Rio Rico ZIP Code List — Santa Cruz County, AZ

There is one unique ZIP code in Rio Rico, Arizona and it is 85648. Area code: 520.

ZIP codes

215.43

sq mi land

0.32

sq mi water

520

area code

Rio Rico, AZ ZIP code map

About Rio Rico, AZ

Rio Rico, Arizona, is a unique community located in Santa Cruz County. This city is known for its picturesque landscapes and diverse population, situated against the backdrop of the stunning Sonoran Desert. Its rich culture and inviting atmosphere make it an appealing destination for both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Rio Rico lies a short distance from the Mexican border, making it strategically positioned for trade and cultural exchange. The city is approximately 10 miles from Nogales, AZ, and about 30 miles from Tucson, AZ. It spans an impressive land area of 430.86 square miles, with a small water area of 0.65 square miles, reflecting the predominantly arid terrain of the region.

Community & economy

The character of Rio Rico is marked by its strong sense of community, where residents often engage in local events and activities. Agriculture and tourism are key industries in the area, contributing to the local economy and offering various job opportunities. Daily life in Rio Rico is characterized by a mix of cultural influences and a laid-back lifestyle, perfect for those who enjoy a quieter way of living.

Transportation

Major highways such as Interstate 19 provide convenient access to and from Rio Rico, connecting it to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest airport is Nogales International Airport, located about 15 miles away, offering limited commercial service. Public transit options in the area may be limited, emphasizing the need for personal vehicle transport.

History

Rio Rico was developed in the mid-20th century and has since evolved into a vibrant community in southern Arizona. The area has historically been centered around agriculture and has seen growth due to its appeal as a residential area for those working in nearby Nogales. Notable events in its development include the establishment of its infrastructure that has catered to both its residential and commercial growth.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rio Rico is that it was initially designed as a planned community, aimed at attracting retirees and snowbirds. Additionally, the area hosts a variety of outdoor recreational activities, thanks to its expansive desert landscape and proximity to public lands.

ZIP codes for Rio Rico, AZ (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
85648	Rio Rico	Santa Cruz	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,509

Population

34.0

Median age

$62,461

Median household income

$25,238

Per capita income

$191,000

Median home value

$1,002

Median monthly rent

81.8%

Home ownership

16.5%

Poverty rate

7.7%

Unemployment

5,859

Housing units

23.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

874

Under 5

906

896

5–9

928

1,008

10–14

1,045

734

15–19

760

849

20–24

879

1,203

25–34

1,246

1,279

35–44

1,326

1,228

45–54

1,272

564

55–59

585

743

60–64

770

798

65–74

826

334

75–84

347

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,604	30.7%
18 and over	14,905	69.3%
65 and over	2,414	11.2%
Median age	34.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 33.4%

Hispanic or Latino 32.8%

Two or more races 23.8%

Other race 9.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	10,688	33.4%
Hispanic or Latino	10,499	32.8%
Two or more races	7,627	23.8%
Other race	2,999	9.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	111	0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	73	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.6%

$10k–$15k 1.7%

$15k–$25k 6.9%

$25k–$35k 12.2%

$35k–$50k 14.9%

$50k–$75k 19.1%

$75k–$100k 13.6%

$100k–$150k 17.5%

$150k–$200k 6.4%

$200k+ 4.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.6%
$10k–$15k	1.7%
$15k–$25k	6.9%
$25k–$35k	12.2%
$35k–$50k	14.9%
$50k–$75k	19.1%
$75k–$100k	13.6%
$100k–$150k	17.5%
$150k–$200k	6.4%
$200k+	4.0%
Median income	$62,461

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 0.4%

$50k–$100k 4.7%

$100k–$150k 20.6%

$150k–$200k 28.6%

$200k–$300k 32.5%

$300k–$500k 8.0%

$500k–$1M 3.6%

$1M+ 1.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$191,000
Median rent / month	$1,002
Owner occupied	81.8%
Renter occupied	18.2%
Vacant	3.7%
Single-family detached	88.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.8%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	3.13

