Belen, NM

Belen, New Mexico

Introduction to Belen, New Mexico

Belen, New Mexico is 30 miles S of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is in Valencia county. The city is part of the Albuquerque metro area. The population of Belen is 6,901.

Belen History

Belen was founded by Antonio Salazar and Captain Don Diego Torres in 1740. The city earned its name from the Spanish town of Bethlehem. By the 19th century, Belen's economic condition began improving with the growth of the town's agricultural prospects. When New Mexico became a part of the United States in 1846, Belen gradually became a trade center. Belen gained recognition as a town in 1940, and as a city in 1966.

Belen and nearby Attractions

• Harvey House Museum
• Belén State Waterfowl Area
• Manzano State Park
• Explora! Science Center
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
• Rattlesnake Museum

Things To Do In Belen

Belen State Waterfowl Area is one of the nearest tourist attractions. Some of the nearby parks are Manzano State Park, Rio Grande Nature Center and the AARP Park. Manzano State Park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including picnicking and camping facilities. The Harvey House Museum, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and the Albuquerque Museum may prove interesting to those hoping to learn more about the area’s history.

Belen Transportation

Albuquerque International Airport provides facilities for air transportation.

Belen Higher Education

The University of New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands University, the University of Phoenix-Albuquerque Campus and New Mexico State University provide facilities for higher education.

High Points

Belen strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in New Mexico):

Category	Trophy
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 11%
Racial Diversity (vs. Peers)	Top 19%

Comparative Profile of Belen, NM

Comparing Belen to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in New Mexico (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Senior Citizens
Female Share of the Population
Male Share of the Population
Age of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Working at Home
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Property Taxes
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Affordability of Rents
Housing Recently Built
People Living Alone
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Belen Almanac

Belen Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Belen Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Belen, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Belen Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Wal-Mart in Belen

Belen High Schools (2004)

BELEN HIGH
1619 WEST DELGADO
505-864-7469
Serves 1,441 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 20.1

BELEN ALTERNATIVE
WEST DELGADO AVE.
505-861-3720
A Non-traditional School
A Title I school.
Serves 32 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 10.7

Belen Colleges

(List of All New Mexico Colleges)

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