Calendar
- Transportation Coordinating Committee Meeting
06-01-12 (1:30 pm) - WCCNM Executive Committee Meeting
06-07-12 (8:00 am) - Agriculture Collaborative Meeting
06-13-12 (9:00 am) - RTPO Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
06-14-12 (9:30 am) - RTPO Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
06-14-12 (9:30 am)
| City of Belen |
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Belen City Hall
Belen's history starts in the 1740's, when a farming community along the Rio Grande was founded. The King of Spain issued the Nuestra Senora de Belen grant to Captain Diego de Torres and a group of settlers. Belen became the chief community and trading center in the region. In the 1880's, the railroad was constructed through the community followed by the establishment of the "Belen yards" with railway equipment repair shops. Today, Belen is the major city in the southern part of Valencia County. Interstate 25 now passes through the community. Belen continues to be a rail center, as well as a trading center. Agriculture is still important, however, the number of acres devoted to this industry are declining in the face of urban development. 
Belen Railroad
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Population Trend, 1960 - 2000 |
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| 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | |
| Population | 5,031 | 4,823 | 5,617 | 6,547 | 6,901 |
| Annual Growth Rate % | -0.41 | 1.54 | 1.54 | 0.53 | |
| Sources: U.S. Bureau of Census for 1960 - 1990, MRGCOG for 1999 Estimate | |||||
1980 Median Age (Census): 28.6
1990 Median Age (Census): 31.1
2000 Median Age (Census): 34.6
Housing by Type, 1990 and 2000 |
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| Year | Single Family | Multifamily | Mobile Homes | Total Units |
| 1990 | 1,924 | 320 | 378 | 2,622 |
| 2000 | 1,828 | 431 | 538 | 2,952 |
| Source: 1990 Census and 2000 Census | ||||
2000 Average Household Size (Census): 2.61
Median Household Income
1989 (Census): $18,852 (63% of the U.S. median)
1999 (Census): $26,754
Government
A mayor and four councilors are elected for four-year staggered terms.
Utilities
- Water: City of Belen
- Source of Water: Ground water
- Sewer: City of Belen
- Solid Waste: City of Belen
- Electric: Public Service Company of New Mexico
- Natural Gas: Public Service Company of New Mexico
- Telephone: QWEST
Transportation
- Air: A general aviation airport
- Intercity Bus: TNM&O
Train, Freight: Burlington Northern & Santa Fe
Services
- Police: City of Belen
- Fire: City of Belen
- Parks: The City maintains parks, athletic fields, recreation facilities, and a senior center.
Education
- Belen School District
- A branch campus of the University of New Mexico is nearby.
Contact Us
Mid Region Council of Governments
809 Copper Ave., NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 505.247.1750
Fax: 505.247.1753
Contact us by Email