Rio Rico, AZ — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Santa Cruz County · Arizona
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Rio Rico based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
21,798
2023 ACS
Median Income
$63,692
2023
Median Home Value
$212,600
2023
Median Rent
$1,049
2023
Median Age
34.3
Unemployment
7.9%
Cost of Living Index
101.9
100 = national avg
Rio Rico is a city in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, with a population of 21,798 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Rio Rico is one of the communities in Arizona.
The median household income in Rio Rico is $63,692, and the median home value is $212,600. The cost of living index is 101.9 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,049 per month. The unemployment rate is 7.9%, and the median age is 34.3 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
21,798
Male
10,685
49.0%
Female
11,113
51.0%
Median Age
34.3
Age Distribution
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
14.6%
High School or Higher
31.1%
Foreign Born
30.3%
Veterans
3.7%
Married
41.0%
Avg Household Size
3.1
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.000
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
Two or More
48.1%
Foreign Born
30.3%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
86.6%
18,879 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
13.4%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
20,100
English Only
20.4%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
15,925 speakers
Limited English
29.9%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
70.0%
Limited English Proficiency
29.9%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
811
3.7% of population
Disability Rate
23.2%
188 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$52,798
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
756
93.2%
Female Veterans
55
6.8%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$52,798
Non-Veteran Income
$33,740
Difference
$19,058
56.5% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
188
Without Disability
623
Disability Rate
23.2%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
3,486
#1 Ancestry
German
3.6% (785)
#2 Ancestry
English
1.8% (390)
#3 Ancestry
Irish
1.8% (390)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
7,049
Family Households
5,551
78.7%
Married Couples
4,222
59.9%
Non-Family Households
1,498
21.3%
Single Mother Households
1,045
14.8%
Single Father Households
284
4.0%
Living Alone
1,204
17.1%
Children Under 18
Total Children
5,507
In Married Couple
3,915
71.1%
With Single Mother
1,142
20.7%
With Single Father
450
8.2%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$71,494
Married Couple Income
$81,346
Single Mother Income
$38,268
Single Father Income
$44,335
Avg Family Size
3.1
Avg Non-Family Size
3.2
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
943
Grandparents Responsible
244
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$63,692
-13% vs national
Per Capita Income
$26,349
-29% vs national
Poverty Rate
18.2%
+34% vs national
Gini Index
0.4012
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
7.9%
+52% vs national
SNAP Recipients
21.1%
of households
How Rio Rico Compares
Rio Rico vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 10,000 - 25,000 residents. Rio Rico is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Rio Rico, AZ has a median household income of $63,692, making it the 14,824th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher median household income than 47% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Rio Rico, AZ has a per capita income of $26,349, making it the 21,125th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher per capita income than 25% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Rio Rico, AZ has a poverty rate of 18.2%, making it the 8,379th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher poverty rate than 73% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rico, AZ has a unemployment rate of 7.9%, making it the 6,037th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher unemployment rate than 81% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Rio Rico. The median household income here is $63,692.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
+5% vs AZ avg
Labor Force
10,119
Employed
9,274
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
14.6%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
31.1%
of adults 25+
Median Age
34.3
Work from Home
6.2%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Arizona metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Software Developers
Top Median Wage
$128.7K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
101.9
100 = national avg
+1.9 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$44,856
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$106,024
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$860
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,129
per month
The median household income in Rio Rico, AZ is $63,692, which is 13.0% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $26,349. The poverty rate of 18.2% is lower than the AZ state average of 18.4%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4012, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 7.9%, compared to the state average of 7.5%. The labor force is 10,119. 14.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 84.7% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 101.9, which is 1.9% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 108.4. A single adult needs to earn approximately $44,856 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$288,000
Median List Price
$310,000
Price Per Sq Ft
$182
Days on Market
80
Active Inventory
154
Months of Supply
6.2
Buyer's market
Zillow Home Value
$265,067
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$1,350
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
20.0%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
13.9%
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.6%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
25
New Listings
49
Pending Sales
36
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$182
Median List $/SF
$183
Rio Rico vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 10,000 - 25,000 residents. Rio Rico is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Rio Rico, AZ has a median home value of $212,600, making it the 11,439th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher median home value than 59% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Rio Rico, AZ has a median rent of $1,049, making it the 9,134th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher median rent than 59% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Rio Rico, AZ has a price per square foot of $182, making it the 9,515th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher price per square foot than 54% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Rio Rico, AZ has a rent burden of 19.8%, making it the 9,134th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Rio Rico has a higher rent burden than 58% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$212,600
Median Rent
$1,049
Total Housing Units
7,322
Vacancy Rate
3.7%
Owner Occupied
82.4%
Renter Occupied
17.6%
Median Property Tax
$1,378
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$1,058
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$1,378
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.65%
of home value
Median Home Value
$212,600
Estimated Mean Tax
$1,699
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($1,378) by the median home value ($212,600). In Rio Rico, AZ, this works out to an effective rate of 0.65%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Rio Rico, AZ is $288,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 80 days on the market. 20.0% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 6.2 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $182. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,350/month. About 82.4% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 2000. There are 7,322 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $1,378. The effective tax rate is 0.65%, below the national average.
