Rio Rancho isn’t the only place that people are moving to in New Mexico. In fact, two other cities in Sandoval County have higher growth numbers, percentage wise than the City of Vision.

From 2007 to 2008, Bernalillo’s population increased by 17 percent and Cuba’s increased by 13 percent. Rio Rancho, meanwhile, had a steady growth rate of 3.9 percent.

Cuba is the fastest-growing city in the state this decade. Its population has more than doubled in nine years. In 2000, the city had 590 residents. Now, it is estimated to have 1,358 residents. Rio Rancho is the state’s third-largest city, with 79,655 residents. The data is from the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Rio Rancho is the second-fastest growing city in the state this decade, sporting a 54 percent increase this decade. In 2000, the city had 51,765 residents.

Albuquerque is the state’s largest city with an estimated population of 521,999. Las Cruces is the second-largest city with an estimated 91,865 inhabitants.

Santa Fe, the state’s capital, has 71,831 estimated residents, making it the fourth-largest city.

Sandoval County Commission Chairman Donnie Leonard (D-Corrales) attributed the county’s natural beauty to some of the growth.

“I think in the Cuba area, people are moving up there because it is rural, has a beautiful terrain and it’s a beautiful area to live,” he said. “I think more people are choosing to retire there to be up in the mountains. Bernalillo is having a lot of growth on the west side of the river around the Wal-Mart.”

Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack said the city’s population growth is mainly due to people buying homes in Cabezon, Loma Colorado, Northern Meadows and North Hills. He expects more homes to be sold in Loma Colorado and Northern Meadows.

In addition to residential growth, Swisstack foresees more commercial business in the city.

“For the last 15 months, there’s been a concerted effort to deal with the growth but also with the quality of life,” he said. “We have a clearer vision on how to solve some of the issues we’ve been facing, whether it’s roads or economic diversity. Growth will help economic diversity and it will help us deal with the quality of life and infrastructure needs.”

Swisstack said that increased residential growth will also help the city begin to position itself politically in the state.

Currently, only one member (Jack Thomas) of the seven-member state delegation that represents Rio Rancho in the state Legislature lives in Rio Rancho.

New Mexico will redraw the districts after the completion of the 2010 census and in 2012, the city could have more representation.

The Rio Rancho Development Services Department has issued 392 building permits this year, through May. Last year, the city issued 725 permits. Since 2000, the city has issued 12,675 permits.

Bernalillo’s population is estimated at 9,237. In 2000, the county seat had 6,611 residents,  a 40 percent increase this decade.

The state is estimated to have 1,984,356 inhabitants. In 2000, New Mexico had 1,819,046 residents. In 2007, the state had 1,964,402 residents.