Albuquerque metropolitan area

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Albuquerque Metropolitan Area

The Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is in central New Mexico, centered on the city of Albuquerque. It includes four counties: Bernalillo (home to Albuquerque), Sandoval (Rio Rancho), Torrance (Moriarty), and Valencia (Belen and Los Lunas).

Geography and size
- The metro covers about 9,300 square miles.
- Elevation ranges from about 4,767 feet near the Rio Grande to the high points of the Sandia Mountains at around 10,678 feet.
- It’s part of the larger Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Los Alamos combined area.

Population and growth
- About 915,000 people live in the MSA (roughly 916k in 2022).
- Population density is around 95 people per square mile.
- The bigger combined area (Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Los Alamos) had about 1.17 million people in 2020.

Economy
- The metro’s economy is diverse, with technology, government, education, healthcare, and tourism.
- Gross Domestic Product is about $53.9 billion (2022).
- Intel has a major facility in Rio Rancho, reflecting the region’s technology presence.

History and culture
- The area is linked to the legend of the Seven Cities of Gold.
- Albuquerque began in 1706 as La Villa de Alburquerque.
- It became part of the United States after the 1848 treaty, growing from a frontier trade hub to a modern city.
- The region has a long wine heritage dating back to the 1620s.

People and communities
- The area includes neighbors such as Laguna Pueblo and towns like Barelas, Bernalillo, and more.
- Notable places and future developments include Old Town Albuquerque, Route 66 heritage, the Rio Grande Bosque, the Route 66 Resort and Casino near Laguna Pueblo, and planned communities like Mesa del Sol and Santolina.

Demographics (rough picture from the 2010 census)
- Racial makeup: about 49% White, 47% Hispanic or Latino of any race, with small shares of Native American, African American, and Asian residents.
- Education: around 89–90% have a high school diploma or higher; about 35% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Income: median household income about $47,000; median family income around $59,000; per capita income about $25,000.

Time zone
- Mountain Time Zone (UTC−7; daylight time in summer, UTC−6).