Why Metro NM: Creative Class, PhDs

shawna — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:44:46 -0700

New Mexico's Creative Class

A large section of our workforce consists of people who create for a living - scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, writers, poets, engineers, musicians and inventors. Dubbed the 'Creative Class' by author Richard Florida in his book The Rise of the Creative Class, these idea-generators foster a stimulating quality of life that attracts growing businesses and their employees.

Long known as a vortex of creative energy, New Mexico has inspired such artists as Georgia O'Keeffe, R.C. Gorman and Allan Houser, and writers such as Lew Wallace, Willa Cather and Tony Hillerman.

We also boast more PhDs per capita than any state in the U.S., many drawn here by our premiere research facilities.

Why Metro NM: Demographics

shawna — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 12:31:26 -0700

Metro New Mexico at a Glance

Population

New Mexico is th 13th fastest growing state in the U.S., with a steady increase in population from 1.5 million in 1990 to a population of 1.9 million in July 2007.
Metro New Mexico counties account for nearly half the state's population.
About 60% of the population is between 18 and 65.
Hispanics comprise 41.4% of the total state population, the highest proportion of any state.

Labor Force

41.8% of Metro New Mexico's labor force is made up of 15-44 year-olds, making for a dynamic, high-tech economy.
New Mexico ranks 12th in the country in the percentage of scientists and engineers in the labor force.
New Mexico has the sixth highest concentration of technology workers in the nation (2006).

Education

Metro New Mexico ranks consistently high in the percentage of college graduates per capita.
82.9% of persons 25 years old and over have a high school degree or higher (2004).
25.1% have a bachelor's degree or higher (2004).

Bilingual

New Mexico is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual state.
23% of the population speaks Spanish.
In 2000, a language other than English was spoken in 36.5% of households, compared to 17.9% nationwide.

County Population Projections
As of July 1	2005	2010	2015	2020
STATE	1,956,725	2,090,678	2,232,424	2,380,802
BERNALILLO (Albuquerque)	594,317	621,940	650,784	679,538
TORRANCE (Estancia Valley)	16,864	19,016	21,123	23,389
SANDOVAL (Rio Rancho)	109,715	128,396	148,049	170,199
SANTA FE (Santa Fe)	142,792	157,925	174,557	192,514
VALENCIA (Belen/Los Lunas)	76,582	87,575	99,646	112,909

City Population Comparison
Area Name	1990	2000	2004	# Change 2000-2004
Albuquerque	386,988	448,607	484,246	35,639
Belen	6,555	6,901	6,946	45
Estancia Valley	N/A	6,358	6,242	-116
Los Lunas	6,135	10,034	11,748	1714
Rio Rancho	32,551	51,765	61,953	10,188
Santa Fe	57,605	62,203	68,041	5,838

Area Name	% Change 2000-2004	Rank by Size in NM	Rank Among Fastest Growing Cities in NM 2000-2004
Albuquerque	7.9	1	6th
Belen	.6	29	14th
Estanica Valley	-1.8	31	NA
Los Lunas	17.0	15	2nd
Rio Rancho	19.7	4	1st
Santa Fe	10.1	3	4th

NMSS - Why Metro NM: Work Friendly People

Why Metro NM: Creative Class, PhDs

New Mexico's Creative Class

Why Metro NM: Demographics

Metro New Mexico at a Glance