parks and trails, 249 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 13 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Regal UA Cottonwood, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Petroglyphs and Abenicio Salazar Historic District.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 96°F; January lows average 24°F.
Weather in Rio Rancho
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho (Spanish: Río Rancho) is the largest and most populous city in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. A small portion of the city extends into northern Bernalillo County. Part of the expansive Albuquerque metropolitan area, it is the third-largest city in New Mexico, and one of the most rapidly growing. Rio Rancho had a population of 104,046 at the 2020 census.
From the Wikipedia article Rio Rancho, New Mexico (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do13
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
School · 7.8 mi
Community college in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Rio Rancho Premiere
Cinema and theater · 3.1 mi
1000 Commercial Drive Southeast, Rio Rancho
1 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks28
Abenicio Salazar Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 8.9 mi
United States historic place
Adrian Barela House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 8.6 mi
Historic house in New Mexico, United States
Barela–Bledsoe House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 9.8 mi
Historic house in New Mexico, United States
Coronado State Monument
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 8.5 mi
Archaeological site in New Mexico, United States of America
Domingo Tafoya House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 8.3 mi
Historic house in New Mexico, United States
Felipe Romero House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 9.5 mi
Historic house in New Mexico, United States
Juan Antonio Garcia House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 9.6 mi
Albuquerque, New Mexico, listed on the NRHP in Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Juan Chavez House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 9.2 mi
Historic house in New Mexico, United States
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 9.2 mi
Church building in New Mexico, United States of America
Refugio Gomez House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 8.6 mi
House in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico
Roosevelt School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 8.5 mi
School building in Bernalillo, United States of America
16 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds95
Vista Hills Park
Park · 3.6 mi
411 Rockaway Boulevard Northeast, Rio Rancho
Mo-Su 06:00-22:00
Desert Greens Golf Course
Golf course · 6.2 mi
18 hole Par 72
10035 Country Club Lane Northwest, Albuquerque
Water Wise Demonstration Garden
Park · 3.4 mi
950 Pinetree Road Southeast, Rio Rancho
Mo-Su 06:00-22:00
Mesa Contenta Park
Park · 2.6 mi
Tierra Vista Place Northeast, Rio Rancho
05:00-22:00
83 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes249
Kickstand Cafe and Cycles
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Pastry, Breakfast, Lunch · 7.2 mi
Charming bicycle-themed cafe with breakfast, lunch, and pastries. Open 8am-2pm, except Mondays.
1127 Alameda Boulevard Northwest, Albuquerque
Tu-Su 08:00-14:00
Aldo's New York Style Pizzeria
Restaurant · Pizza · 4.3 mi
1690 Rio Rancho Boulevard Southeast,, Rio Rancho
Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Alquds Mediterranean Grill 2
Restaurant · Mediterranean · 4.4 mi
1690 Rio Rancho Boulevard South East, Rio Rancho
Mo,Tu,We,Fr,Sa 11:00-19:00; Th 10:00-19:00
BJ's
Diner · American · 6.7 mi
10000 Coors Boulevard Northwest, Albuquerque
Su-Th 11:00-24:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00
Baskin-Robbins
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 3.0 mi
2345 Southern Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho
11:00-21:00
Baskin-Robbins
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 6.2 mi
3410 State Highway 528 Northwest, Albuquerque
11:00-21:00
Chill Zone Frozen Yogurt
Ice cream · Frozen Yogurt, Dessert, Milkshake · 3.5 mi
4320 Ridgecrest Drive Southeast, Rio Rancho
Mo-Su 12:00-21:00
Clay Pot Ethiopian Cuisine
Restaurant · Ethiopian · 6.0 mi
5645 Paradise Boulevard Northwest
Fr-Sa 16:00-21:00
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.1 mi
1440 Rio Rancho Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho
Su-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 05:00-23:00
Indigo Crow Cafe
Diner · American · 6.3 mi
4515 Corrales Road, Corrales
Tu-Th 11:30-21:00, Su 10:00-21:00
Joe's Pasta House
Restaurant · Italian · 3.4 mi
3201 Southern Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho
Tu-Th 11:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 12:00-19:00
237 more on the map.
History
The great majority of the territory of Rio Rancho was originally part of the Town of Alameda Grant, which was founded by Spanish colonial settlers in 1710. It was acquired by the United States in 1848, after it defeated Mexico in the Mexican-American War. (Mexico had been independent of Spain since 1821.) The ranches were used for cattle and sheep.
By the early 20th century, much of the land grant had been divided and sold to land investment companies. Its proximity to the city of Albuquerque made it a prime area for suburban development in the post-World War II period. In 1961 Amrep Corporation purchased 55,000 acres (22,000 ha) from Snow Homes the original builder and created a housing development called "Rio Rancho Estates". The first families moved into this development in the early 1960s.
Amrep contracted with Ezio Valentini, one of the original developers of Cape Coral, Florida, to design and implement a marketing plan to encourage land sales. He organized dinner-parties for prospective customers in northern states through offices in 14 states. Migrants were attracted to this area, and the population grew ten-fold between 1970 and 1980. The City of Rio Rancho was incorporated in 1981. The opening of a large Intel Corporation plant in 1981 generated numerous jobs and had positive economic effects for the city.
