Rio Chama, New Mexico

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Population in July 2007: 3,734.
Males: 1,827  (49.0%)
Females: 1,907  (51.0%)
Median resident age:

34.1 years
New Mexico median age:

34.6 years

Zip code: 87510

Estimated median household income in 2021: $51,844 (it was $32,483 in 2000)
Rio Chama:

$51,844
NM:

$53,992

Estimated per capita income in 2021: $29,047 (it was $15,601 in 2000)

Rio Chama CCD income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2021: $228,420 (it was $97,200 in 2000)
Rio Chama:

$228,420
NM:

$214,000
March 2022 cost of living index in Rio Chama: 92.5 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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  • Races in Rio Chama, NM (2000)
    • 3,02880.2%Hispanic
    • 64217.0%White alone
    • 481.3%Two or more races
    • 300.8%American Indian alone
    • 180.5%Other race alone
    • 70.2%Asian alone
    • 40.1%Black alone

Races in Rio Chama detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth

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Current Local Time: MST time zone

Land area: 386.9 square miles.

Population density: 9.7 people per square mile   (very low).

Rio Chama, New Mexico map
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
Rio Chama CCD:

0.4% ($348)
New Mexico:

0.7% ($699)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Santa Fe, NM (46.6 miles , pop. 62,203).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Albuquerque, NM (84.2 miles , pop. 448,607).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Phoenix, AZ (381.0 miles , pop. 1,321,045).

Nearest cities:

El Rito, NM (2.3 miles ),
Abiquiu, NM (2.6 miles ),
Canones, NM (3.5 miles),
Chili, NM (3.8 miles ),
Canjilon, NM (4.0 miles ),
San Lorenzo, NM (4.1 miles),
El Duende, NM (4.2 miles ),
Los Luceros, NM (4.2 miles )

Latitude: 36.30 N, Longitude: 106.27 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 505

Distribution of median household income in Rio Chama, NM in 2021
Rio Chama satellite photo by USGS
Unemployment in November 2020:
Here:

3.0%
New Mexico:

3.1%
Most common industries in Rio Chama, NM (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Public administration (11.5%)
  • Educational services (10.8%)
  • Health care (9.9%)
  • Construction (9.5%)
  • Accommodation & food services (7.2%)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation (6.9%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (5.8%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Construction (17.2%)
  • Public administration (12.3%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (7.8%)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation (7.8%)
  • Educational services (7.2%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.2%)
  • Truck transportation (5.3%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (17.6%)
  • Educational services (14.2%)
  • Public administration (10.9%)
  • Accommodation & food services (8.1%)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation (6.1%)
  • Social assistance (4.8%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (4.2%)
Most common occupations in Rio Chama, NM (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (7.3%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (4.7%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.0%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (3.5%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (3.4%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (3.1%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (3.1%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (8.6%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (7.9%)
  • Electricians (4.7%)
  • Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (4.5%)
  • Agricultural workers, including supervisors (3.7%)
  • Construction laborers (3.7%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (3.3%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (6.5%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (6.2%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (5.9%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.9%)
  • Waiters and waitresses (5.0%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (4.6%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.2%)

Average climate in Rio Chama, New Mexico

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Rio Chama, New Mexico average temperatures Rio Chama, New Mexico average precipitation Rio Chama, New Mexico humidity Rio Chama, New Mexico wind speed Rio Chama, New Mexico snowfall Rio Chama, New Mexico sunshine Rio Chama, New Mexico clear and cloudy days

Earthquake activity:

