Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Santa Fe have?
The Census counts 45,529 housing units in Santa Fe for a population of about 88,224 — roughly 1.9 people for every housing unit.
That makes Santa Fe the third largest of the four New Mexico cities with a page here; Albuquerque counts 256,861.
Who arranges chimney work on a Santa Fe home?
About 62.8% of occupied Santa Fe homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 37.2% rented.
Even at 62.8% owner-occupied, the remaining 37.2% of Santa Fe 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. A Santa Fe chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 62.8% you are on.
Which cities near Santa Fe have their own page here?
Albuquerque, about 54 miles away, Roswell, about 178 miles away, and Las Cruces, about 235 miles away — measured from Santa Fe.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Albuquerque's median build year is 1982 against Santa Fe's 1985, a 3-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Once safely outside, note what was happening when the problem began.
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
- Obstruction or restricted smoke path
- Venting or appliance issue
- Air-pressure conditions requiring diagnosis
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Chimney inspection in Santa FeA 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.
Sources & further reading
Source checked 2026-09-10.