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Mariposa Subdivision

Mariposa Subdivision

$533,470 Average Value

Mariposa combines suburban comfort with Southwestern charm

In the Mariposa Subdivision, residents get modern suburbia with a taste of the natural Southwestern environment. “Most of the people that go to Mariposa are going out there because they want to get away from the city life, but not be too far from the city,” says Randy Lawson, leader of the Lawson Realty team and a Realtor since 2016. Situated in the sandy outskirts of Rio Rancho, New Mexico’s third-largest city, this master-planned development provides views of the Sandia Mountains and access to several miles of trails through the region’s rugged landscape. Yet Mariposa also offers spacious houses, a community center and an on-site restaurant.

Neighborhoods share Pueblo and Mediterranean-style homes

Mariposa contains several neighborhoods, including Vista Sandia, Desert Highlands and Highland Meadows. The Peaks and Redondo neighborhoods are gated. Mariposa Estates is known for having roomier lots than some other sections of the development, up to an acre. “They’re going to be bigger square footage and have more amenities in the house, such as chef’s kitchens and granite or quartz countertops,” Lawson says. The architectural styles around Mariposa are similar, mainly Mediterranean and Pueblo. Most properties are under 10 years old, and new construction is ongoing. Homes sell for $400,000 to $830,000 based on square footage — the average is 2,400, but the largest options top out at over 4,000 square feet. The CAP Index Crime Score in Mariposa is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.

Rio Rancho schools have high ratings, range of activities

Lawson says the Rio Rancho Public Schools system is one of the draws to the area. The district has an A rating on Niche. Students living in Mariposa may go to Vista Grande Elementary, rated A-minus, which offers Students Achieving for Excellence, a before- and after-school program with science, sports and music activities. The A-rated Mountain View Middle counts an art club and a student council among its extracurriculars. V. Sue Cleveland High carries an A-minus grade and has multiple successful athletic teams, with recent state championships in sports including football, boys and girls soccer, boys track and field, and girls wrestling.

Suburban setting blends with nature and public amenities

This development’s suburban atmosphere fades into the natural setting of the 2,200-acre Mariposa Preserve. Located just beyond the homes here, the preserve has roughly 10 miles of paths open to hiking and biking. Mariposa’s East Commons Park has a playground, a basketball court, a pavilion and open field space. The park is next to a 12,000-square-foot community center, with a gym and indoor and outdoor pools. Residents are also just about 10 miles from the adjacent Santa Ana Golf Club and Twin Warriors Golf Club, both open to the public.

Mariposa events help residents get active

The Mariposa Neighborhood Association hosts recurring events for residents, including monthly hikes and weekly Saturday-morning mountain bike rides. There’s also an August Harvest Festival with artisan vendors and a trunk-or-treat for Halloween. The city of Rio Rancho has an annual Fourth of July celebration with fireworks and an Oktoberfest event packed with drinks, food and live music.

Mariposa’s quiet setting is close to restaurants and shops

People may move to Mariposa to escape the city, but the development’s location is still close to commercial amenities. In Mariposa, the Screaming Coyote, a restaurant that opened in spring 2025 next to the community center, has a bar, TVs for sports, and a menu with hot dogs, flatbreads and other items. Roughly 20 miles away off Pat D’Arco Highway, a corridor with Walmart, T.J. Maxx and PetSmart, there are even more options. That area features The Block, a food court with multiple restaurants serving burgers, pizza, crepes, boba tea and more.

Commuters are close to area highways

Drivers in Mariposa are just about 4 miles from U.S. Route 550, which provides a relatively quick connection to Interstate 25. I-25 is a route to places like Sandia National Laboratories, one of the area’s major employers, 35 miles away. The Albuquerque International Sunport is a 32-mile trip on I-25 and has direct flights to over 30 places. The 59-bed University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center is 7 miles away in Rio Rancho.

Wayne Epps Jr.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Margaret Henderson, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Albuquerque International Sunport

60 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Mariposa Subdivision US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
507
Median Year Built
2018
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,401
Above the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Aug 10
    1 - 3pm

    2927 Kings Canyon Loop NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

    $450,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,050 Sq Ft
    • 2927 Kings Canyon Loop NE

    Welcome to 2927 Kings Canyon Loop in the exclusive gated Mariposa--tailored for people seeking comfort, connection, and natural beauty. This high-desert gem features an owned solar system, Miele built-in stove, granite countertops, and a private hot tub with stunning views. The backyard is xeriscaped with Southwest flair, offering style with low maintenance.Enjoy access to a Silver LEED-certified

    Aaron Burnett Simply Real Estate

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  • Thursday, Aug 7
    11am - 2pm

    2400 Desert Marigold Rd, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

    $740,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 3,042 Sq Ft
    • 2400 Desert Marigold Rd
    • New 4 days ago

    Luxury Living in Mariposa Estates. Welcome to this stunning Hakes Brothers home in the desirable Highlands at Mariposa. Set on a 0.69-acre lot, this elegant 4-bedroom residence offers a blend of modern design and high-end finishes, including beamed ceilings, 8-foot doors, hand-textured walls, and upgraded tile flooring. The open floor plan features a bright great room with a contemporary

    Francesco Crisafulli Keller Williams Realty

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  • Sunday, Aug 10
    1 - 3pm

    2520 Guadalupe Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

    $465,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,056 Sq Ft
    • 2520 Guadalupe Rd NE

    Step into effortless living in this beautifully designed Serenity model, newer construction home featuring 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Thoughtfully crafted with a modern open-concept layout, this home is perfect for both entertaining and everyday life. The heart of the home is a bright, contemporary kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and a large

    Jenny Thai Keller Williams Realty

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Margaret Henderson, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,052
Median Age
52
Population under 18
17.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$118,560
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$117,134

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
100%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
64.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.7%
% Population in Labor Force
65.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
10''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

40 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Mariposa Subdivision
Margaret Henderson
Momentum Real Estate Group
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