Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Albuquerque, New Mexico
State New Mexico
City Albuquerque
County1 Bernalillo*
City Population (2005)2 488,133 25.9% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 32 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 32 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Santa Fe
State Population (2005)2 1,887,200
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Martin J. Chavez
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.cabq.gov/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 505-768-3000
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, October 6, 2009
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Bill Richardson
State/Governor Website http://www.newmexico.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 505-476-2200
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.24    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 15.5%    
     Disability Status 13.2% 22  
     Emphysema 1.24% 53  
     Cardiovascular Disease 25.02% 54  
     Diabetes 5.29% 56  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.58% 66  
     Adult Asthma 9.47% 63  
     Adult Obesity 18.8%   11
     People Without Health Insurance 20.6%   50
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.0% 24  
     Age: 65 years and over 10.8% 38  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 15.0% 14  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 13.7% 52  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 44.0% 36  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 6.9% 21  
     Individuals Below Poverty 14.9% 26  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 17.4% 26  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 44.1% 20  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 26.8% 46  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.4    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 14.7 (of 51) 12  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 2,197,357 pounds   8
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 4,950,049 pounds 11
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,456,312 pounds 17
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 16,528,555 pounds 4
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 27,698,606 pounds 6
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 8.0 grams 9
Number of Superfund Sites in County 3 sites 48  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.888 tons per person 14
Recycling Rate (1997) 12.0% 43
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 2,198,193 tons 14
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.2 tons/person 15
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 186,466 tons 39
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 8.5% 41
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 35.1% 29
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -29.2% 35
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.0***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 50,800 tons   16
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 78,400 tons   24
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 33,370,500 tons   20
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 1,790.0 pounds   28
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 1.3 days 17  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 0.0 PM2.5 1  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 6.6 PM2.5 4  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 1.0 days 15  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.8 PM2.5 25  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 6.7 PM2.5 5  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 4 ppm 42  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.03 ug/m3 12  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.018 ppm 30  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 41 ug/m3 54  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 6 days 14  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 2.5    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Poor ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Good ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Poor ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Rio Grande-Albuquerque; Rio Puerco ---  
# of Units in Watershed 13 units 54  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 12 units 50  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 6 units 14  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 50.0% 14  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 7.7% 26  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 8.88 inches 68  
Water Area Total, square miles 234 square miles 68  
Water Area Inland, square miles 234 square miles 66  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Albuquerque ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 59 years 11  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 61 days 53  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Albuquerque ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 59 years 16  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 10.9 inches 36  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 3,510,000,000 gallons/day 56  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 2,080,000,000 gallons/day 12  
Ground water, gallons/day 1,700,000,000 gallons/day 29  
Surface water, gallons/day 1,800,000,000 gallons/day 57  
Irrigation, gallons/day 2,990,000,000 gallons/day 32  
Public Supply, gallons/day 337,000,000 gallons/day 57  
Industrial, gallons/day 69,000,000 gallons/day 61  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 55,000,000 gallons/day 64  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 1,980,000,000 gallons/day 31  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Albuquerque Water System ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 453,000 people 39  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2002 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 16 contaminants 34  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 2 contaminants 14  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 6 contaminants 48  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 32  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 10 contaminants 41  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 29  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 6 contaminants 34  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 19  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 6 contaminants 32  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 33  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 16 contaminants 34  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 190 contaminants 5  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 144 contaminants 5  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 46 contaminants 4  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 2,483.4 people per square mile 50  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,098.7 housing units per square mile 47  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 20.4 minutes 20  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 21.3 minutes 30  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 12.5% 42  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 1.7% 56  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.8% 27  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.6% 13  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 100.4 27  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 80.0 MV registrations   18
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 41.3%   25
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 36.8 MV registrations   8
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.22 MV registrations   34
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 63,953 miles   20
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.120%   7
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 10.7%   41
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.05 miles   44
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 42.38 miles   43
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $862,000,000   15
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $13,479 per mile   9
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 61.1%   32
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 16.0 hours per person 14  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $269 per person 15  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $156,000,000 8  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 9 gallons per person 12  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $40,527 30  
Median Household Income (2000) $38,272 33  
Per capita income (2004) $23,235 25  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $20,884 34  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 12.6% 32  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 13.5% 26  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 14.9% 26  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 3.8% 30  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 17.4% 26  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 17,892 people 31  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 4.6% 22  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 6.9% 21  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.8% 29  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 5.8% 29  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 18.1% 34  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 15.9% 31  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 89,592 kids (4.7% of total pop.) 32  
Largest School District Enrollment 85,276 kids (4.5% of total pop.) 19  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 44.1% 20  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 56.0% 34  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 86.3% 20  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 30.4% 31  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 15% 14  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Poor   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 206,279 units 29  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 36.2% 64  
Cost of Living: Housing 97.9 39  
Cost of Living: Utilities 97.3 27  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 97.0 19  
Cost of Living: Overall 100.1 40  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 59.17%   35
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 42.10%   30
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 60.10%   38
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 28.1%   35
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,154.8 incidents per 100,000 people 45  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 985.2 incidents per 100,000 people 44  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,169.6 incidents per 100,000 people 47  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,196.2 incidents per 100,000 people 46  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    3.5***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 1.0 parks per square mile 18  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 0.0 park acres per city square mile 45  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 39.5 acres 3  
Parkland as % of City Area 15.4% 8  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 1.4% 55  
Total City Urbanized Area % 42.7% 13  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.1    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.58% 66
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 9.47% 63
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.17% 49
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.24% 53
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 25.02% 54
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.29% 56  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 18.8% 11
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 11.0% 45
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 15%-19% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 22.0% 49
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.3% 17
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 172.8 5
Cost of Living: Health 106.8 37  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 21.4% 50
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 20.6% 50
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -3.7% 15
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.8% 6
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 8 farms 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 6 markets 43
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 2 grocery stores 26
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 2 other sources 36
Cost of Living: Food 107.4 49
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 47.6% 4
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 42.8% 41
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.4    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 10 kW   34
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 10 kW   36
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds in Development   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 10%   12
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2011   5
States with Green Pricing Programs Mandatory   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 1.1%   44
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 56 years 12
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 76% 3
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.9 mph 30
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8 mph 47
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.9 mph 16
Heating Degree Days 4,425 days 24
Cooling Degree Days 1,244 days 37
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 38 years 26
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 59% 3
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 29% 3
Elevation, feet 4,957 feet 69
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 488,133 32 (of 72 in EDN study) 25.9% of state population
City Population (2000) 448,607 35 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 1,887,200 36 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Southwest ---  
EPA Region 6 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 181.0 square miles 27 0.1% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 121,364 square miles 5  
Watershed Name Rio Grande-Albuquerque; Rio Puerco ---  
Elevation, feet 4,957 ft. (1,507.8 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 35.7°F (2.1°C) 37
Average Daily Temperature - July 78.5°F (25.8°C) 42  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 34.9 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 74.9% 26  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 10.8% 35  
Under 5 years of age 34,785 kids (7.0% of total pop.) 34  
One Race-White % (2005) 72.2% 21  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 27.8% 52  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 43.7% 6  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 26.8% 27  
Largest School District Name Albuquerque Public Schools ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network