Population 38,649 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Valley
Household size in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.89 | 2.62 | 2.71 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.08 | 2.67 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.88 | 2.63 | 2.71 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.85 | 2.55 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.08 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
The typical household in South Valley holds 2.85 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.89, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.0 | 37.2 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.7 | 38.3 | 38.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.4 | 39.6 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.8 | 41.1 | 40.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.8 | +3.9 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
The median resident of South Valley is 41.8 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 36.0, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 13.8% | 14.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 14.5% | 14.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 12.7% | 13.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.1% | 13.1% | 14.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −0.7 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in South Valley (14.1%), above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in South Valley
Renters in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.4% | 31.7% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.5% | 33.4% | 31.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.1% | 33.0% | 32.3% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.6% | 30.9% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.6% of households in South Valley rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. More than four in ten owners (45.2%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northeast and least common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.7 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 8.8% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 9.1% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 10.1% | 15.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 7.0% | 11.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −1.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in South Valley: 6.6% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.8 points, in line with the national trend. South Valley has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five New Mexico cities.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1982 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1983 | 1981 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1984 | 1982 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1986 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in South Valley is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1970, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. South Valley has older homes than at least four in five New Mexico cities.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $694 | $884 | $777 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $704 | $970 | $866 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $790 | $1,050 | $943 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $943 | $1,356 | $1,188 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$249 | +$472 | +$411 | +$606 |
Rent in South Valley runs $943 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $249 a month since 2006–10, up 36%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 30.1% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in South Valley
Bachelor's degrees in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.1% | 29.1% | 25.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 29.5% | 25.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 31.6% | 26.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 35.0% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +5.9 pts | +5.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in South Valley: 15.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.0 points, a smaller shift than nationally. South Valley has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five New Mexico cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.8% | 86.0% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 71.7% | 87.3% | 83.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.2% | 88.4% | 85.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.4% | 90.2% | 87.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.6 pts | +4.2 pts | +5.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in South Valley never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 8.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. South Valley has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five New Mexico cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in South Valley
| Period | South Valley | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 9.3% | 9.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 6.0% | 6.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 5.4% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in South Valley than nationally: unemployment was 4.2%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.3 points, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
South Valley compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Valley | 2.85 | 41.8 | 14.1% | 24.6% | 6.6% | 1970 | $943 | 15.1% | 78.4% | 4.2% |
| Pajarito | 3.22 | 37.9 | 25.6% | 10.2% | 12.2% | 1980 | $632 | 7.7% | 81.0% | 3.5% |
| Los Padillas | 3.20 | 37.8 | 26.1% | 10.1% | 11.8% | 1981 | $658 | 7.8% | 79.1% | 3.6% |
| Albuquerque area | 2.55 | 41.1 | 13.1% | 30.9% | 7.0% | 1986 | $1,356 | 35.0% | 90.2% | 5.4% |
| Kirtland Afb | 2.36 | 21.1 | 10.5% | 100.0% | 42.4% | 1997 | $1,766 | 71.4% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Isleta Village Proper | 2.87 | 39.7 | 14.6% | 9.7% | 12.2% | 1990 | $425 | 15.7% | 87.7% | 15.1% |
| Isleta | 2.89 | 39.8 | 14.1% | 9.9% | 11.8% | 1991 | $480 | 15.6% | 88.1% | 13.8% |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 2.55 | 44.9 | 7.4% | 17.5% | 7.3% | 1969 | $1,208 | 44.5% | 96.3% | 3.4% |
| North Valley | 2.35 | 45.9 | 15.8% | 28.6% | 5.1% | 1979 | $1,014 | 33.8% | 89.0% | 7.7% |
| Paradise Hills | 2.61 | 39.0 | 16.9% | 26.3% | 2.1% | 1999 | $1,652 | 42.8% | 95.5% | 4.4% |
| Five Points | 2.12 | 51.4 | 12.5% | 0.0% | 12.7% | 1994 | $1,351 | 19.8% | 74.1% | 20.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Bartlett, IL · Brownsburg, IN · Moncks Corner, SC · Phoenixville, PA · Perry Hall, MD · Pearl City, HI · Peachtree City, GA · Park Ridge, IL · Oswego, IL · Orangeburg, SC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up South Valley. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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