Visitors, Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce

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Rio Rico, “Rich River” in Spanish, a planned community covering 39,000 acres in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, is located 10 miles north of the US/Mexico International border and 55 miles south of Tucson. Rio Rico sits at the foot of San Cayetano Mountain which soars 6500 feet above the Santa Cruz valley. With an elevation of 3500 feet the Santa Cruz Valley and Rio Rico enjoy a moderate year round climate. With a temperature usually 15-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix’s “Valley of the Sun”, Rio Rico is an oasis in the desert. The sun shines almost every day and the golf courses seldom miss a day of play.

Its close proximity to Nogales and the Mexican border allows for short excursions in the Mexico. This location makes Rio Rico and the Valley a destination for day trippers as well as weekend visitors.

With a current population exceeding 20,000 Rio Rico retains its rural splendor. The Santa Cruz River, which flows year around, provides refuge to a wide variety of native wildlife. As you traverse the rural roads you may encounter coyotes, hawks, fox, javelinas and deer. This bucolic environment also provides a home for many migrating birds. Bird watching has become a large attraction for visitors to the area. The wetlands that are formed along the Santa Cruz River provide a refuge to many species of wetland birds including ducks and herons. Hang a feeder and the various species of the hummingbird will keep you entertained for hours with their humorous flying antics.

The community was established in 1969 and was originally part of the Baca Float Land Grant. The Luis Maria Baca family was granted 100,000 acres from the government of Spain. Subsequently granted by the Congress to the heirs of Luis Maria Baca, it was divided into approximately 25,000 lots known as Rio Rico. That was equal to one lot for every man, woman and child then living in the entire County of Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz County’s total population was 29,676 in 1990 and by 2005 was estimated at 46.500. Rio Rico grew from 1,400 residents in 1990 to the current estimate of 20,000. The population increases in the winter with vacationers who come to enjoy the magnificent weather, the fantastic golf, the majestic sunsets, and some of the best star watching available anywhere.

US Census Bureau 2010 Santa Cruz County