Bernalillo County, New Mexico | |
|---|---|
 Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNew Mexico | |
| Coordinates:35°03′N106°40′W / 35.05°N 106.67°W /35.05; -106.67 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Mexico |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Seat | Albuquerque |
| Largest city | Albuquerque |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,167 sq mi (3,020 km2) |
| • Land | 1,161 sq mi (3,010 km2) |
| • Water | 6.4 sq mi (17 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 676,444 |
| • Density | 580/sq mi (220/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st,2nd |
| Website | www |
Bernalillo County (/ˌbɜːrnəˈliːjoʊ/) is the most populouscounty in theU.S. state ofNew Mexico.[1] As of the2020 census, the population was 676,444.[2] Thecounty seat,Albuquerque,[3] is the most populous city in New Mexico. Bernalillo County is the central county of the Albuquerque, NMMetropolitan Statistical Area.
Bernalillo County was one of sevenpartidos established during Mexican rule; in 1852, within two years of the creation of theNew Mexico Territory, Bernalillo became one of that territory's nine original counties.[1] Bernalillo County was named for the town ofBernalillo, which is no longer part of the county.[4] The towns ofLos Ranchos de Albuquerque and Bernalillo were previously thecounty seats, but the capital was finally established inAlbuquerque in 1883.[5] In 1876, it absorbedSanta Ana County.
In 1906, years after theLand Revision Act of 1891 provided for thesetting aside of forest reserves, the parts of Bernalillo County currently known asCibola National Forest were established as reserves.[6]
USSLST-306, aWorld War IItank landing ship that participated in theAllied invasion of Italy, was renamed as USSBernalillo County in 1955.Sandia Mountain Wilderness was created in 1978 and thePetroglyph National Monument was established in June 1990.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,167 square miles (3,020 km2), of which 1,161 square miles (3,010 km2) is land and 6.4 square miles (17 km2) (0.5%) is water.[7] It is the third-smallest county in New Mexico by area.
Bernalillo County is in central New Mexico, and "stretches from theEast Mountain area (just east of theSandia Mountains) to the Volcano Cliffs on the west mesa."[8]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 7,751 | — | |
| 1860 | 8,769 | 13.1% | |
| 1870 | 7,591 | −13.4% | |
| 1880 | 17,225 | 126.9% | |
| 1890 | 20,913 | 21.4% | |
| 1900 | 28,630 | 36.9% | |
| 1910 | 23,606 | −17.5% | |
| 1920 | 29,855 | 26.5% | |
| 1930 | 45,430 | 52.2% | |
| 1940 | 69,391 | 52.7% | |
| 1950 | 145,673 | 109.9% | |
| 1960 | 262,199 | 80.0% | |
| 1970 | 315,774 | 20.4% | |
| 1980 | 419,700 | 32.9% | |
| 1990 | 480,577 | 14.5% | |
| 2000 | 556,678 | 15.8% | |
| 2010 | 662,564 | 19.0% | |
| 2020 | 676,444 | 2.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2019[2] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 676,444. The median age was 38.9 years, with 21.1% of residents under the age of 18 and 17.5% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.4 males.[13]
The racial makeup of the county was 52.2% White, 3.2%Black or African American, 5.6%American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.0%Asian, 0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 14.9% from some other race, and 21.0% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 48.7% of the population.[14]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 268,972 | 274,862 | 253,355 | 48.32% | 41.48% | 37.45% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 13,700 | 16,293 | 17,871 | 2.46% | 2.46% | 2.64% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 19,776 | 26,258 | 30,628 | 3.55% | 3.96% | 4.53% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 10,289 | 14,631 | 19,226 | 1.85% | 2.21% | 2.84% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 398 | 469 | 564 | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.08% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 864 | 1,450 | 3,505 | 0.16% | 0.22% | 0.52% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 9,114 | 11,512 | 21,814 | 1.64% | 1.74% | 3.22% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 233,565 | 317,089 | 329,481 | 41.96% | 47.86% | 48.71% |
