City of Rio Rancho

Established in the early 1960s, the City of Rio Rancho originated when the AMREP Corporation purchased approximately 55,000 acres of land marketed as “Rio Rancho Estates.” By 1971 AMREP had again acquired and platted an additional 35,000 acres making the total area approximately 92,000 acres, which is geographically larger than the City of Albuquerque. Rio Rancho was initially promoted as a retirement community to residents in the Midwest and eastern United States, and it experienced rapid growth reaching a population of 5,000 by 1977. Rio Rancho formally incorporated in 1981 with a population of roughly 10,000. Subsequently, the implementation of low interest home loan programs diversified Rio Rancho’s demographics drawing younger families and shifting the community from its retirement focus. According to the 2020 US Census, Rio Rancho’s population was 104,046 and has since grown to an estimated 114,811 in (2025) reflecting an annual growth rate of 1.84% and a cumulative increase of 9.94%. The City’s continued expansion is driven by its strong public-school system which has been ranked the best in New Mexico and among the top 50 nationally as well as by growing employment opportunities at regional employers such as Market Street, Rust Medical Center, and Intel. Rio Rancho’s livability was recently recognized on Livability.com’s 2025 list of the “100 Best Places to live in the US.” The City maintains a relatively young median age of 38.97 and offers a high quality of life with affordable housing and public safety. The applicant, the City of Rio Rancho Parks Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS) strives to create and maintain spaces and activities that grow a greater sense of community and enhance the quality of life for its residents. PRCS operates 4 recreation centers, two Senior Centers, an indoor aquatic center, 3 outdoor pools, 44 parks, and manages over 25 miles of open space and multi-purpose trails throughout the city for over 114,118 residents and participants of all ages and abilities in our health, sports, education, and other programs. Most recently, as a top accomplishment, the City of Rio Rancho Parks and Recreation Department completed construction of the first fully inclusive and accessible playground in New Mexico, A Park Above. A Park Above is a place where all children can come together, interact, be included and grow through the gift of play. A Park Above is located on six acres at 2441 A Park Above Court, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. The park was constructed to universal design standards to be more “usable” for everyone. The goal of the park design is to create an inclusive social play environment. Amenities offered at the park include: Inclusive and accessible play equipment, Pedestrian path and loop trail, Play/activity areas with perimeter fencing and special surfacing, Hill feature with ADA-compliant ramp, Sport/basketball courts, Splash pad, Lighting, Shade structures, Bathroom Facilities, Outdoor musical instruments, Adaptive swings/wheelchair swings, Dog Park, Amphitheatre, Labyrinth walking paths, Bocce courts, Outdoor exercise equipment, Lawn areas and picnic tables.