Albuquerque is the most populated city in the state of New Mexico. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 564,559, making it the 32nd most populated city in the country. It is also the fourth largest city in the southwest region. Albuquerque is the principal city of the Albuquerque metropolitan area, which had a population of 916,528 according to the 2020 census. The high population has increased the demand for real estate in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with more people looking to buy houses.
The History of Albuquerque, NM
The city of Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by Fransisco Cuervo Valdes. It was initially known as La Villa de Albuquerque before changing its name to Albuquerque after a few years. It was established in the former kingdom of Sante Fe de Nuevo Mexico, which was within the Mexican territory. Albuquerque is named after Fransisco Fernandez de la Cueva, the 10th duke of Albuquerque.
The city started as a shepherding and farming community before becoming an established military outpost and trading center along the Camino Real. The town was built in the then-popular Spanish villa pattern — one central plaza space surrounded by homes, government buildings, and a church. Albuquerque’s former central plaza has been preserved to date and is open to the public as a historical site. It is also a center of commerce and a cultural area. This area is referred to as “Old Town” or “Old Town Albuquerque.”
During the Civil War, Confederate troops led by Gen. Henry Hopkins occupied the city of Albuquerque for a month in February 1862. The general later advanced into the northern part of New Mexico, where he captured several towns and cities. By 1900, Albuquerque had a massive population of 8,000 and a wide range of modern amenities. Some of the amenities included an electric railway that connected New Town, Old Town, and the then newly-established University of New Mexico.
The campus was one of the major attractions in Albuquerque, with many people visiting the city to study there. In early 1902, the famous Alvarado Hotel was constructed near the passenger depot. The hotel building remained the city’s principal landmark until it was demolished in 1970 to create room for a parking lot.
Albuquerque, NM Geographic Location
Albuquerque is found within the center of the Albuquerque Basin region. It is centered on the Rio Grande with dense coverage of the Bosque forest. West Mesa flanks Albuquerque to the west and the Sandia-Manzano Mountains to the east. Found in central New Mexico, Albuquerque has noticeable influences from the adjacent New Mexico Mountains and Colorado Plateau.
The city has one of the highest elevations ever recorded in the history of the United States major cities. The city’s southwest continental position significantly influences the high elevation. What makes Albuquerque unique is that it is divided into four quadrants. All of these quadrants are part of the U.S. mailing addresses. The quadrants are NW (northwest), NE (northeast), SW (southwest), and SE (southeast). The Central Avenue that runs across the city divides the north and south. The east and west parts of the city are divided by the Rail Runner tracks that people sometimes use for jogging.
Demographics & Industry in Albuquerque, NM
According to the 2010 United States Census, the city of Albuquerque had a population of 545,852. There were also 224,330 families and 239,166 households based in the city. There was a population density of 1162.6/km², which is equivalent to 3010.7/mi². With 239,166 housing units in Albuquerque, the average density was 1,5556.7 per square mile.
The racial makeup in Albuquerque as of July 2020 was 69.7 White, 3.3% African American or Black, 4.6% Native American, 2.6% Asian, and 4.6% making up the other races. Of the 236,116 households, 33.4% had children aged below 18 years living there. 44.5% of the households were married couples living together, and 12.5% had only female householders with no husbands. 38.3% of the households were non-families, with 30.2% of households being individuals.
In terms of industrial development, Albuquerque is a force to reckon with in New Mexico. In fact, it is for that reason that there is high demand for real estate for sale in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The city lies at the heart of the New Mexico Technology Corridor, a concentration of government institutions and high-tech private companies.
These companies provide employment opportunities for city dwellers, with most of the workforce based here. Some of the most established companies in Albuquerque include the Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Albuquerque Auto Makers. These companies attract highly educated and skilled workers to the city, increasing the demand for Albuquerque real estate for sale.
Arts & Entertainment in Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque is a top destination in the southeast region in terms of arts and entertainment. It is home to over 300 music, visual arts, ethnic, film, literacy, and crafty organizations. It is also home to numerous museums, theatres, art galleries, and a host of other points of interest, including Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque Biological Park, and Old Town Albuquerque. Some of the places you can enjoy live music performances include Tingley Coliseum, Isleta Amphitheatre, KiMo Theatre, and Sunshine Theatre.
Albuquerque is also a household name in popular culture. It is the setting for the television shows Breaking Bad and Plain Sight. These shows significantly boosted tourism in the area, with real estate in Albuquerque, New Mexico, ripping big. Better Call Saul, which is a spin-off to the 2019 Netflix movie El Camino was set in Albuquerque and its environs.
This has raised the city’s profile with people from different places visiting regularly. The expanding local market has increased the demand for real estate for sale in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is common to come across tourists from across the world exploring the popular sites in Albuquerque. The presence of many entertainment joints in the city has also made it a top destination in New Mexico and the southeastern region.
Things To Do in Albuquerque, NM
Despite the fact that Albuquerque is the second-largest city behind Santa Fe, it is well worth visiting and exploring what it has to offer. It has several magnificent museums and an elegant Old Town full of historical buildings. This means there is plenty you can do in Albuquerque. The city showcases a delightful mix of Native American and Spanish influences and has a rich heritage and history to explore for anyone visiting. While here, you will have plenty of attractions to explore and learn more about the region’s history.
One of the best places to visit in Albuquerque is the superb Turquoise Museum. Located within walking distance from downtown Albuquerque, this museum teaches all you need to know about gem mining. With the museum’s special focus on crafting turquoise and its mining history, it has plenty of exciting jewelry, artwork, and shiny specimens to explore. All of these artifacts are made out of glittering and colorful gemstones.
Old Town Albuquerque is the most popular tourist attraction in Albuquerque. This is the original site the Spanish settled in the early 1700s. With up to ten blocks making up this site, Old Town Albuquerque boasts several historical buildings you can explore. There are also several historical museums and landmarks to tour in Albuquerque.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is another top attraction in the city. Set around a magnificent central plaza and numerous art galleries and shops surrounding it, this facility attracts thousands of visitors annually. The surrounding art galleries and shops sell Native American artworks and Southwestern souvenirs that are popular among locals. If you fancy exploring the rich history of the city, this is the place to be.
The cultural center also promotes and preserves the Pueblo people’s culture, history, and traditions. Owned and managed by the state of New Mexico, this facility offers an exciting insight into the past. Its numerous exhibitions paint a picture of how the early inhabitants lived and operated. The state-of-the-art facility now occupies a site just within a short drive from Old Town Albuquerque. The presence of many tourist attractions in the city is one of the reasons why there is high demand for real estate for sale in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Schools in Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque has some of the best schools in New Mexico. The schools in Albuquerque are managed by the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) system. The APS is one of the largest school districts in the United States, providing education to over 100,000 learners in the city. The APS handles the affairs of both public charter entities. There are also several private schools operating in the city.
The University of New Mexico, which is the largest flagship university in the region, is based in Albuquerque. The university includes a school of medicine that was ranked among the top 50 in the United States. The presence of many schools makes it a good idea to invest in real estate for sale in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Conclusion
Albuquerque is an excellent city to live in New Mexico. It is advisable to invest in real estate in Albuquerque, New Mexico, because of the high market demand and thriving economy. The city also has a great history with several entertainment and shopping facilities. While here, you will have plenty of fun activities to do and places to explore.