Rio Chama-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above New Mexico state average. It is 824% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/23/2011 at 05:46:18, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 MW, Depth: 2.5 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 101.8 miles away from Rio Chama center
On 8/10/2005 at 22:08:22, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 91.4 miles away from the city center
On 8/10/2005 at 22:08:22, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 93.7 miles away from the city center
On 6/28/1992 at 11:57:34, a magnitude 7.6 (6.2 MB, 7.6 MS, 7.3 MW, Depth: 0.7 mi, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 597.7 miles away from Rio Chama center, causing 3 deaths (1 shaking deaths, 2 other deaths) and 400 injuries, causing $100,000,000 total damage and $40,000,000 insured losses
On 8/18/1959 at 06:37:13, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK) earthquake occurred 616.7 miles away from Rio Chama center, causing $26,000,000 total damage
On 8/22/2011 at 23:30:19, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 107.8 miles away from Rio Chama center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Rio Arriba County (13) is near the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 7
Emergencies Declared: 3

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Storms: 5, Fires: 4, Snows: 2, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Mudslide: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Rio Chama:

  • Santa Fe Community College (about 52 miles; Santa Fe, NM; Full-time enrollment: 3,047)
  • New Mexico Highlands University (about 76 miles; Las Vegas, NM; FT enrollment: 2,931)
  • University of Phoenix-Albuquerque Campus (about 79 miles; Albuquerque, NM; FT enrollment: 2,335)
  • Adams State University (about 85 miles; Alamosa, CO; FT enrollment: 2,805)
  • University of New Mexico-Main Campus (about 87 miles; Albuquerque, NM; FT enrollment: 23,042)
  • Central New Mexico Community College (about 87 miles; Albuquerque, NM; FT enrollment: 19,398)
  • San Juan College (about 111 miles; Farmington, NM; FT enrollment: 5,112)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear place borders

Notable locations in Rio Chama: Quarter Circle Ranch (A), Rancho de Abiquiu (B), Trujillo School (C), El Palacio Ranch (D), El Rito Picnic Grounds (E), FAA Electronic Site (F), Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiu (G), Cerrito Recreation Site (H), East Morada at Abiquiu Historic Site (I), El Rito District Ranger Office (J), El Rito Weather Station (K), El Rito Public Library (L), Abiquiu Fire Protection District Main Station (M), Abiquiu Fire Protection District Station 2 (N), El Rito Volunteer Fire Department (O), Delgado Hall Historic Site (P). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Rio Chama include: El Rito Community United Methodist Church (A), Vallecitos United Methodist Church (B), San Antonio Church (C). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lakes and reservoirs: Laguna Chico (A), Laguna Cerro Negro (B), Curve Tank (C), Corrales Tank (D), Cuchillas Trick Tank (E), Pine Canyon Tank (F), Madera Tank (G), Lucas Tank (H). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Abiquiu Creek (A), Pueblo Arroyo (B), Gallina Creek (C), Ojito Chico (D), Vallecitos Creek (E), La Canada (F), Arroyo de las Lemitas (G), Arroyo de los Pinavetes (H), El Rito (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Parks in Rio Chama include: Dominguez-Velez de Escalente Trail Historical Marker (1), El Rito Historical Marker (2), Old Spanish Trail Historical Marker (3), Abiquiu Historical Marker (4). Display/hide their locations on the map

Rio Arriba County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential
Average household size:
This place:

2.4 people
New Mexico:

2.5 people

Percentage of family households:
This place:

65.0%
Whole state:

65.5%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This place:

10.8%
Whole state:

8.2%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 1.0% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.6% of all households
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:
This place:

12.9%
Whole state:

18.4%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:
This place:

5.1%
Whole state:

7.8%
14 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) in 2000

For population 15 years and over in Rio Chama:

Marital status in Rio Chama, NM
  • Never married: 33.6%
  • Now married: 52.7%
  • Separated: 2.2%
  • Widowed: 4.9%
  • Divorced: 8.8%

For population 25 years and over in Rio Chama:

  • High school or higher: 77.6%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 21.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.6%
  • Unemployed: 4.5%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 35.5 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2000
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2000
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

14.4
New Mexico average:

14.5

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Rio Chama, NM (based on Rio Arriba County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic21,30541
Evangelical Protestant2,96029
Other1,1146
Mainline Protestant7229
Orthodox51
None14,140-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 7
Rio Arriba County:

1.72 / 10,000 pop.
New Mexico:

