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 17th fastest growing state in the U.S., with a steady increase in population from 1.5 million in 1990 to a population of 1.98 million in July 2008.
Metro New Mexico counties account for nearly half the state's population.
About 60% of the population is between 18 and 65.
Hispanics comprise 44.4% 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 3rd in the country in the percentage of scientists and engineers in the labor force.
New Mexico has the second highest concentration of technology workers in the nation (2008).

Education

Metro New Mexico ranks consistently high in the percentage of college graduates per capita.
84% of persons 25 years old and over have a high school degree or higher (2008).
29.4% have a bachelor's degree or higher (2008).

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	2025
STATE	1,969,262	2,162,331	2,356,236	2,540,145	2,707,757
BERNALILLO (Albuquerque)	614,508	713,020	811,861	905,393	993,650
TORRANCE (Estancia Valley)	18,282	20,052	22,184	24,584	26,990
SANDOVAL (Rio Rancho)	107,104	125,675	144,087	163,315	182,592
SANTA FE (Santa Fe)	143,306	151,510	159,056	165,719	170,730
VALENCIA (Belen/Los Lunas)	71,458	79,984	89,045	98,459	107,294

Source: Bureau of Business & Economic Research, University of NM

City Population Comparison
Area Name	2000	2007	# Change 2000-2007
Albuquerque	448,607	518,271	69,664
Belen	6,901	7,159	258
Estancia Valley	6,692	6,682	-10
Los Lunas	10,034	12,115	2,081
Rio Rancho	51,765	75,978	24,213
Santa Fe	62,203	73,199	10,996

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