From the History section of Rio Rancho, New Mexico on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay4
Churches and places of worship33
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 8.8 mi
San Ysidro Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 5.9 mi
Albuquerque’s First Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 7.2 mi
4101 Paseo del Norte Northwest, Albuquerque
All Saints of North America Church
Church · Orthodox · 7.4 mi
10440 4th Street Northwest, Albuquerque
Corrales Seventh-day Adventist Church
Church · Seventh Day Adventist · 6.1 mi
20 Academy Drive, Corrales
Rio Rancho Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Church · Seventh Day Adventist · 4.1 mi
1351 Westside Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho
Saint John Vianney Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 1.5 mi
1001 Meteor Avenue Northeast, Rio Rancho
Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 4.2 mi
1502 Sara Road Southeast, Rio Rancho
Shopping49
Gas and EV charging31
Schools, colleges and libraries62
Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
School · Roman Catholic · 2.7 mi
1100 Hood Road Southeast, Rio Rancho
Central New Mexico Community College Westside Campus
School · 5.6 mi
10549 Universe Boulevard Northwest, Albuquerque
Mountain View Middle School
School · 6.9 mi
4101 Montreal Loop Northeast, Rio Rancho
Healthcare34
Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 4.2 mi
1713 Wellspring Avenue Southeast, Rio Rancho
Presbyterian Health Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 7.1 mi
4588 Paradise Boulevard Northwest, Albuquerque
Presbyterian Specialty Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 7.2 mi
4580 Eagle Ranch Road Northwest, Albuquerque
UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center
Hospital · 2.0 mi
3001 Broadmoor Boulevard Northeast, Rio Rancho
Clearsky Rehab Hospital of Rio Rancho
Hospital · 4.5 mi
2401 Westside Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho
Map of Rio Rancho
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50°F | 24°F | 0.5 in |
| Feb | 56°F | 28°F | 0.5 in |
| Mar | 66°F | 34°F | 0.3 in |
| Apr | 73°F | 41°F | 0.5 in |
| May | 81°F | 49°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 93°F | 59°F | 0.6 in |
| Jul | 96°F | 64°F | 1.2 in |
| Aug | 92°F | 63°F | 1.7 in |
| Sep | 86°F | 56°F | 1.2 in |
| Oct | 74°F | 44°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 60°F | 31°F | 0.5 in |
| Dec | 50°F | 24°F | 0.6 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Rio Rancho #2 (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Bernalillo County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for fires.
- 2020-04-05: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2016-06-16: Dog Head Fire (Fire)
- 2013-09-30: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2011-04-03: White Fire (Fire)
- 2006-06-16: Malpais Fire (Fire)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 18 miles away.
- Corrales 5 mi southeast, about 8 min by car
- Paradise Hills 6 mi south, about 10 min by car
- Rio Rancho Estates 6 mi west, about 9 min by car
- Bernalillo 8 mi east, about 13 min by car
- Pueblo of Sandia Village 8 mi east, about 12 min by car
- North Valley 9 mi southeast, about 14 min by car
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 9 mi south, about 15 min by car
- Santa Ana Pueblo 11 mi northeast, about 18 min by car
- Albuquerque 13 mi south, about 21 min by car
- Algodones 13 mi northeast, about 21 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- City Hall Rio Rancho New Mexico, AllenS, Public domain
- Canyon Park, Rio Rancho, NM - panoramio (4), Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Canyon Park, Rio Rancho, NM - panoramio (3), Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Canyon Park, Rio Rancho, NM - panoramio (5), Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Canyon Park, Rio Rancho, NM - panoramio (1), Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Canyon Park, Rio Rancho, NM - panoramio (2), Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Canyon Park, Rio Rancho, NM - panoramio, Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Race and ethnicity 2020 Rio Rancho, NM, CensusDots, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rio Rancho High School plaza Rio Rancho NM 2023-10-15 10-20-28, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Rio Rancho High School building Rio Rancho NM 2023-10-15 10-21-00, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Rio Rancho High School performing arts building Rio Rancho NM 2023-10-15 10-14-18, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Parsons Field - Rio Rancho Sports Complex, Skarz, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico, SophiaSanchez)01, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rio Rancho FIRE RESCUE (7271347574), Rescuenav, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rio Rancho Fire Rescue (7277305114), Rescuenav, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Fall Selling, as it has alway been, Sandia Mountains on the horizon, Rio Rancho, NM, 2012 - panoramio, Chris English, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sanida Mountains On A Windy Day In Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Gamer Chip, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Defined Fitness, Rio Rancho, NM - panoramio, Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Cleveland High School athletic fields Rio Rancho NM 2023-10-15 09-56-49, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Cleveland High School administration Rio Rancho NM 2023-10-15 09-53-34, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Lime juice 1, mnchilemom, CC BY 2.0
- Hesperaloe parviflora, Skarz, CC BY-SA 4.0
- New Mexican Sunset - panoramio, Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- ISS042-E-171857 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-81808 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS059-E-86407 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-81810 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS042-E-171858 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS058-E-30412 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-81809 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Looking West on Unser Blvd - panoramio, Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- UPS Delivery in the rain, Gmacdiarmid, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 528 Highway, Gamer Chip, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Route 66 Vapor - panoramio, Jordan Meeter, CC BY 3.0
- Old San Ysidro Church (46333272), Clinton Steeds from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Old San Ysidro Church (46333313), Clinton Steeds from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Old San Ysidro Church (46333291), Clinton Steeds from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY 2.0
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