1.44 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
This county:

0.25 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.21 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 3
Here:

0.74 / 10,000 pop.
New Mexico:

0.32 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 21
Rio Arriba County:

5.16 / 10,000 pop.
New Mexico:

4.06 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 23
This county:

5.65 / 10,000 pop.
New Mexico:

7.12 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Here:

5.9%
New Mexico:

6.4%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:

21.0%
State:

22.1%

Strongest AM radio stations in Rio Chama:

  • KKOB (770 AM; 50 kW; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KDCE (950 AM; 4 kW; ESPANOLA, NM; Owner: RICHARD L. GARCIA BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KSWV (810 AM; 5 kW; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: LA VOZ BROADCASTING CO., INC.)
  • KTNN (660 AM; 50 kW; WINDOW ROCK, AZ; Owner: THE NAVAJO NATION)
  • KTRC (1260 AM; 5 kW; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: AGM NEVADA, LLC)
  • KHAC (880 AM; 43 kW; TSE BONITO, NM; Owner: WESTERN INDIAN MINISTRIES, INC.)
  • KKIM (1000 AM; 10 kW; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: AGM-NEVADA, LLC)
  • KNMX (540 AM; 5 kW; LAS VEGAS, NM; Owner: SANGRE DE CRISTO B/DCASTING CO, INC)
  • KXKS (1190 AM; 10 kW; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • KICA (980 AM; 50 kW; CLOVIS, NM; Owner: BROADCAST ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION)
  • KOA (850 AM; 50 kW; DENVER, CO; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING OF COLORADO, INC.)
  • KINF (1020 AM; 50 kW; ROSWELL, NM; Owner: JAMES CRYSTAL HOLDINGS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.)
  • KLTT (670 AM; 50 kW; COMMERCE CITY, CO; Owner: KLZ RADIO, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Rio Chama:

  • KBOM (94.7 FM; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: AGM NEVADA, LLC)
  • KTAO (101.9 FM; TAOS, NM; Owner: TAOS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
  • KSFQ (101.1 FM; WHITE ROCK, NM; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • KZNM (106.7 FM; LOS ALAMOS, NM; Owner: AGM NEVADA, LLC)
  • KQBA (107.5 FM; LOS ALAMOS, NM; Owner: HUTTON MEDIA, L.L.C.)
  • K244DO (96.7 FM; ALAMOSA, ETC., CO; Owner: SAN LUIS VALLEY TELEVISION, INC.)
  • KAJZ (105.1 FM; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: HBC LICENSE CORPORATION)
  • KABG (98.5 FM; LOS ALAMOS, NM; Owner: AGM-NEVADA, L.L.C.)
  • KRZY-FM (105.9 FM; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC)
  • KBAC (104.1 FM; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KKSS (97.3 FM; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: HBC LICENSE CORPORATION)
  • KRZA (88.7 FM; ALAMOSA, CO; Owner: EQUAL REPRESENTATION/MEDIA ADVOCACY)
  • KHFM (95.5 FM; SANTA FE, NM; Owner: AGM-NEVADA L.L.C)
  • KTZO (103.3 FM; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KLYT (88.3 FM; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: CONNECTION COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, INC.)
  • KRST (92.3 FM; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KUNM (89.9 FM; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: BOARD OF REGENTS UNIV. OF NEW MEXICO)
  • KANW (89.1 FM; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: BD. OF EDUC. CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM)
  • KKOB-FM (93.3 FM; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KBZU (96.3 FM; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Rio Chama, NM
  • 62.5%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 24.6%Wood
  • 5.7%Electricity
  • 3.4%Other fuel
  • 1.9%Utility gas
  • 1.5%Solar energy
  • 0.5%No fuel used
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Rio Chama, NM
  • 52.7%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 44.9%Wood
  • 1.4%Electricity
  • 1.0%Other fuel


Rio Chama compared to New Mexico state average:

  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Renting percentage below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.
  • House age significantly below state average.
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