| Total | 556,678 | 662,564 | 676,444 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
96.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 4.0% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 279,298 households in the county, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 30.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 299,451 housing units, of which 6.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 61.7% were owner-occupied and 38.3% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.[13]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 662,564 people, 266,000 households, and 164,104 families living in the county.[19] The population density was 570.8 inhabitants per square mile (220.4 inhabitants/km2). There were 284,234 housing units at an average density of 244.9 units per square mile (94.6 units/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 69.4% white, 4.8% American Indian, 3.0% black or African American, 2.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 16.0% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 47.9% of the population.[19] The largest ancestry groups were:[21]
Of the 266,000 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.3% were non-families, and 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 35.8 years.[19]
The median income for a household in the county was $47,481 and the median income for a family was $59,809. Males had a median income of $42,189 versus $34,432 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,143. About 11.8% of families and 15.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.[22]
As of thecensus[23] of 2000, there were 556,678 people, 220,936 households, and 141,178 families living in the county, making Bernalillo the most populouscounty in the state.[1] The population density was 477 inhabitants per square mile (184 inhabitants/km2). There were 239,074 housing units at an average density of 205 units per square mile (79/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.75%White, 2.77%Black orAfrican American, 4.16%Native American, 1.93%Asian, 0.10%Pacific Islander, 16.07% fromother races, and 4.22% from two or more races. 41.96% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 220,936 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.00% weremarried couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.10% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,788, and the median income for a family was $46,613. Males had a median income of $33,720 versus $26,318 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $20,790. About 10.20% of families and 13.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.
| District | Name | Party | Took office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barbara Baca | Democratic | 2023 |
| 2 | Frank Baca | Democratic | 2015 |
| 3 | Adriann Barboa | Democratic | 2021 |
| 4 | Walt Benson | Republican | 2021 |
| 5 | Eric C. Olivas | Democratic | 2023 |
| Office | Name | Party | Took office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheriff | John Allen | Democratic | 2023 |
| Assessor | Damian Lara | Democratic | 2023 |
| Clerk | Linda Stover | Democratic | 2017 |
| Treasurer | Tim Eichenberg | Democratic | 2025 |
| Probate judge | Cristy J. Carbón-Gaul | Democratic | 2019 |
| District | Name | Party | Took office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Brenda McKenna | Democratic | 2021 |
| 10 | Katy Duhigg | Democratic | 2021 |
| 11 | Linda M. Lopez | Democratic | 1997 |
| 12 | Jerry Ortiz y Pino | Democratic | 2005 |
| 13 | Bill B. O'Neill | Democratic | 2013 |
| 14 | Michael Padilla | Democratic | 2013 |
| 15 | Daniel Ivey-Soto | Democratic | 2013 |
| 16 | Antoinette Sedillo Lopez | Democratic | 2019 |
| 17 | Mimi Stewart | Democratic | 2009 |
| 18 | Bill Tallman | Democratic | 2017 |
| 19 | Gregg Schmedes | Republican | 2021 |
| 20 | Martin Hickey | Democratic | 2021 |
| 21 | Mark Moores | Republican | 2013 |
| 22 | Benny Shendo | Democratic | 2013 |
| 23 | Harold Pope Jr. | Democratic | 2021 |
| 26 | Moe Maestas | Democratic | 2022 |
| 29 | Gregory A. Baca | Republican | 2021 |
