What is the Duke City?

Albuquerque: The Duke City

Albuquerque is an old city by American standards. It was founded in 1706 as a Spanish trading outpost. As New Mexico moved toward statehood in the 20th Century, the city became known nationally as a small city with an attractive climate along Old Route 66. The establishment of Kirtland Air Force Base in 1939 and Sandia National Laboratories in 1949 moved Albuquerque into the forefront of the atomic age and attracted many highly educated Americans to settle in the Duke City.

Size: With a population of 500,000, with 800,000 in the metro area, Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico; in fact, nearly half of the state’s residents call the Albuquerque area home.

Modern Day: Modern-day Albuquerque is a relatively poor city. While there are pockets of affluence, there is a significant crime problem. Gangs continue to hold sway in certain areas of the city. Casinos, on nearby Native American reservations, prey on the lower and middle classes. Despite these issues, Albuquerque continues to grow at a rate higher than the national average. U.S. News and World Report recently named the Duke City as one of the Top Ten Places to live in the United States.

Ethnicity: In Albuquerque, Anglos are the majority ethnic group, with approximately 70% of the city described as white. Hispanics comprise nearly 20% of the city, and Native Americans 5%. Asians (3%) and African Americans (2%), usually a significant presence in a city this size, do not factor into Albuquerque in a culturally distinctive way; most of these two groups reflect an Anglo culture.

It is a popular place for Midwesterners to relocate, similar to Phoenix, but much smaller with a milder climate. Statewide, the population is more diverse with Anglos making up a plurality (rather than a majority) of the population.

Culture: The Duke City’s culture can best be described as southwestern, but more influenced by the west (California, Arizona) than by the south (Texas). Recreational opportunities abound, with the nearby Sandia and Manzano mountains providing opportunities for hiking and skiing. Politically, the state reflects the changing of the guard in the Rocky Mountain states and is considered ‘blue,’ although Albuquerque elected a Republican mayor in 2009.

The Balloon Fiesta is an international festival held each October and is a major tourist draw to the area.

Leading Industries: The Albuquerque metro area boasts some of the nation’s finest talent in the scientific, technological and artistic worlds. In terms of industries, the Albuquerque area is significantly subsidized by the federal and state governments. Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base and the University of New Mexico are leading employers in the city. Nearby Rio Rancho’s top employer is Intel. This makes the area somewhat ‘recession-proof’, in terms of employment, as the government is committed to the area and Intel is thriving despite the recent downturn in the national economy.

Information taken from the New Mexico Tourism Department