Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Rio Rancho, New Mexico
City Hall
Nickname: 
"The City of Vision"
Location within Sandoval County
Rio Rancho
Location within New Mexico
Rio Rancho
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 35°17′10″N 106°40′14″W / 35.28611°N 106.67056°W / 35.28611; -106.67056
CountryUnited States
StateNew Mexico
CountiesSandoval, Bernalillo
Founded1961
Incorporated1981
Government
 • MayorGregg Hull
Area
 • Total
103.62 sq mi (268.38 km2)
 • Land103.36 sq mi (267.70 km2)
 • Water0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2)
Elevation
5,509 ft (1,679 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
104,046
 • Density1,006.6/sq mi (388.66/km2)
Time zoneUTC−07:00 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−06:00 (Mountain)
ZIP Codes
87124, 87144, 87174
Area code505
FIPS code35-63460
GNIS feature ID2410954
Websiterrnm.gov

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. The name Rio Rancho derives from Los Ranchos, the Spanish colonial ranches established along the Rio Grande in the Albuquerque Basin, and throughout historic Nuevo México. There were large ranches also in neighboring Corrales. Since the late 20th century, it has developed as a suburb of Albuquerque.