Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Albuquerque have?
The Census counts 256,861 housing units in Albuquerque for a population of about 562,488 — roughly 2.2 people for every housing unit.
That is the largest of the four New Mexico cities with a page here; the next, Las Cruces, counts 49,809.
Who arranges chimney work on an Albuquerque home?
About 61.5% of occupied Albuquerque homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 38.5% rented.
Even at 61.5% owner-occupied, the remaining 38.5% of Albuquerque homes are rented, where the person who notices a problem and the person who authorizes the repair are not the same. Say which you are when you send a request.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. An Albuquerque chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 61.5% you are on.
Which cities near Albuquerque have their own page here?
Santa Fe, about 54 miles away, Roswell, about 170 miles away, and Las Cruces, about 192 miles away — measured from Albuquerque.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Santa Fe's median build year is 1985 against Albuquerque's 1982, a 3-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Photograph from ground level only.
- Note if a recent storm preceded the change.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Attachment damage
- Weather-related displacement
- Deteriorated or incompatible component
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Chimney cap installation in AlbuquerqueA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.