The population of Sandoval County has similar age distribution to the United States average, with a slight skewing both older and younger. Sandoval County has a slightly higher share of children under 15 (19.4%) than the US average and residents over 55 years old (30.2%). In contrast, Sandoval County has a lower share of young people between 15 and 34 years old.

From 2011 to 2016, the fastest growing age brackets in Sandoval County were those over 65 years old (39% growth), 25 to 34-year-olds (13%), and 55 to 64-year-olds (11%). Two age groups declined over this period – children under 15 (5% decline) and 45 to 54-year-olds (8%).

At 25.5% of the population, Sandoval County has a slightly lower share of Young Professionals than the national average (26.3%). The Labor Shed has a lower share of Young Professionals at 24.2% - combined with a low median age – this indicates the Labor Shed has a higher share of children and young adults under 25.

Sandoval County’s population is growing – largely because many new residents continue to move into the county. Overall migration is net positive – more people are moving into Sandoval County than are leaving – but it is revealing the sources and destinations of this movement.

Examining IRS migration data from 2010 to 2015 shows that the top sources of net new residents to Sandoval County are primarily other communities in New Mexico. Bernalillo County is the top source of new residents to Sandoval County – accounting for 3,052 net new residents between 2010 and 2015 – followed by Santa Fe (401 net new residents), Farmington (231), Las Cruces (166), and Overseas Military (109).

The top destinations for those leaving Sandoval County over this period were Phoenix (794 net exiting residents), Portland (376), Dallas (161), Colorado Springs (159), and San Jose (118). Overall the top destination states for exiting residents were Texas, California, and Colorado.

In many ways, Sandoval County has traditionally been seen a bedroom community – with a much higher share of residents than jobs. In recent years, rapid population growth and slow job creation have continued to perpetuate this perception.

In 2016, Sandoval County had 2.1 jobs per 10 residents – compared to 4.1 in the Albuquerque Metro and 4.4 in the United States. With 4.4 jobs per 10 residents, the Labor Shed has the same balance of jobs and residents as the US average – representing a well-rounded overall economy.

Sandoval County’s population is more diverse than the national average. In 2016, 44% of Sandoval County residents were white, non-Hispanic – compared to 61% nationally. Sandoval County has an above average share of Native American (12% locally vs. 1% nationally) and Hispanic (38% vs. 18%) residents. Sandoval County’s non-white populations are also those that are growing. From 2011 to 2016, the fastest growing population groups were Other (which primarily includes mixed race and two or more race residents – 172% growth), Hispanic (12%), and Native American (12%).

Sandoval County’s median household income has fluctuated in recent years and reached $57,200 in 2016 – above the Albuquerque Metro ($50,500) and state of New Mexico ($45,700) but slightly below the United States ($57,600).

Sandoval County has a relatively high median household income but also features poverty levels above the national average. In 2016, 16% of individuals in Sandoval County fell below the poverty line – compared to 14% nationally.

The county has much less poverty than New Mexico as a whole, where 20% of all residents fall below the poverty line. Poverty levels in the Labor Shed match the state at 19.3%.

ESRI's Tapestry Segmentation Area Profile of Rio Rancho identifies population segments based on demographics and socioeconomic characteristics. The top segments in Rio Rancho include Up and Coming Families, Home Improvement, Soccer Moms, Midlife Constants and American Dreamers. To view or download the entire report, click here. For a glossary of the LifeMode groups used by ESRI in the report, click here.

TOP TAPESTRY SEGMENTS 2017