The City of Rio Rancho is located on the southern border of Sandoval County. Sandoval is the State of New Mexico's second most populous and fastest growing County. Sandoval County comprises the northern section of the Albuquerque MSA and encompasses 3,716 square miles of diverse geography and people. It includes the incorporated municipalities of Bernalillo, Cuba, Corrales, Jemez Springs, Rio Rancho and San Ysidro, numerous unincorporated communities, the chartered community of Cochiti Lake, all or portions of nine Indian pueblos, three Navajo Chapters and part of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. The municipalities of Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, and Corrales all border each other in Southern Sandoval. State: The State of New Mexico is also one of four minority-majority states in the Union. Taking into account New Mexico's largest university (University of New Mexico in Albuquerque) and the state's most populous MSA (2008: 840,737), the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho metro area offers a unique and cultural experience. City: The City of Rio Rancho comprises over 100 square miles of land and is just 30 minutes from the Albuquerque International Sunport and 45 minutes from Santa Fe, the cultural center of the Southwest. The City of Rio Rancho has an estimated 2010 population of 85,639, and as the state's fastest-growing city, is setting high standards for both quality of life and conducting business. Rio Rancho residents also enjoy a moderate four-season climate, affordable housing options, and one of the state's lowest crime rates. Rankings: In 2010, RIo Rancho was named the 51st Best Place to Live by Money Magazine. Rio Rancho was named the "Best Place to Raise Kids in New Mexico" for 2009 and 2010. In April 2008, RIo Rancho was named "Best Place to Live and Launch" by Fortune Small Business Magazine. In 2005, Rio Rancho was named in Money Magazine as one of America's Best Places to Live for the second year in a row. For the past nine years, Men's Fitness Magazine has ranked the Fittest and Fattest Cities in America; in 2007, Albuquerque ranked first for the fittest city in America, moving up from number 13 in 2006. Education: Rio Rancho has an educated population with approximately 25 percent of its citizens holding a Graduate, Bachelor or Associates Degree; at least 91 percent have high school diplomas. As a community, Rio Rancho values education. The school district is considered among the best in the state with a state-of-the-art high school that focuses on technology-related programs. A second high school has been built on a 150-acre campus east of the City's Central Business District. The presence of Intel in the community also draws a highly-educated trailing spouse population. As the newest city in a state saturated with tradition and history, Rio Rancho uniquely combines the convenience of modern master-planning and pro-business government with the cultural values intrinsic to its geographic location. The City borders historic municipalities like "Duke City" (Albuquerque), the Town of Bernalillo, the Santa Ana Pueblo, and the Village of Corrales. Rio Rancho is proud of its cultural heritage within New Mexico and allows its residents a progressive location from which to enjoy it. With the creation of a central business district, the development of a major university and community college, low cost of living, and a rapidly growing population, the City of Rio Rancho is solidly fulfilling its nickname and self-imposed mandate as "The City of Vision."

• published: 30 Jul 2010
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