Town of Bernalillo website 

Church in Bernalillo

The Town of Bernalillo was founded near the Rio Grande in 1695 by Don Diego de Vargas. By the end of the 1700's, Bernalillo had become a trading center. It remains a retail trade and service center for the numerous small communities in this part of the Rio Grande basin. Bernalillo is also the county seat of Sandoval County. Two of the principal roads through the County, Interstate 25 and US 550 intersect at the edge of the Town. In recent years, the area along US 550 has been a growing commercial area. In 1999, US 550 through Bernalillo carried an average 25,000 vehicles each weekday.

Bernalillo is the site of the Fiestas de San Lorenzo in August and the New Mexico Wine Festival in September. The Town contains the Abenecio Salazar Historic District and the historic Our Lady of Sorrows Church and Convent. Northwest of Bernalillo is the Coronado State Monument which was once Kuaua Pueblo, where the Spanish explorer Coronado spent the winter of 1540-41.

In 2000, employment in Bernalillo was approximately 2,300. About 900 of the jobs were government, primarily Bernalillo Public Schools and Sandoval County. The largest private sector employer was Centex American Gypsum Company which produces wallboard for the housing industry from nearby gypsum deposits. The largest private sector of the economy was retail services which accounted for 600 jobs, many of which were in the restaurant and fast food industry.

1980 Median Age (Census): 25.7
1990 Median Age (Census): 28.7
2000 Median Age (Census): 31.9
 

2000 Average Household Size (Census): 2.86

Median Household Income

1989 (Census): $19,663 (65% of the U.S. median)
1999 (Census): $30,864

Government

A mayor and four trustees are elected for four-year staggered terms. A Town Manager is appointed.

Utilities

• Water: Town of Bernalillo
• Source of Water: Ground water
• Sewer: Town of Bernalillo maintains a system of lines and a sewer treatment plant
• Solid Waste: Collection by private contractor
• Electric: Public Service Company of New Mexico
• Natural Gas: Public Service Company of New Mexico
• Telephone: QWEST

Transportation

• Air: Available at Albuquerque International Airport
• Intercity Bus: Scheduled service by Greyhound and TNM&O
• Train, Passenger: Available in Albuquerque
• Train, Freight: Burlington Northern & Santa Fe provides freight service
• Transit: None

Services

• Police: Town of Bernalillo
• Fire: Town of Bernalillo
• Parks: The Town maintains a swimming pool, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields

Education

Bernalillo is within the Bernalillo Public School District