Get to know North Valley! The area of North Valley has been inhabited for thousands of years. The Spanish colonized the area in the 1700s and used the area to make wine. North Valley gets its name from being in the northern part of a valley near the Rio Grande.
North Valley is a census-designated place best known for being a neighborhood of Albuquerque. But it’s a nice place to live with spacious homes and beautiful weather. These are just a few benefits of moving to North Valley. Here is what you can expect when you start living in North Valley.
Where Is North Valley?
Where is the North Valley in Albuquerque? North Valley is in Bernalillo County in the Albuquerque metro area. Though it’s just eight miles from Albuquerque to North Valley, it has some undeveloped areas reminiscent of rural towns, especially in the northern part of the community. North Valley is southeast of the Rio Grande and people living in Rio Rancho, south of residents living in Corrales, and northwest of people in Albuquerque itself.
Two stops on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line are in North Valley: Los Ranchos/Journal Center and Montano. The commuter rail line provides access to communities in Santa Fe and other communities in Bernalillo County. North Valley does not contain any other access to public transportation, but State Road 47 runs through the center of the community, providing access to downtown Albuquerque and making moving to North Valley easy.
North Valley Population and Demographics
The North Valley NM population in 2020 was 11,149, down by 1.6% since 2010. The community has a population density of 1,605.1 people, just over half of the population density in Albuquerque. Notable people from Albuquerque include Jeff Bezos, Demi Lovato, and Neil Patrick Harris. North Valley demographics include:
- 51.3% female, 48.7% male
- Median age: 41.6
- Racial and ethnic composition: 71.2% White alone, 62.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% two or more races, 3.0% Black or African American alone, 2.0% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 0.0% Asian alone
- Median household income: $61,064, roughly 5% higher than the metro area median
- Educational attainment: 89.3% have graduated high school, 27.2% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population: 7.8%
North Valley does not report its own crime statistics to the FBI, but Albuquerque does. Here are the FBI crime statistics for Albuquerque from 2020:
- Total crime rate per 100,000 residents: 6,356 (75.6% higher than New Mexico, 170.9% higher than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 1,344 (72.7% higher than New Mexico, 246.6% higher than the country)
- Property crime rate: 5,012 (76.4% higher than New Mexico, 155.9% higher than the country)
Though Albuquerque and North Valley have high crime rates, there are safe places to live in North Valley. 899 Albuquerque police officers work for the Albuquerque Police Department at a rate of one officer per 622 residents.
Cost of Living in North Valley
As part of the Albuquerque metro area, you can use statistics from Albuquerque to estimate the cost of living in North Valley. The cost of living index for the area is 93.1, meaning items in the metro area cost 6.9% less than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, it would cost $75,469 for a family of four to live in the area for a year. This makes North Valley an affordable place to live.
Real estate in Albuquerque North Valley can be expensive. According to Redfin, North Valley Albuquerque homes for sale have a median sales price of $691,000 or $229 per square foot. According to RentCafe, North Valley apartments have an average rent price of $1,489 a month.
Typical North Valley* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of milk: $3.72
- 1 pound of beef round: $7.22
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $1.55
- Average North Valley utilities per month: $180.59
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.82
- 1 pair of Nike running shoes: $92.25
Source: Numbeo
*Statistics for Albuquerque
North Valley Neighborhoods | Where to Live in North Valley
Most people consider North Valley to be a neighborhood of Albuquerque, not a separate community with its own neighborhoods. Available Albuquerque North Valley real estate is clustered near the center of the community, just south of Route 423. You can find three and four-bedroom single-family homes for sale in North Valley Albuquerque, many of which are new constructions with features like central HVAC units. Properties covering more than 2,300 square feet are available for purchase for less than $700,000.
North Valley also has a number of lots you can build homes on. Some lots are larger than one acre, giving you plenty of real estate in Albuquerque North Valley for a single-family home or a small apartment building. You can find 1.5-acre lots in the southern part of the community for $375,000.
North Valley Weather and Climate
North Valley has an arid climate with hot and dry summers and short yet very cold winters. The average temperature is 79 degrees in July, but the average high is 92 degrees. In January and December, the average is 37 degrees, with average lows of 28. The weather is mostly clear throughout the year; every month besides February has clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy skies for at least two-thirds of its days. September is the best month to visit North Valley; it’s one of the clearest months of the year, with 76% clear days, and average temperatures are in the 70s.
