Rio Rancho has become one of the nation's fastest growing small cities, largely due to affordable housing, good schools, employment opportunities, and an aggressive city government stressing smart growth. AMREP land co. purchased approxmately 90,000 acres of land, known as the Koonz ranch in the early 60's, and home to 500 head of cattle. The company marketed Rio Rancho to people in the east and the midwest, using free dinners and other inducements, offering the dream of a move west to the wide-open spaces.

Model home construction began in 1962 and construction of the first home in 1963. In 1964 the community's population was between 75 and 100, growing to 1,500 residents by 1969. The Rio Rancho Golf and Country Club was built in 1970, and the city boasted 2,500 residents and its first shopping center by 1971. By 1974, the community's population reached 5,377 and the first elementary school was opened. By 1977 AMREP had sold more than 75,000 lots.

Between 1970 and 1980 the population more than doubled. The community now boasted a department of public safety, a library, and a planning and zoning commission. Because most residents were still required to commute to Albuquerque for jobs, AMREP established an economic development department and began working to recruit business and industry. The effort paid almost immediate dividends as Intel Corp, employng more than 6,000 workers,
established an anchor factory in the center of town. In 1992, voters approved a Home Rule Charter for Rio Rancho to afford the city to more effectively govern itself.

Long known as a retirement community, the influx of young families created a need for schools. While most of the city was served by the Albuquerque Public Schools district, Jemez Valley Public Schools served the northern part of the city. The New Mexico Department of Education approved the creation of the Rio Rancho School District in 1994.

A realtively young city in a state occupied since 100 A.D., today's Rio Rancho is the third largest city in New Mexico and one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. Recently ranked 83rd on CNN Money's list of the 100 Best places to live, Rio Rancho is now home to more than 80,000 people. Plans for two public elementary schools and a second high school are currently underway and projected for opening in 2009 and 2010, in addition to Central New Mexico College and the University of New Mexico branch campuses and two hospitals by 2010.