Census-designated place · New Mexico
South Valley, New Mexico
South Valley, census-designated place, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. South Valley had 37,120 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±1,852). GEOID 3574520.
Residents, 2020-2024
37,120
±1,852 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 38,338
Median household income
$58,224
±$5,334 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$224,300
±$9,815 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$954
±$67 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
Where is South Valley and what county is it in?
South Valley is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. It covers 29.0 square miles of land, 1,322 residents per square mile in 2020.
South Valley is in the Albuquerque, NM metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in South Valley, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts South Valley's population at 37,120 (±1,852). The 2020 Census counted 38,338 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; South Valley is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | South Valley | Bernalillo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 37,120 ±1,852 | 673,930 | −2,960 |
| Households | 13,186 ±617 | 285,495 | −1,070 |
| Average household size | 2.76 ±0.12 | 2.32 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,132 ±623 | 302,746 | −1,918 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in South Valley?
The median resident of South Valley is 41.7 years old; 20.6% are under 18 and 19.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 82.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 13.8%. 16.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | South Valley | Bernalillo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 ±2.5 | 39.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.6% ±2.0 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.2% ±2.1 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Male | 50.1% ±1.9 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 82.3% ±2.2 pts | 49.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 13.8% ±1.9 pts | 37.1% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 2.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.2% ±2.2 pts | 10.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 48.1% ±3.5 pts | 26.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4% ±1.0 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 20.9% ±2.2 pts | 15.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.8% ±2.0 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.4% ±2.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.1% ±2.2 pts | 38.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.5% ±1.4 pts | 17.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.7% ±2.1 pts | 86.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3% ±1.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in South Valley earn?
Half of South Valley's 13,186 households earn less than $58,224 a year (±$5,334), against $69,473 in Bernalillo County and $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 the median was $48,876 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,348 after inflation. 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | South Valley | Bernalillo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,224 ±$5,334 | $69,473 | +$9,348 |
| Mean household income | $73,838 ±$4,269 | $93,331 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,017 ±$1,569 | $40,690 | +$3,430 |
| People below the poverty line | 18.5% ±2.4 pts | 15.2% | −4.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.4% ±6.2 pts | 19.3% | −10.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 26.4% ±3.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.6% ±2.2 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.1% ±3.4 pts | 90.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in South Valley?
Owners occupy 74.4% of South Valley's occupied homes and renters 25.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $224,300 by its owner (±$9,815). The median renter pays $954 a month including utilities, and 41.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | South Valley | Bernalillo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $224,300 ±$9,815 | $292,900 | +$42,896 |
| Median gross rent | $954 ±$67 | $1,144 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.2% ±9.2 pts | 43.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,363 ±$61 | $1,615 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.4% ±3.5 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 25.6% ±3.5 pts | 35.5% | – |
| Housing units | 14,132 ±623 | 302,746 | −1,918 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5% ±3.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.8% ±3.1 pts | 63.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.1% ±2.7 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.4% ±1.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.4% ±2.0 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.1% ±1.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in South Valley work and get to work?
76.0% of South Valley's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | South Valley | Bernalillo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.4% ±2.5 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% ±1.3 pts | 5.3% | −3.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.0% ±3.8 pts | 71.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.6% ±3.4 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3% ±2.0 pts | 14.9% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.6 min ±1.6 | 22.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in South Valley?
10 census tracts lie mostly in South Valley, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $32,188 (Tract 45.01) to $87,645 (Tract 46.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 43Bernalillo County | 5,002 | $36,049 |
| Tract 46.04Bernalillo County | 5,186 | $72,151 |
| Tract 46.02Bernalillo County | 4,002 | $82,612 |
| Tract 44.02Bernalillo County | 3,876 | $62,569 |
| Tract 45.02Bernalillo County | 3,662 | $77,599 |
| Tract 40.01Bernalillo County | 5,433 | $77,823 |
| Tract 44.01Bernalillo County | 3,677 | $62,592 |
| Tract 46.03Bernalillo County | 3,314 | $87,645 |
| Tract 45.01Bernalillo County | 2,873 | $32,188 |
| Tract 23.03Bernalillo County | 2,196 | $60,767 |
| Tract 23.02Bernalillo County | 2,942 | $40,625 |
| Tract 23.01Bernalillo County | 1,652 | $45,100 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in South Valley) · Census block assignment files
How does South Valley compare with other places in New Mexico?
South Valley ranks 64th of 143 places in New Mexico with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 9th | 153 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd | 155 |
| Median household income | 64th | 143 |
| Per capita income | 82nd | 154 |
| Median home value | 59th | 138 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd | 114 |
| Poverty rate | 72nd | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 95th | 128 |
| Median age | 71st | 154 |
| Owner-occupied share | 87th | 150 |
| Work from home | 59th | 78 |
| Travel time to work | 64th | 150 |
South Valley's figures with every place in New Mexico (CSV)
Every place in New Mexico, sortable · Compare South Valley with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for South Valley?
7 of the 57 figures for South Valley on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for South Valley are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.