| 39 | Liz Stefanics | Democratic | 2017 |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 1,002 | 26.61% | 1,199 | 31.85% | 1,564 | 41.54% |
| 1916 | 2,711 | 52.26% | 2,394 | 46.14% | 83 | 1.60% |
| 1920 | 4,969 | 50.53% | 4,808 | 48.90% | 56 | 0.57% |
| 1924 | 7,078 | 49.55% | 6,023 | 42.17% | 1,183 | 8.28% |
| 1928 | 8,725 | 56.99% | 6,572 | 42.92% | 14 | 0.09% |
| 1932 | 7,309 | 40.06% | 10,722 | 58.77% | 212 | 1.16% |
| 1936 | 7,107 | 31.47% | 15,305 | 67.78% | 170 | 0.75% |
| 1940 | 11,999 | 45.35% | 14,428 | 54.53% | 34 | 0.13% |
| 1944 | 11,662 | 48.79% | 12,229 | 51.16% | 13 | 0.05% |
| 1948 | 16,668 | 47.13% | 18,305 | 51.76% | 391 | 1.11% |
| 1952 | 33,964 | 59.38% | 23,164 | 40.50% | 72 | 0.13% |
| 1956 | 41,893 | 64.31% | 22,954 | 35.24% | 296 | 0.45% |
| 1960 | 44,805 | 52.06% | 40,908 | 47.53% | 348 | 0.40% |
| 1964 | 42,583 | 43.31% | 55,036 | 55.98% | 698 | 0.71% |
| 1968 | 56,234 | 54.96% | 40,835 | 39.91% | 5,252 | 5.13% |
| 1972 | 79,993 | 60.80% | 48,753 | 37.06% | 2,816 | 2.14% |
| 1976 | 76,614 | 53.98% | 63,949 | 45.06% | 1,363 | 0.96% |
| 1980 | 83,956 | 53.45% | 54,841 | 34.92% | 18,266 | 11.63% |
| 1984 | 104,694 | 60.08% | 67,789 | 38.90% | 1,779 | 1.02% |
| 1988 | 92,830 | 53.62% | 78,346 | 45.25% | 1,959 | 1.13% |
| 1992 | 77,304 | 38.52% | 90,863 | 45.27% | 32,531 | 16.21% |
| 1996 | 78,832 | 43.19% | 88,140 | 48.28% | 15,571 | 8.53% |
| 2000 | 95,249 | 46.62% | 99,461 | 48.68% | 9,609 | 4.70% |
| 2004 | 121,454 | 47.29% | 132,252 | 51.50% | 3,105 | 1.21% |
| 2008 | 110,521 | 38.67% | 171,556 | 60.03% | 3,701 | 1.30% |
| 2012 | 106,408 | 39.27% | 150,739 | 55.63% | 13,822 | 5.10% |
| 2016 | 94,698 | 34.48% | 143,417 | 52.22% | 36,547 | 13.31% |
| 2020 | 116,135 | 36.57% | 193,757 | 61.01% | 7,698 | 2.42% |
| 2024 | 118,762 | 38.21% | 184,117 | 59.23% | 7,965 | 2.56% |
In presidential elections prior to 1992, Bernalillo County primarily voted for Republican Party candidates, supporting only three Democratic candidates in six elections total. (Franklin D. Roosevelt four times,Harry S. Truman andLyndon B. Johnson once each).
From 1992 on, the county has backed Democratic Party candidates in every presidential election. While the margins were relatively narrow from 1992 to 2004, since then the county has tilted strongly Democratic similar to many urban counties nationwide.
The region around Nob Hill and Downtown, which includes the University of New Mexico, is where the greatest Democratic strength in the county lies, with parts of the North Valley near the river also contributing. TheIsleta Reservation in the southern strip of the county is also a highly Democratic region. The majority HispanicSouth Valley, as well as Atrisco and Armijo, which have long been Democratic strongholds, have been trending strongly toward the Republican party, with several precincts flipping in the 2024 election. Republican strength in the county lies east of Tijeras, in parts of the southeast near Kirtland Air Force Base, and for a long time in much of the Northeast Heights region. This latter area showed a Democratic trend in the 2024 election.[24]
A localtoponymic oddity is that the town ofBernalillo, north of Albuquerque, is no longer in Bernalillo County. When established in 1852, the county was named for the town of Bernalillo. But the latter was incorporated into the newly establishedSandoval County in 1903.[4][25]
There are three school districts in the county:[26]
Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools:
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), a BIE community college, is in an unincorporated area in the county.[27]
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Inst- also seen in:"2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Bernalillo County, NM"(PDF).U.S. Census Bureau. p. 26 (PDF p. 27/41). RetrievedNovember 6, 2023.
Places adjacent to Bernalillo County, New Mexico | ||||||||||||||||
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Atrisco Heritage Academy HS,Kirtland Air Force Base, andNational Museum of Nuclear Science & History are adjacent to but outside of the city limits. | |||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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