Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Bernalillo County (/ˌbɜːrnəˈliːjoʊ/; Spanish: Condado de Bernalillo) is the most populous county in the U.S. state of New Mexico.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 676,444.[2] The county seat, Albuquerque,[3] is the most populous city in New Mexico.

Not to be confused with Bernalillo, New Mexico.

Bernalillo County
County
Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque
Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque
Flag of Bernalillo County
Flag
Official seal of Bernalillo County
Seal
Map of New Mexico highlighting Bernalillo County
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
Map of the United States highlighting New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35.05°N 106.67°W / 35.05; -106.67
Country United States
State New Mexico
Founded1852
SeatAlbuquerque
Largest cityAlbuquerque
Area
 • Total1,167 sq mi (3,020 km2)
 • Land1,161 sq mi (3,010 km2)
 • Water6.4 sq mi (17 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total676,444
 • Density580/sq mi (220/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd, 3rd
Websitewww.bernco.gov

Bernalillo County is the central county of the Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Bernalillo County was one of seven partidos established during Mexican rule; in 1852, within two years of the creation of the New Mexico Territory, Bernalillo became one of that territory's nine original counties.[1] Bernalillo County was named for the town of Bernalillo, which is currently no longer part of the county.[4] The towns of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and Bernalillo were previously the county seats, but the capital was finally established in Albuquerque in 1883.[5] In 1876, it absorbed Santa Ana County.

In 1906, years after the Land Revision Act of 1891 provided for the setting aside of forest reserves, the parts of Bernalillo County currently known as Cibola National Forest were established as reserves.[6]

USS LST-306, a World War II tank landing ship that participated in the Allied invasion of Italy, was renamed as USS Bernalillo County in 1955. Sandia Mountain Wilderness was created in 1978 and the Petroglyph National Monument was established in June 1990.

Geography

According to the U.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 the East Mountain area (just east of the Sandia Mountains) to the Volcano Cliffs on the west mesa."[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18507,751—
18608,76913.1%
18707,591−13.4%
188017,225126.9%
189020,91321.4%
190028,63036.9%
191023,606−17.5%
192029,85526.5%
193045,43052.2%
194069,39152.7%
1950145,673109.9%
1960262,19980.0%
1970315,77420.4%
1980419,70032.9%
1990480,57714.5%
2000556,67815.8%
2010662,56419.0%
2020676,4442.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2019[2]
Median Household Income by Census Tract Block Group across Albuquerque metro.

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 556,678 people, 220,936 households, and 141,178 families living in the county, making Bernalillo the most populous county 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 or African American, 4.16% Native American, 1.93% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 16.07% from other races, and 4.22% from two or more races. 41.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $20,790. About 10.20% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 662,564 people, 266,000 households, and 164,104 families living in the county.[14] 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).[15] 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.[14] The largest ancestry groups were:[16]

  • 27.6% Mexican
  • 18.5% Spanish
  • 11.6% German
  • 8.5% Irish
  • 7.6% English
  • 3.4% Italian
  • 2.6% American
  • 2.3% French
  • 1.9% Scottish
  • 1.7% Scotch-Irish
  • 1.7% Polish
  • 1.3% Norwegian
  • 1.2% Swedish
  • 1.1% Dutch

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.[14]

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 the poverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Politics

County Commission
District Name Party Took office
1Barbara Baca - ChairDemocratic2023
2Steven Michael QuezadaDemocratic2016
3Adriann Barboa - Vice ChairDemocratic2021
4Walt BensonRepublican2021
5Eric C. OlivasDemocratic2023

County offices
Office Name Party Took office
SheriffJohn AllenDemocratic2023
AssessorTanya R. GiddingsDemocratic2012
ClerkLinda StoverDemocratic2016
TreasurerNancy M. BearceDemocratic2016
Probate JudgeCristy J. Carbón-GaulDemocratic2019