Crime data is not yet available for Rio Rico. The FBI UCR/NIBRS program does not cover all jurisdictions.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
88.3
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
80.9
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
92.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
2.3
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
8
Public Assistance
$765K
Individual Assistance
$37K
Most Common Type
Flood
3 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Apr 2020 | $417K | $37K |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Az-ryan-wildfire-4/30/2002 → | Fire | Apr 2002 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Oct 2000 | $349K | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding → | Flood | Jan 1993 | — | — |
| Severe Storms & Flooding → | Flood | Oct 1983 | — | — |
| Severe Storms & Flooding → | Flood | Nov 1977 | — | — |
| Dr-4668 | Unknown | — | — | — |
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
161
Total Claims Paid
$1,286,258
Avg Claim Payout
$7,989
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
8
Federal Funding
$10,105,538
Properties Protected
7
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
4.72
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 402.1: Infrastructure Protective Measures (Roads and Bridges) | 4 | $808,684 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $22,800 |
| 402.3: Infrastructure Protective Measures | 1 | $8,407,440 |
| 403.4: Stormwater Management - Detention/Retention Basins | 1 | $532,444 |
| 403.2: Stormwater Management - Diversions; 403.4: Stormwater Management - Detention/Retention Basins | 1 | $334,170 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Rio Rico has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are heat wave, wildfire, lightning. The area has had 8 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (3 declarations). 161 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $765,205 in public assistance recovery funding. $37,281 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
34.8%
1.3pp below the national average
Depression Rate
16.0%
7.5pp below the national average
Diabetes Rate
14.3%
2.4pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
24.9%
14.3pp above the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
37.2%
Arthritis
21.4%
Cancer (excl. skin)
5.9%
Teeth Lost (65+)
13.6%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
14.8%
14+ days in past month
Depression
16.0%
Loneliness
29.2%
Lack of Support
27.6%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
34.9%
Mobility
16.1%
Cognitive
16.1%
Hearing
7.8%
Vision
9.0%
Self-Care
5.3%
Independent Living
8.6%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Rio Rico has an obesity rate of 34.8%, which is 1.3pp below the national average. The depression rate is 16.0%, 7.5pp below the national average. About 24.9% of adults lack health insurance. 72.0% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
5
Avg CMS Rating
3.0 / 5
Nearest Hospital
9.2 mi
Holy Cross Hospital
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Cross Hospital | 9.2 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita | 32.7 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Va S. Arizona Healthcare System | 47.3 mi | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | 4/5 | Yes |
| Banner-University Medical Center South Campus | 48.1 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Canyon Vista Medical Center | 48.3 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
84.7%
+8% vs national
Work From Home
6.2%
-34% vs national
Carpool
8.6%
Walk
0.3%
How Rio Rico's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
1
2023
3-Year Avg
1
fatalities/yr
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Rio Rico, AZ covers travel times and transportation modes. 84.7% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 6.2% work from home, which is below the AZ state average of 11.0%. 8.6% of workers carpool. In 2023, there were 1 traffic fatality from 1 fatal crash.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
89.2%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
64.7%
of households
No Internet
8.0%
of households
Total Households
7,049
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
97.7%
of households
Smartphone
91.2%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
73.2%
of households
Tablet
60.7%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
14.9¢
per kWh
-22% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
Commercial Rate
12.2¢
per kWh
-21% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
Industrial Rate
7.9¢
per kWh
-33% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$160
residential
+9% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
13% below the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in Arizona averages 14.9¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $160. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Rio Rico vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (10,000 - 25,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
89.2% of households in Rio Rico have broadband internet access. 64.7% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 11.9% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 8.0% of households have no internet access. 16.9% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Rio Rico is located in Santa Cruz County, AZ. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Rio Rico.
