Rio Rancho: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Rio Rancho center on a median $89,596 (about the same as Sandoval County median $86,636; 1.4× higher than New Mexico median $64,059), with homes at a median value of $310,200. The surrounding county supports 347,440 jobs (avg $63,493).
- $71,971 avg taxable income per return — lower than the median household income (at New Mexico median).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $89,596 — above the New Mexico median ($68,317). Poverty rate 7.4% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 3.5× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 20.3% |
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $332,110 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $23,902,312 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $71,971 (at New Mexico median) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $97,719 |
| Median Household Income | $89,596 (vs New Mexico $68,317) |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $89,596 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.8% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 16% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 29.70 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 15.5% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 347,440 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $22,059,918,766 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $63,493 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 845,580 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% (vs New Mexico 3.4%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 222 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 342 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 1.50 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Horticulture Totals, Nursery Totals, Animal Totals, Milk |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 16,332 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 267,348 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 14,047,435 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 76 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 23 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 179 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 8 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 65 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 67 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 26 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 432 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 643 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 49 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 195 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (11)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Market Street 921 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 37 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | NEW MEXICO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATION |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $11,251,732,935 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 16,633.65 (vs New Mexico $15,382) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 676,444 people (vs New Mexico 47,638) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 1 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 72.1% |
| Pct Public Transit | 1.0% |
| Pct Walked | 15.5% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 39.5 years (vs New Mexico 38.8y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 35.1% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 8 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12