Rio Rico, AZ

Arizona

Rio Rico is a small city in Arizona with a population of 21,798. Residents earn $63,692 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
21,798 Population 346/sq mi density
$63,692 Median Income $26,349 per capita
$212,600 Home Value $268,305 Zillow
$1,049 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$63,692 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$212,600 home value, $1,049/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,692
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $212,600
25% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.4%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,049
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.4%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.6%
34% higher than US avg

How Rio Rico Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population21,798
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density346/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 40%

Economy

B
Median Income$63,692
Per Capita$26,349
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty16.6%
County GDP$2,844M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$212,600
Rent$1,049
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$268,305

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression16.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI45 (Good)
Rain16.1 in/yr
Elevation3,506 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.4%
High School+81.9%
School Score4.62

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 59%
Commute27 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Rio Rico a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rio Rico receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Rio Rico offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rio Rico is $63,692, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 16.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rio Rico is $212,600, 25% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,049 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Rio Rico enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Rio Rico has a population of 21,798 with a density of 346 people per square mile. The median age is 34.3 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (40%).

Population

21,798
Total Population
346
People / sq mi
34.3yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
63.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

Rio Rico vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only20.0%
75% below US avg
Spanish80.0%
497% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Rio Rico vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rio Rico is $63,692, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Rio Rico vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,692
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,349
Avg Weekly Wage$1,147
IRS Avg AGI$54,861

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.6%
34% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,240
County GDP$2,844M

Business (County)

Restaurants102
Healthcare76
Retail156
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,792
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.2 min
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Rio Rico is $212,600, 25% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,049 (10% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $268,305.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$212,600
25% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$268,305
Median List Price$287,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$287,500
$/Sq Ft$171
Homes Sold17
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops23.1%
Inventory169

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,049
10% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,053
1 Bedroom$1,151
2 Bedrooms$1,419
3 Bedrooms$1,889
4 Bedrooms$2,158

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,792
37% above US avg
Effective Rate2.25%
In Rio Rico, 34.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 16.2% report depression. 29.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rio Rico vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.4%
7% above US avg
Diabetes12.8%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma9.3%
COPD5.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.5%
Physical Inactivity29.4%
Depression16.2%
Mental Distress15.3%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate70.5%
Premature Death6,447/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.7/10
Exercise Access61.2%
Healthcare Facilities76

Crime Rates: Rio Rico vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Rio Rico has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.4°F
16% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.1 inches
58% below US avg
Snowfall0.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,506 ft (1,069 m)
Area63.1 sq mi (163.4 km²)
Population Density346/sq mi
Coordinates31.4982°N, 110.9878°W
County FIPS04023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 18.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.3%
D 58.9%

Winner: Democrat by 18.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.4%
28% below US avg
High School+81.9%
School Test Score4.62
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density346/sq mi
Total Area63.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities76
Restaurants102
Retail Stores156

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.2 min
Work from Home6.2%

Nearby Cities

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