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.9%
2010–2019	8.3%
2000–2009	34.3%
1990–1999	31.2%
1980–1989	16.4%
1970–1979	7.7%
1960–1969	0.1%
1950–1959	0.7%
1940–1949	0.3%
1939 or earlier	0.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	1.5%
2 bedrooms	13.2%
3 bedrooms	69.1%
4 bedrooms	13.7%
5+ bedrooms	2.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.8%
1 vehicle	21.1%
2 vehicles	34.6%
3 or more	42.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	11.3%
Electricity	72.9%
Propane / LP gas	11.2%
Wood	3.1%
Solar	0.8%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,113	60.1%
Cohabiting couple	572	8.4%
Male householder, no spouse	725	10.6%
Female householder, no spouse	1,434	21.0%
Households with children under 18	3,164	46.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,859	27.2%
Average household size	3.14

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.3%	32.6%
Married	58.0%	51.4%
Separated	0.8%	1.1%
Widowed	1.1%	4.1%
Divorced	10.8%	10.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.4%

Some HS, no diploma 11.6%

HS graduate 28.3%

Some college, no degree 19.0%

Associate's degree 11.8%

Bachelor's degree 15.2%

Graduate / professional 8.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.0%
Bachelor's or higher	23.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	412	7.2%
Kindergarten	334	5.8%
Elementary school	2,748	48.1%
High school	1,379	24.1%
College / grad school	844	14.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.0%

Transportation & utilities 13.1%

Public administration 11.8%

Retail trade 9.0%

Construction 7.3%

Wholesale trade 6.8%

Professional & management 5.6%

Manufacturing 5.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.0%

Agriculture & mining 4.2%

Other services 3.3%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Information 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.4%
Service	22.5%
Sales & office	27.5%
Natural resources & construction	12.0%
Production & transportation	11.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	70.0%
Government	24.6%
Self-employed	5.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.0%
Carpool	8.8%
Public transit	0.7%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.2

Poverty

All people 16.5%

Under 18 years 20.6%

18 and over 14.6%

Married-couple families 11.6%

Female-led households 28.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	27.8%
Retirement income	25.5%
Supplemental Security	2.0%
Cash public assistance	4.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	20.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.4%
High cholesterol	29.9%
Heart disease	5.2%
Stroke	2.6%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	17.9%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	5.2%
Cancer	4.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.2%
No physical activity	26.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.4%
Fair or poor health	19.5%
Poor mental health	15.2%
Poor physical health	12.0%
No health insurance	30.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	67.6%
Visited dentist	56.2%
Cholesterol screening	87.3%
Teeth loss	13.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	794	5.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.4%
Under 18	2.3%
18–64 years	9.9%
65 and over	34.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	49.5%
Public insurance	50.4%
Uninsured under 19	4.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	19,729	91.7%
Spanish	5,710	28.9%
Other Indo-European	5,702	28.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	8	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	15,335	71.3%
Born in same state	14,867	69.1%
Born in different state	11,682	54.3%
Foreign born	468	2.2%
Naturalized citizen	6,174	28.7%
Not a US citizen	4,105	66.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	386	1.8%
Italian	382	1.8%
Arab	286	1.3%
Polish	108	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	102	0.5%
Irish	31	0.1%
Dutch	31	0.1%
German	22	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	31.8%
Internet access	96.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Rio Rico, AZ?

Rio Rico, AZ has one ZIP code: 85648.

What is the main ZIP code for Rio Rico, AZ?

The primary ZIP code for Rio Rico, AZ is 85648. The city uses area code 520 for phone service.

What county is Rio Rico, AZ in?

Rio Rico is located in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.

How many ZIP codes are in Rio Rico, AZ?

Rio Rico, AZ has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing something to a business in Rio Rico's commercial district near Interstate 19?

Businesses and residences in Rio Rico's main commercial area near I-19 use the ZIP code 85648, which covers the entire community.

What is the ZIP code for Rio Rico's residential areas south of Tubac in Santa Cruz County?

All residential neighborhoods throughout Rio Rico, including areas south of Tubac, are served by ZIP code 85648.