Popular Albuquerque Neighborhoods for Black Families, Singles & Young Professionals – New Mexico
Everybody desires to live in a place where they feel they are part of a larger community.
The Black population in Albuquerque is small. However, there are thriving Black communities in and around the city. Whether you’re looking for a sprawling mansion or a small apartment, there is something for everyone.
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3 Best Albuquerque Suburbs for Black Families
Suburbs in Albuquerque are diverse. Influences range from scenic Spanish architecture to rich African history that started with Estevanico – a Moor from North Africa who came here searching for gold.
No suburb is predominantly Black here, but the Black community has some strong roots in the area. Today, the majority of all Black people in Albuquerque live in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Below are some of the best neighborhoods for Black families.
Ventana Ranch
Ventana Ranch, located northwest of Albuquerque, has grown in popularity among young families due to its affordable homes and expanding access to facilities.
This master-planned community has gorgeous midsize to large houses to fit all families. The region is home to many amenities, such as a soccer field, parks, picnic tables, basketball courts, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and multi-purpose sports fields.
If you’re a fan of the outdoors, you can enjoy relaxing in the sunshine at Ventana Ranch. Many of the parks have sports lighting to help you play after dark.
Ventana Ranch Elementary School has above-average test scores, equity, and academic progress. Tony Hillerman Middle School boasts similar ratings, and Volcano Vista High prepares students well for college with their high test scores.
North Valley
The North Valley area is an excellent choice for Black families who love the outdoors. Some of their most popular outdoor activities include mountain biking, hiking, skating, bird watching, and horseback riding.
You’ll find the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in the North Valley. They host traditional dances and celebrations to represent their ancestral culture.
Even if you’re not a fan of the outdoors, you can enjoy shopping, festivals, historical sites, restaurants, wineries, and more to have fun with your whole family.
The houses range in price, making it affordable for most families. There are many schools your student can be zoned for, but they all have high ratings.
Bear Canyon
Bear Canyon is ideal for families looking for a small, peaceful neighborhood in Albuquerque. Single-family houses are the most prevalent type of home.
Bear Canyon is also close to commercial centers, schools, and recreational centers like the Arroyo del Oso Golf Facility nearby. The city maintains the 27-hole course, which provides affordable golfing opportunities for locals.
You can enjoy hiking and biking trails, museums, parks, aquariums, and more. You’re even close to an amusement park for a day out.
The schools near Bear Canyon are some of the best in Albuquerque. Georgia O’Keeffe, S.Y. Jackson, and John Baker Elementary Schools have well above average ratings. Your student will also thrive at Eisenhower Middle School and Eldorado High.
2 Best Albuquerque Neighborhoods for Young Black Professionals & Singles
Young professionals and singles require a neighborhood with great social centers, fantastic food outlets, and convenient modes of transport. Some neighborhoods in Albuquerque offer this and more. Here are the top Albuquerque suburbs for young black professionals and singles.
Nob Hill
The neighborhood is steeped in Route 66 history, having been created around Central Avenue in the 1950s to connect the Los Angeles to Chicago length of the highway. While most Route 66 has vanished in recent decades, Nob Hill has remained a vibrant cultural center.
In many respects, Nob Hill is the heart of Albuquerque and serves as its cultural core. It is the premier location of dining, shopping, and entertainment in Albuquerque.
Young professionals and singles can enjoy upscale boutiques, high-end shopping, art galleries, unique restaurants, and thriving clubs and bars. They also host many festivals and are home to historic sites and cultural celebrations.
Nob Hill is close to the University of New Mexico, making it ideal for young singles to interact or continue their education. The houses in Nob Hill are affordable too and come with flair.
Downtown
Unlike in other big cities, Downtown Albuquerque is quite affordable, making it a perfect spot for young people. Adding to the area’s appeal is its diversity, which has nurtured a vibrant multiculturalism that encompasses a wide range of communities.
It’s not simply the cost of living that makes this location so attractive: Downtown is home to plenty of theaters, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, and the Albuquerque Convention Center. Moreover, you’ll be able to visit art galleries, libraries, and shopping centers too.
Countless festivals, concerts, and conventions go on, so you always have something new to see. If you’re into history, you’ll like that Downtown Albuquerque is part of Route 66. Thanks to its bus and train station, Albuquerque is also a great jumping off point to visit the rest of New Mexico.
However, the Downtown area provides ample opportunities for peace, quiet, rest, and relaxation. There are excellent eateries Downtown like the Grove Cafe. It’s ideal for individuals who wish to be close to the city’s center without having to spend a fortune on housing.
Is Albuquerque Safe?
Safety is an important part of searching for a new place to live. Unfortunately, New Mexico has some of the highest violent crime rates in the country.
Albuquerque has some grim statistics: 20% of the population live below the poverty line, the city has a 40% higher gun-death rate than the national norm, and the crime rate is 53% higher than the national average.
In comparison to the national average, Albuquerque is worse in almost every security metric, according to a 2020 study.
By every standard, these represent a very high crime rate per capita. However, it is not far off from crime rates in other major metropolitan areas.
A peace index of 2.5 reflects this – many states are far worse. The violent crimes mentioned above occur in a few well-known areas in the southern parts.
You can always take safety measures to protect yourself. Keep your doors locked, travel in a group, and have some form of self-defense at your disposal. You can live comfortably in Albuquerque, but you might want to stay on guard.
What Is Albuquerque’s Demographic?
Albuquerque is a city in New Mexico’s Bernalillo County. It is the largest city in New Mexico and the 32nd largest city in the United States, with a population of 560,513 in 2019.
Albuquerque is expanding at a pace of 0.16 percent annually. Its population had increased by 3.01 percent since the 2010 census when the city had 545,852 persons. Albuquerque has a population density of 3,003 persons per square mile, spanning 189 miles.
New Mexico ranks 45th in terms of population density in the United States. A third of all the people in New Mexico live in Banillo county. Albuquerque greatly influences this skewed demographic.
According to the US census bureau, 94% of all people in New Mexico are US citizens.
| Race | Percent |
| White alone | 73.9% |
| Black or African American alone | 3.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 4.7% |
| Asian alone | 2.9% |
| Pacific highlander alone | 0.1% |
| Two or More races | 4.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 49.2% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 38.9% |
As you can see, there are not many black people in Albuquerque. However, that number isn’t zero. While you probably won’t find a region with primarily black folk, you can find or develop a community.
Top Albuquerque Neighborhoods for Black People, Conclusion
Albuquerque has a lot to offer. Many notable neighborhoods can serve as your home, depending on your requirements.
Before deciding which neighborhood suits you best, please visit Albuquerque to learn about the local house ownership rules. They have plenty of hotels around each of these neighborhoods.
With a well-structured investigation of the mentioned neighborhoods, you will find a perfect place to call home.
