About Real Estate in Santa Fe, New Mexico :: Santa Fe Real Estate and Homes from GMAC Fine Properties

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe (Spanish, "Holy Faith") (full form: La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis, English: Royal City of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi) is the capital of New Mexico, a state of the United States of America. It has a population of around 62,203 (2000). It is the county seat of Santa Fe County.

San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe is the oldest church structure in the US. The adobe walls were constructed around A.D. 1610

The elevation of Santa Fe is 2,132 metres (6,996 feet) above sea level, compared with 1655.4 m (5,430 ft) for Denver, Colorado and around 5,352 ft for Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The city administration consciously attempts to preserve and display a regional architectural style. By a law passed in 1958, new and rebuilt buildings, especially those in designated historic districts, must exhibit a Spanish Territorial or Pueblo style of architecture, with flat roofs and other features suggestive of the area's traditional adobe construction. Many contemporary houses in the city are built from lumber, concrete blocks, and other materials but with stucco surfaces (fondly known by the locals as "fakeadobe", pronounced as one word) reflecting the historic style.

In addition to serving as the state capital, the city depends economically on art, tourism, construction, and real estate development. Set at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the city's intellectual climate and cultural attractions have drawn an influx of new residents with an above average income and educational level. Restaurants, boutiques, and galleries line the streets of the city center and Canyon Road. In many demographic trends, Santa Fe exhibits several differences from other areas of New Mexico.

Adobe building near the Plaza in Santa Fe

The growth boom flagged temporarily in the mid-1990s when Debbie Jaramillo, who opposed the focus on tourism, was elected mayor. Although she was voted out after serving one term, the city continues to face the challenges of continuing drought conditions and a widening divide between locals and recent arrivals. Still, art and tourism remain Santa Fe's biggest industries.

Some visitors find Santa Fe particularly attractive around the second week of September when the aspens in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains turn yellow and the skies are clear and blue. This is also the time of the annual Fiesta to celebrate the "reconquering" of New Mexico by Don Diego DeVargas, a highlight is when Santa Feans burn Zozobra, a fifty-foot puppet also called "Old Man Gloom."

Geography
Santa Fe is located at 35°40'2" North, 105°57'52" West (35.667231, -105.964575)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 96.9 km? (37.4 mi?). 96.7 km? (37.3 mi?) of it is land and 0.2 km? (0.1 mi?) of it is water. The total area is 0.21% water.

Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 62,203 people, 27,569 households, and 14,969 families residing in the city. The population density is 643.4/km? (1,666.1/mi?). There are 30,533 housing units at an average density of 315.8/km? (817.8/mi?). The racial makeup of the city is 76.30% White, 0.66% African American, 2.21% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 15.29% from other races, and 4.20% from two or more races. 47.82% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 27,569 households out of which 24.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.6% are married couples living together, 12.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% are non-families. 36.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.20 and the average family size is 2.90.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $40,392, and the median income for a family is $49,705. Males have a median income of $32,373 versus $27,431 for females. The per capita income for the city is $25,454. 12.3% of the population and 9.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Santa Fe is located along Interstate 25, but the highway does not run through the city proper. Most tourist activity takes place in the historic downtown, especially on and around the Plaza, a one-block square adjacent to the Palace of the Governors, the original seat of New Mexico's territorial government since the time of Spanish colonization. Canyon Road, east of the Plaza, has the highest concentration of art galleries and restaurants in the city, and is a major destination for wealthy tourists and locals. Santa Fe's art market is the third largest in the United States, after New York and Los Angeles, and the Canyon Road galleries showcase a wide array of contemporary Southwestern, indigenous American, and experimental art, in addition to older Russian, Taos Masters, and Native American pieces.