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Getting to Know Belen 

Founded in 1740 by Spaniards and named the Spanish word for Bethlehem, Belen was once one of the major railroad hubs of the southwest which created a good economy in addition to the farming base of the community due to its location on the Rio Grande River.  To this day, Belen still retains its railroad infrastructure and a portion of its labor force is employed in that industry.  Belen’s economy suffered with the decline of the railroad and there was actually a population decrease for 1960 to 1970.  However, due to its proximity to the greater Albuquerque area and its location along Interstate 25, many expect Belen will grow at an unprecedented pace over the next ten years.

Master Planned Communities

Tierra Del Sol

This is a community, or series of communities built around the Tierra Del Sol golf club in Belen.  Due to the decline in the railroad industry and lack of growth in Belen during the past forty years, the golf course has declined from the prestige it once had, especially in recent years.  Despite the decline, it looks like the area is turning around with a resurgence of growth around the golf course in the last two years, with nicer and newer homes being built in the area.  With the population growth down the I-25 corridor, look for this area to turnaround and become a shining star of a community over the next five years.  

Tierra Grande

This community has so far fallen short of its potential, but will likely reach it as the greater Albuquerque area expands and enveloped Belen and this community.  Tierra Grande was initially subdivided back in the 60s and 70s by the Horizon corporation and marketed to people across the country and internationally.  The Tierra Grande subdivision is a huge platted 69,000 acre subdivision and owners of the community own part of the mountain to the east of the subdivision through the home owners association.  One of the unique draws to Tierra Grande for the residents living there is the minimum lot size of 5 acres with lot sizes ranging from 5 acres to larger than 40 acres.  This allows some breathing room and the ranch feel that many are looking for.    

Though growth in the area is slow, there are a few new (very nice) homes built each year and the rate of growth is increasing.  Look for Tierra Grande to have twice the growth in its next ten years as it did in its first forty years.

Belen Demographic Information  

Estimated Population 6,901 (2000)

Median Household Income $26,754 

Belen Weather Information

Month	Avg. High	Avg. Low	Avg. Precip.
January	51.0° F	18.0° F	0.43 in
February	58.0° F	22.0° F	0.42 in
March	65.0° F	28.0° F	0.57 in
April	72.0° F	35.0° F	0.50 in
May	80.0° F	44.0° F	0.60 in
June	90.0° F	53.0° F	0.52 in
July	92.0° F	60.0° F	1.39 in
August	90.0° F	59.0° F	1.89 in
September	84.0° F	50.0° F	1.39 in
October	74.0° F	37.0° F	1.09 in
November	60.0° F	25.0° F	0.59 in
December	51.0° F	18.0° F	0.54 in