South Valley, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South Valley, New Mexico
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Looking Southwest down the Los Padillas Drain. The South Valley is home to many such irrigation ditches.
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Location of South Valley, New Mexico
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 South Valley, New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Bernalillo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 30.30 sq mi (78.47 km2) |
| • Land | 29.02 sq mi (75.16 km2) |
| • Water | 1.28 sq mi (3.31 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,928 ft (1,502 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 38,338 |
| • Density | 1,321.13/sq mi (510.09/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Area code(s) | 505 |
| FIPS code | 35-74520 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2408776 |
South Valley is a special kind of community in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that the government counts for population, but it's not an official city or town.
In 2020, about 38,338 people lived in South Valley. It's part of the larger Albuquerque area. Even though it's called South Valley, the U.S. Postal Service uses "Albuquerque" for all its addresses.
Contents
South Valley's Location and Environment
South Valley is right in the middle of Bernalillo County. The city of Albuquerque borders it on the north, east, and part of its west side. The famous Rio Grande river flows through the middle of South Valley from north to south.
The total area of South Valley is about 78 square kilometers (30 square miles). Most of this area is land, but about 3.3 square kilometers (1.28 square miles) is water.
Some old water wells in the area were closed down a long time ago. These wells are now part of a special cleanup program to make sure the groundwater stays safe.
Who Lives in South Valley?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 38,338 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were about 40,976 people living in South Valley. There were also about 13,802 homes.
Most people in South Valley identify as Hispanic or Latino. In 2000, about 80.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average family size was about 3.4 people. Many homes had children under 18 living there. The average age of people in South Valley was about 35.5 years old.
Becoming a City: Why South Valley Said No
South Valley is not an official city; it's an unincorporated community. This means Bernalillo County provides services like police and fire departments.
In 2010, people in South Valley had a special election. They voted on whether to become an official city called Valle de Atrisco. But the idea was strongly rejected by voters. About 93% of people voted against it.
- Why people said no: They worried about the extra costs and taxes. If South Valley became a city, it would have to pay for its own schools, roads, police, and fire services.
- Why some people wanted it: They hoped it would protect the community from being taken over by the city of Albuquerque. They also thought it might lead to better services.
Learning in South Valley
Students in South Valley go to schools run by Albuquerque Public Schools.
One of the main high schools in the area is Rio Grande High School. It is located right in South Valley.
See also
In Spanish: South Valley (Nuevo México) para niños
