County · New Mexico
Valencia County, New Mexico
Valencia County, New Mexico. Valencia County had 82,013 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.4% since 2020, faster than New Mexico (+0.4%). It holds 21 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 16 census-designated) and 25 census tracts. GEOID 35061.
Valencia County is one of the 4 counties of the Albuquerque, NM metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
82,013
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 76,205 · ACS 2020-2024: 78,458
Median household income
$58,933
±$4,230 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$223,000
±$8,792 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$1,015
±$70 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
How many people live in Valencia County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 76,205 residents in Valencia County. The Census Bureau estimates 82,013 for July 1, 2025, up 7.4% since 2020, faster than New Mexico (+0.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 78,458 over 1,067 square miles of land.
| Measure | Valencia County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 78,458 | 2,120,246 | +2,431 |
| Households | 27,583±458 | 837,414 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.78±0.05 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 30,756±98 | 956,964 | −452 |
Valencia County's population since 2000
From 66,152 in 2000 to 82,013 in 2025: up 24.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Valencia County?
Valencia County holds 21 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 16 census-designated places. The largest is Los Lunas with 20,572 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Los Lunas | 17,242 | $62,330 |
|---|---|---|
| Belen | 7,360 | $42,627 |
| Los Chaves | 4,997 | $79,662 |
| Rio Communities | 4,926 | $46,035 |
| Meadow Lake | 4,573 | $43,649 |
| El Cerro Mission | 4,566 | $49,470 |
| Bosque Farms | 4,020 | $82,188 |
| Peralta | 3,342 | $73,131 |
| El Cerro | 2,946 | $106,136 |
| Valencia (Valencia County) | 2,052 | $55,170 |
| JaralesGEOID 3535110 | 2,042 | $55,676 |
| TomeGEOID 3578650 | 1,718 | $85,448 |
| Las Maravillas | 1,604 | $63,375 |
| Monterey ParkGEOID 3549515 | 1,272 | $28,162 |
| SausalGEOID 3571145 | 858 | $65,071 |
| AdelinoGEOID 3500940 | 735 | $110,391 |
| MadroneGEOID 3546170 | 621 | $18,704 |
| Highland MeadowsGEOID 3532148 | 568 | $58,672 |
| PueblitosGEOID 3559820 | 540 | $43,466 |
| Casa ColoradaGEOID 3512786 | 279 | $47,310 |
| ChicalGEOID 3514670 | 124 | $85,714 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Valencia County?
The median resident of Valencia County is 39.4 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 18.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 60.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 30.5%. 8.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Valencia County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4±0.4 | 39.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.2 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.7%±0.1 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 60.8% | 48.4% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 30.5%±0.3 pts | 36.0% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.7%±1.1 pts | 9.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 28.0%±2.3 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.3%±0.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 20.2%±1.8 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3%±1.1 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.1%±1.3 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.9%±1.7 pts | 31.0% | +2.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.5%±1.1 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.5 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 Valencia County earn?
Half of Valencia County's 27,583 households earn less than $58,933 a year (±$4,230), against $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 it was $60,236 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Valencia County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,933±$4,230 | $64,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,649±$3,595 | $88,155 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,718±$1,722 | $36,218 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.1%±2.0 pts | 17.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.0%±4.3 pts | 24.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.0%±2.2 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.8%±2.0 pts | 86.5% | – |
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 Valencia County?
Owners occupy 83.2% of Valencia County's occupied homes and renters 16.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $223,000 by its owner (±$8,792). The median renter pays $1,015 a month including utilities, and 43.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Valencia County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $223,000±$8,792 | $248,100 | +$47,503 |
| Median gross rent | $1,015±$70 | $1,067 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.1%±7.4 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,390±$45 | $1,564 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.2%±2.1 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 30,756±98 | 956,964 | −452 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.7%±2.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.0%±2.2 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 30.2%±2.1 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5%±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.5%±1.0 pts | 4.4% | – |
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 many new homes is Valencia County building?
Builders took permits for 251 new housing units across Valencia County in 2025 (251 single-family), 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Valencia County get to work?
74.6% of Valencia County's workers drive alone and 11.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Valencia County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.4%±1.6 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±1.5 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.6%±2.8 pts | 73.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.4%±1.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.1%±2.0 pts | 12.2% | +6.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.2 min±1.3 | 23.5 min | +1.8 min |
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 are Valencia County's census tracts?
Valencia County is divided into 25 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,726 (Tract 9704.01) to $107,583 (Tract 9703.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Valencia County compare with New Mexico's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 6th of 33 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 1st of 33 |
| Residents per square mile | 4th of 33 |
| Median household income | 8th of 32 |
| Median home value | 8th of 32 |
| Median gross rent | 10th of 31 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 33 |
| Median age | 20th of 33 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Valencia County 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.