Bernalillo
County | County Seat: Albuquerque
Population: 603,562
Veteran Population: 51,860 | Economic Information | Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Median Income: $41,062
Top Employers: Albuquerque Public Schools, UNM, University Hospital, KAFB | Public School Information | Total Students: 93,341
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15.1
High School Graduates Age 25+: 84.4%
Bachelors Degree or higher Age 25+: 30.5% |
The history of Bernalillo County dates back to 1852 when the Spanish separated the New Mexico Territory into 9 counties. Bernalillo was one of the original 9 counties. The modern history of Bernalillo County’s largest city, Albuquerque, dates back to 1706 when the Spanish founded Albuquerque as a farming community.
Bernalillo County includes the Petroglyph National Monument with its many rock carvings from some of the earliest residents of New Mexico. The monument also offers beautiful views of the landscape and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.
The Sandia Mountains rise 10,678 feet above Albuquerque at its highest point. The mountains are named Sandia (watermelon in Spanish) because of the red glow of the mountains at sunset. The Sandia Mountains are perfect for outdoor recreation. In the winter, the Sandia Peak Ski Area offers great skiing while in the summer, the La Luz and Crest Trails offer picturesque views of the mountain.
Albuquerque is the most populous city in New Mexico with more than 700,000 residents living in the metropolitan area. Albuquerque offers unique attractions such as the International Balloon Fiesta, the world’s largest gathering of hot air balloons. The city also has rich cultural diversity. The Hispanic and Indian Pueblo Cultural Centers provide insight into the art, history, and culture of their respective people. Historic Old Town displays the rich beginnings of Albuquerque as a Spanish community. The original buildings in Old Town are some of the oldest in the Nation. Albuquerque is also home to Sandia National Laboratories which develops military and defense technologies.
Take a tour of the First District
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