The Albuquerque metro area’s population totals 887,077 residents and is currently growing at a steady pace of 1 to 2 percent a year. The area’s five-year growth rate is projected at 7.2 percent compared with the national rate of 4.0 percent.

 

From 2000 to 2010, the Albuquerque metro area increased 21.6 percent adding 157,428 residents. The City of Rio Rancho, located northwest of Albuquerque in Sandoval County, is the fastest growing city in New Mexico with a population of 85,639 increasing by 65 percent from 2000-2010.

 

 

County (largest community)	2000 Census Population	2010 Census Population
Bernalillo (Albuquerque)	556,678	662,564
Sandoval (Rio Rancho)	89,908	131,561
Torrance (Moriarty)	16,911	16,383
Valencia (Belen, Los Lunas)	66,152	76,569
MSA Total Population	729,649	887,077
City of Albuquerque Population	448,607	545,852

 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

 

 

Despite the growth of the Albuquerque area, commute times are very reasonable, thus enhancing the work/life balance valued by many. Albuquerque was ranked the 13th best commute city in the nation. Approximately 65 percent of Albuquerque metro residents have a commute time of 29 minutes or less with the average commute time of 25 minutes.

 

On a per capita basis, the Albuquerque metro ranks among the top 25 largest metros in the nation for cities with the most college graduates. The Albuquerque area is home to over 60,000 enrolled college students and 29 percent of the metro population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. New Mexico has one of the highest concentration of Ph.D.s  in the nation. 

 

Albuquerque    Metro Area Educational Attainment  Population Age 25 and Older
High School Graduate	26%
Some College	24%
College Graduate (Assoc./Bach.)	23%
Graduate or Professional	11%

 Source: Claritas Inc. 2010 Estimates

 

Albuquerque’s 20-to-34 year old demographic was projected to grow at 10.3 percent vs the US average of 5.1 percent over the five year period from 2005 to 2010.

 

The average age of an Albuquerque metro resident is 36.9 years vs the national average of 37.5 years. The Albuquerque metro’s median age is 35.9 years.

 

Albuquerque Metro Area Age Profile
Under 18	25.1%
18 to 24	9.8%
25 to 44	27.8%
45 to 64	25.5%
65 and over	11.9%

 

According to the 2000 Census, 35.5 percent of New Mexico’s population is bilingual. Of the state’s bilingual population, the majority — 78 percent — speak Spanish/English. According to author Richard Florida’s Rise of the Creative Class, Albuquerque was ranked the number one most creative mid-sized city in the U.S., thanks in part to its diversity.

 

Albuquerque Metro Area Diversity Profile
White	44.5%
Hispanic or Latino	44.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native	5.3%
Black or African American	2.7%
Asian	1.7%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander	0.1%
Some Other Race	0.2%
Two or More Races	2.0%