Despite the clear weather, you can experience rain and snow while living in North Valley. July and August have roughly eight days of rain every year. Snow is not common, but you can experience flurries in January and December. However, the rain is not substantial; August is the rainiest month, yet it experiences only 1.3 inches of rain on average. North Valley is not known to have extreme weather, though you can experience thunderstorms.
Things to Do in North Valley
North Valley contains or is near many great family-friendly attractions and points of interest. You can shop at two different Costco stores just outside the community as well as a Target and a Walmart. The nearest shopping malls are the Coronado Center and the Cottonwood Mall, each of which has more than 130 stores.
Cliff’s Amusement Park
Cliffs is the only amusement park and outdoor waterpark in Albuquerque. The park is best known for its must-do wooden roller coasters and kid-friendly rides, including bumper carts.
4800 Osuna Road Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87109, 505-881-9373
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Urban Air contains numerous top attractions, including an indoor skydiving zone. Children, teenagers, and adults alike can enjoy all activities, making it an excellent place for birthday parties and family outings.
3930 Pan American Freeway Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87107, 505-910-4389
Century Rio 24 Plex and XD
Century Rio 24 is a movie theater that screens all of the latest movies. You can enjoy 3D movies and use closed captioning and descriptive narration for viewers with visual impairments.
4901 Pan American Freeway Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87109, 505-343-9000
Additional Attractions in North Valley
- Flix Brewhouse Albuquerque
- Fallout Trampoline Arena
- Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque
The Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Albuquerque plans events in North Valley and the best Albuquerque neighborhoods throughout the year. You can use their upcoming events page to see when the next workshops, parties, and special occasions will be.
North Valley Restaurants Albuquerque
New Mexican cuisine fuses Mexican, Native American, and other cuisines together. You can enjoy authentic New Mexican restaurants in North Valley Albuquerque, but you can also sample the entire world of food.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Cracker Barrel is a Southern-style family-friendly restaurant that serves classic dishes like fried chicken and sirloin steak. You can order breakfast all day and then shop at the store with kids for clothes, furniture, and accessories.
5200 San Antonio Drive Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87109, 505-821-8777
El Pinto
El Pinto has won awards and appeared on lists from the Food Network and Wall Street Journal for its red chile ribs, nachos, and guacamole. You can buy jars of salsa and chile sauce, letting you replicate the dishes at home.
10500 4th Street Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87114, 505-898-1771
Hong Kong Buffet
Hong Kong Buffet is an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet with affordable prices at lunch and dinner. You can enjoy unique Mongolian barbeque, sushi, and enchiladas made fresh for you.
10100 Coors Road Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87114, 505-898-6868
Jobs in North Valley NM
More than 5,800 people have jobs in North Valley. The largest sectors in terms of employment in North Valley are health care, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing. 11% of people have jobs in “other services,” which means their jobs don’t fall into one sector or another. The median income for men is $33,369, while the median for women is $24,570.
The largest employers in North Valley include the New Mexico government, the federal government, and Sandia National Laboratories. You can use Indeed to find jobs in North Valley, and you can find jobs with the City of Albuquerque.
North Valley Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools serves North Valley NM students. North Valley contains or is next to several elementary schools. Alameda Elementary School is inside the community and has a language program for children of Spanish language heritage. Mission Avenue Elementary School, a STEM magnet school, is just outside the community.
You can also send your kids to Catholic and charter schools. North Valley Academy specializes in literacy, with students regularly screened and assessed for their literary abilities. St. Therese Catholic School has been open since 1947, providing a holistic education that includes Spanish and music classes.
The closest college to North Valley is the University of New Mexico (UNM), which is just south of the community. UNM is well-known for its campus architecture and museums. The university offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs, including 37 doctoral programs.
The Rudolfo Anaya North Valley Library is within North Valley. It offers free computers and wireless internet access and thousands of books and DVDs to rent.
North Valley Statistics and Information
- County: Bernalillo
- North Valley area: 7.0 square miles
- North Valley zip codes: 87107, 87113, 87114, 87184
- North Valley area code: 505
- North Valley elevation: 4,993 feet
- North Valley time zone: Mountain Time Zone (MST)
- Closest airport to North Valley: Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), 12 miles from North Valley
North Valley Map
You can find great attractions, quaint homes, and fun outdoor activities with this map of North Valley!
Living in North Valley gives you access to prosperous job opportunities, delicious restaurants, and affordable things to do.
If you’re ready to start living in North Valley, you’re ready to start moving to North Valley. Pro-Move Logistics’s team of North Valley movers has more than 15 years of experience. Get a free moving quote by calling 505-471-3434.
