The Mid-Region Council of Governments develops socioeconomic forecasts every 4 years for the entire four county area of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia, as well as southern Santa Fe County. The forecasts assist planners in determining future transportation needs, informing local planning and land use policy, and guide the evaluation of land use and transportation project alternatives. MRCOG’s socioeconomic forecasts are also available to member governments and planning agencies for their own use.

Key resources used in the development of MRCOG Forecasts are the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

Other data sources include: locally maintained land use inventories; rural addressing files; aerial photography; planning and zoning cases; local news; residential and commercial building permits for new construction; meetings with municipal planners, government officials; school facilities planners; meetings with major developers in the region; meetings with planning and consulting firms; public information meetings; approved Comprehensive plans; approved Sector development plans; approved Area plans; other planning policies; and approved Master Plans.

The forecast overview and methodology is provided in 2030 Socioeconomic Forecasts by DASZ for the Mid-Region of New Mexico. The following is a summary of the 2030 socioeconomic forecast for the Region.