Valencia County Government

444 Luna Ave.
Los Lunas, New Mexico 87031

Welcome To Valencia County

Valencia County is part of the Rio Abajo. An area of the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico that stretches from the Espanola Valley in the North to Sabinal in the South. The Spaniards settled this area as early as 1598 after the first colony was founded by Governor Juan De Onate in the Indian village of Ohke on the upper East Bank of the Rio Grande. The Espanola Valley was called the "Río Arriba" (the Upper River) while the area just below "La Bajada Hill" was called the "Río Abajo" (the Lower River) valley.

New settlements were always found near Indian Pueblos. The Pueblo Indians were friendly and insisted that the new Colonists build their homes near the Rio Grande River. The river had a lot to offer both the Natives and the Colonists in the way of sustenance to both man and beasts.

The County comprises 1,458 square miles in central New Mexico, bordering on Socorro County directly to the south, as well as Cibola County to the west, Bernalillo County to the north and Torrance County to the east. The county seat is located in the Village of Los Lunas, 20 miles south of the state's largest city, Albuquerque.

The quality of life in the county can be characterized by a strong sense of community that is enhanced by a rural lifestyle. Residents of the area have identified peace and quiet, friendliness of the people, and terrific weather as benefits that has made this rural setting a wonderful place to visit and live.

The Village of Los Lunas, founded by the Spaniards in the 17^th century, boasts a strong tri-cultural heritage that is felt even today. And despite the expected growth, current residents welcome all newcomers. Los Lunas is the seat of county government.

A little further south along the east side of the Rio Grande is the village of Tomé, which remains primarily rural in nature. Near the village of Tomé, a visitor may come across the county's community college thriving in this country setting. Or see a hot-air balloon take flight high above the cottonwoods that line the fabled Rio Grande. Tomé is home to the University of New Mexico Valencia Campus with an annual enrollment of over 900 part-time and full-time students and a favorite site for balloonist to fly over.

In 1741 two Spaniards, Diego Torres and Antonio Salazar petitioned then General and Governor Don Gaspar de Mendoza for a land grant that stretched west from the Manzano Mountains to the east banks of the Rio Puerco. This grant was officially known as Nuestra Senora de Belen (Our Lady of Belen). In Spanish Belen means Bethlehem.

Over the next 60 years, Belen grew from land grant status to district status complete with a fort and barracks for soldiers. Because of the vast distances between communities in the "Río Abajo", Belen played a strategic point along the "Camino Real", also known as the Royal Road that led into Mexico. The "Camino Real" carved a trade route through the "Río Abajo" and Belen was right in the middle as it is today. Except the "Camino Real" has given way to modern transportation such as the Santa Fe railroad and the Pan American Freeway (I-25) that stretches far into Mexico.

The population has risen dramatically in the county over the last ten years. Preliminary census figures show Valencia County with a 43.9% change in population between 1990 and 1999. Meanwhile the states largest county, Bernalillo, shows an 8.9% change in population over the same period of time. The county's close proximity to Albuquerque is attributed for the large change in population as newcomers to the area find living in Valencia County a pleasant experience. All the communities that dot the landscape along the "Rio Abajo" will experience some kind of growth in the new century. To learn more about the economic details of Valencia County, go to the "Rio Abajo Stats" page.

Modern Valencia County is an area with opportunities. An area perfectly suited for any home or business. An area where the pace is a little slower. Crime is low. Neighbors know neighbors. And opportunities abound.

Welcome to Valencia County!
Felicidades del Río Abajo!