[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.5 km2), all of it land.

The geography of the area consists of a wide variety of geographical features, including rocky and rolling hills and low-lying valleys.

The usually dry San Jacinto River runs along the northern portion of the area.

[4] The natural vegetation consists primarily of Coastal Sage Scrub,[5] though much of this natural vegetation is visibly absent or exists in remnant form within the lowlands of the area where residential and agricultural uses are most prevalent.

There were 1,963 housing units at an average density of 289.9 per square mile (111.9/km2), of which 1,400 (78.0%) were owner-occupied, and 395 (22.0%) were occupied by renters.

Nuevo is in an unincorporated area and falls under the jurisdiction of the 5th District of Riverside County.

Being unincorporated, Nuevo has no formal local government such as a mayor, city council, or treasurer - however, it has a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), made up of residents appointed by the 5th District county supervisor.

In the California State Legislature, Nuevo is in the 23rd Senate District, represented by Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares, and the 67th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva.

All of Nuevo is in the Perris Union High School District for grades 9-12.