New Mexico Senate
District Name Party Took office
9Brenda McKennaDemocratic2021
10Katy DuhiggDemocratic2021
11Linda M. LopezDemocratic1997
12Jerry Ortiz y PinoDemocratic2005
13Bill B. O'NeillDemocratic2013
14Michael PadillaDemocratic2013
15Daniel Ivey-SotoDemocratic2013
16Antoinette Sedillo LopezDemocratic2019
17Mimi StewartDemocratic2009
18Bill TallmanDemocratic2017
19Gregg SchmedesRepublican2021
20Martin HickeyDemocratic2021
21Mark MooresRepublican2013
22Benny ShendoDemocratic2013
23Harold Pope Jr.Democratic2021
26Moe MaestasDemocratic2022
29Gregory A. BacaRepublican2021
39Liz StefanicsDemocratic2017

Congressional

Melanie Stansbury (D) is the representative for the 1st Congressional District.

Gabe Vasquez (D) is the representative for the 2nd Congressional District.

Presidential

In presidential elections prior to 1992, Bernalillo County primarily voted for Republican Party candidates, only supporting three Democratic candidates in six elections total. (Franklin D. Roosevelt four times, Harry S. Truman and Lyndon 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.

United States presidential election results for Bernalillo County, New Mexico[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 116,135 36.57% 193,757 61.01% 7,698 2.42%
2016 94,698 34.48% 143,417 52.22% 36,547 13.31%
2012 106,408 39.27% 150,739 55.63% 13,822 5.10%
2008 110,521 38.67% 171,556 60.03% 3,701 1.30%
2004 121,454 47.29% 132,252 51.50% 3,105 1.21%
2000 95,249 46.62% 99,461 48.68% 9,609 4.70%
1996 78,832 43.19% 88,140 48.28% 15,571 8.53%
1992 77,304 38.52% 90,863 45.27% 32,531 16.21%
1988 92,830 53.62% 78,346 45.25% 1,959 1.13%
1984 104,694 60.08% 67,789 38.90% 1,779 1.02%
1980 83,956 53.45% 54,841 34.92% 18,266 11.63%
1976 76,614 53.98% 63,949 45.06% 1,363 0.96%
1972 79,993 60.80% 48,753 37.06% 2,816 2.14%
1968 56,234 54.96% 40,835 39.91% 5,252 5.13%
1964 42,583 43.31% 55,036 55.98% 698 0.71%
1960 44,805 52.06% 40,908 47.53% 348 0.40%
1956 41,893 64.31% 22,954 35.24% 296 0.45%
1952 33,964 59.38% 23,164 40.50% 72 0.13%
1948 16,668 47.13% 18,305 51.76% 391 1.11%
1944 11,662 48.79% 12,229 51.16% 13 0.05%
1940 11,999 45.35% 14,428 54.53% 34 0.13%
1936 7,107 31.47% 15,305 67.78% 170 0.75%
1932 7,309 40.06% 10,722 58.77% 212 1.16%
1928 8,725 56.99% 6,572 42.92% 14 0.09%
1924 7,078 49.55% 6,023 42.17% 1,183 8.28%
1920 4,969 50.53% 4,808 48.90% 56 0.57%
1916 2,711 52.26% 2,394 46.14% 83 1.60%
1912 1,002 26.61% 1,199 31.85% 1,564 41.54%

Communities

A local toponymic oddity is that the town of Bernalillo, north of Albuquerque, is not actually in Bernalillo County. When established in 1852, the county was named for the town of Bernalillo, which was incorporated into Sandoval County in 1903.[4][19]

Bracketed number refers to location on map, right

Cities

Town

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

There are three school districts in the county:[20]

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools:

See also

References
  1. Bernalillo County Archived October 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine from the website of the New Mexico Office of the State Historian
  2. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bernalillo County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "History of Bernalillo County". www.bernco.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  5. "Bernalillo County | Mid-Region Council of Governments, NM". www.mrcog-nm.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  6. Southwestern Region Initial Forest Reserves and National Forests, from a U.S. Forest Service website
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  8. Bernalillo County Extension Office from a New Mexico State University website
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  16. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  17. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  19. "Bernalillo is now the county seat". Santa Fe New Mexican. May 8, 1905. p. 8. Retrieved April 28, 2017 – via Library of Congress.
  20. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bernalillo County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022. - Text list
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