How old are the homes in Albuquerque, NM?

47.1% (±1.1 points) of the homes in Albuquerque, NM were built before 1980 (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

3.0% were built before 1940.

8.1% were built in 2010 or later.

Figures last updated on .

Built before 1980
47.1% (±1.1 points)
Built before 1940
3.0%
Built 2010 or later
8.1%

When the homes in Albuquerque were built

Housing units by year structure built, 2020–2024
Year builtAlbuquerqueBernalillo CountyNew MexicoUnited States
2020 or later1.0% (±0.2 points)1.1%1.4%2.0%
2010 to 20197.1% (±0.4 points)6.9%8.4%9.4%
2000 to 200916.5% (±0.6 points)15.8%15.5%13.6%
1990 to 199913.5% (±0.7 points)14.2%15.8%12.4%
1980 to 198914.8% (±0.6 points)15.1%16.2%12.9%
1970 to 197918.7% (±0.6 points)18.5%16.9%14.2%
1960 to 19699.6% (±0.6 points)9.6%9.0%9.9%
1950 to 195912.0% (±0.5 points)11.5%8.9%9.5%
1940 to 19493.8% (±0.4 points)3.9%3.5%4.4%
1939 or earlier3.0% (±0.3 points)3.3%4.4%11.7%

In Albuquerque, the share of homes built before 1980 is not measurably different from Bernalillo County (46.8%).

It is also higher than in New Mexico (42.7%).

It is lower than the national figure (49.7%).

In Bernalillo County, Albuquerque ranks 6 of 12 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of homes built before 1980.

Statewide, it ranks 94 of 205.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Why the age of a home matters: lead-based paint

Federal law treats housing built before 1978 as likely to contain lead-based paint.

Before a lease or sale of most pre-1978 housing, the landlord or seller must disclose any known lead-based paint and hazards and give the tenant or buyer the EPA pamphlet (42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR part 745, subpart F; 24 CFR part 35, subpart A).

A contractor paid to renovate, repair or paint a pre-1978 home must be a certified firm, use a certified renovator and follow lead-safe work practices under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E) whenever the job disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surface in a room or more than 20 square feet outside; window replacement and demolition always count (40 CFR 745.83).

Certification comes from EPA, or from the state where EPA has authorized the state to run the program.

The Census Bureau groups construction by decade, so the share built before 1978 lies between the share built before 1970 (28.4%) and the share built before 1980 (47.1%).

Homes built before 1980 in places near Albuquerque

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Albuquerque
PlaceDistanceHomes built before 1980Compared with this place
Albuquerque—47.1% (±1.1 points)—
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque4.0 mi66.6% (±13.8 points)Higher
North Valley4.9 mi53.4% (±9.3 points)Not measurably different
Kirtland AFB6.2 mi25.4% (±13.6 points)Lower
South Valley6.9 mi65.9% (±5.3 points)Higher
Paradise Hills7.2 mi75.2% (±17.2 points)Higher
Corrales9.4 mi37.5% (±6.6 points)Lower
Sandia Heights10 mi29.6% (±7.8 points)Lower
Rio Rancho13 mi13.5% (±1.4 points)Lower

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Kirtland AFB, NM (25.4%), Corrales, NM (37.5%), Sandia Heights, NM (29.6%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM (66.6%), South Valley, NM (65.9%), Paradise Hills, NM (75.2%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Homes built before 1980 across Bernalillo County, place by place

RankPlaceHomes built before 1980
1Paradise Hills75.2% (±17.2 points)
2Los Ranchos de Albuquerque66.6% (±13.8 points)
3South Valley65.9% (±5.3 points)
4North Valley53.4% (±9.3 points)
5Tijeras49.8% (±21.6 points)
6Albuquerque47.1% (±1.1 points)
7Isleta46.9% (±20.5 points)
8Sandia Knolls34.1% (±17.9 points)
9Sandia Heights29.6% (±7.8 points)
10Ponderosa Pine26.8% (±17.1 points)
11Kirtland AFB25.4% (±13.6 points)
12Barton12.2% (±16.1 points)

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

What you can do on Seayora in Albuquerque

One account for renting, owning, managing and fixing homes, with these figures beside you.

Do repairs, renovations or maintenance?

Get found by owners and renters near Albuquerque, and send estimates and invoices from your phone.

Join as a pro · Find a pro

Own or manage a rental?

List it, sign the lease and collect rent online, with the figures for Albuquerque beside you.

Create a landlord account · See what landlords get

Looking for a place to rent?

Browse homes for rent near Albuquerque, save the ones you like and apply online.

Browse rentals · Create a renter account

Questions about Albuquerque

How old are most homes in Albuquerque?

47.1% of homes in Albuquerque, NM were built before 1980 (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

Do homes in Albuquerque need a lead paint disclosure?

A home built before 1978 does, before it is rented or sold, unless an exemption applies (42 U.S.C. § 4852d); between 28.4% and 47.1% of homes in Albuquerque were built before then.

Does a contractor need lead certification to work on older homes in Albuquerque?

Yes, when the job disturbs more than 6 square feet of paint in a room or 20 square feet outside, or replaces a window: the firm must be certified and a certified renovator must direct the work under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E).

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Albuquerque city, New Mexico (place:02000, in state:35).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0017PE, DP04_0017PM, DP04_0018PE, DP04_0018PM, DP04_0019PE, DP04_0019PM, DP04_0020PE, DP04_0020PM, DP04_0021PE, DP04_0021PM, DP04_0022PE, DP04_0022PM, DP04_0023PE, DP04_0023PM, DP04_0024PE, DP04_0024PM, DP04_0025PE, DP04_0025PM, DP04_0026PE, DP04_0026PM

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.

Figures last updated on .

Related