Election Overview
Source: Santa Cruz County (2024)2024 Winner
Democrat
Dem Votes
11,265
58.9%
GOP Votes
7,699
40.3%
Total Votes
19,121
Margin
D+18.6%
Shift from 2020
R+16.8pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11,265 | 7,699 | 19,121 | 58.9% | 40.3% | D+18.6 |
| 2020 | 13,138 | 6,194 | 19,561 | 67.2% | 31.7% | D+35.5 |
| 2016 | 10,684 | 3,650 | 14,926 | 71.6% | 24.4% | D+47.1 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Santa Cruz County recorded 19,121 total votes. Democrats won the county with 58.9% of the vote compared to 40.3% for Republicans, a margin of D+18.6%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+16.8pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Santa Cruz County has shifted 28.5 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
53
Total Assets
$51K
Total Income
$8K
Per 10K Residents
24.3
nonprofits
-61.6% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
0
Median Assets
$51K
Oldest Active
1941
ruling year
Newest Org
2025
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationNonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 10,000 - 25,000
Largest Nonprofits in Rio Rico
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF| Organization | Category | Assets | Income | Est. | IRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLICIA INTERNACIONAL SONORA ARIZONA INC | Crime & Legal | $51K | $8K | 2004 |
Rio Rico, AZ has 53 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $51K. The most common category is Recreation & Sports, with 9 organizations. That works out to 24.3 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1941.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
46
Total Approved
$20.9M
Jobs Supported
281
Per 10K Residents
21.1
SBA loans
-75.9% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
16
Top Lender
Wells Fargo Bank National Association
13 loans
Top Industry
Wholesale Trade
Data Span
1995–2025
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
40
Total Amount
$16.8M
Avg Loan
$418,875
Median Loan
$50,000
SBA Guaranteed
$12.3M(73%)
Jobs Supported
256
Loans
6
Total Amount
$4.1M
Avg Loan
$690,000
Median Loan
$642,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
4
9% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$1.6M
8% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$405,500
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 10,000 - 25,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grower Alliance L.l.c. | 1 | $2.6M |
| Rio Rico Plaza L.l.c. (epc) and Mrvg Inc. Dba Garrett's Iga Supermarket (oc) | 1 | $2.4M |
| Fresh Quality Produce Inc. | 1 | $1.7M |
| Gold Trust Llc | 1 | $1.6M |
| Valencia Warehouse Properties Llc | 1 | $1.6M |
| Malena Produce, Inc. | 1 | $1.3M |
| Rio Rico Auto Service Center 1 Llc | 2 | $1.1M |
| Audio Technologies Inc. | 1 | $1.0M |
| Allsafe Self Storage | 1 | $995K |
| Rich River Properties Llc | 1 | $747K |
Rio Rico, AZ has received 46 SBA loans totaling $20.9M in approved funding between 1995 and 2025. The 7(a) program accounts for 40 loans (87% of the total), supporting 256 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 6 loans totaling $4.1M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Wholesale Trade. The most active SBA lender in Rio Rico is Wells Fargo Bank National Association with 13 loans. That works out to 21.1 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
4
Total Population
44,798
Avg Median Income
$62,182
Avg Home Value
-$166,451,641
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85621 | 21,512 | $41,309 | $173,600 | $700 | 284.9 |
| 85640 | 162 | $58,424 | N/A | N/A | 2.9 |
| 85646 | 1,280 | $85,321 | $473,400 | N/A | 69.1 |
| 85648 | 21,844 | $63,672 | $213,100 | $1,049 | 215.4 |
Rio Rico, AZ has 4 ZIP codes with a combined population of 44,798. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $62,182. The average median home value is -$166,451,641. The average median monthly rent is -$333,332,896.
Similar Cities
Cities with similar population, income, housing, crime, education, and demographic profiles.