The City of Rio Rancho is part of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area (Population: 914,190).  Rio Rancho is the third largest city in the State, surpassing Santa Fe. Only 30-years-old, Rio Rancho is considered the fastest-growing city in New Mexico (80% growth from 2000-2012, Claritas Inc.), and has an estimated 2012 population of 93,054. The City is strategically located in the northwest quadrant of the MSA and comprises over 100 square miles of land. The City is just 30 minutes from the Albuquerque International Sunport and 45 minutes from Santa Fe, the cultural center of the Southwest.

Rio Rancho’s adjacency to Albuquerque allows it to draw from the largest labor pool in New Mexico – approximately 400,000 workers.  The metro area offers a capable and quality workforce to prospective employers.

Rio Rancho boasts a business-friendly location characterized by low crime rates, an excellent public education system, diverse housing options, and a growing list of quality of life amenities such as new parks, a new main library, a university and community college campus, and an aquatics center. Just north of Rio Rancho is the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, one of about three destination resorts within the metro area offering first-class spa and lodging for visitors.

The City has a strong existing business climate anchored by Intel Corporation and complemented by the back-office and manufacturing operations of Hewlett-Packard Company, Bank of America, U.S. Cotton, Lectrosonics, Alliance Data, Sprint PCS, Insight Lighting, Stainless Motors, and ClingZ, Inc. The RREDC and the City work together to aggressively attract new business and industry to the community.