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CITY · 2010 ACS

Portales

New Mexico · 12,280 residents · 8.026 sq mi
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Part of the Clovis micropolitan area
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The short version

Portales has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,135. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $89,400. At a median age of 27.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 30.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the New Mexico median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 27.1
US median: 37.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,280
+10%since 2000
from 11,131 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,530 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 1,387 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
27.1
−1%since 2000
from 27.3 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K12K12K13K1990201020202024Portales
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,135
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,658 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,994
+16%since 2000
from $12,935 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
15.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
30.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 24.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.482
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information15.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade7.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction5.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,400
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$523
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $394 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
29.7%
−25.0 ptssince 2000
from 54.7% in 2000
49.5% rent
Vacancy rate
16.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
17.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.0
+40%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Portales on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.6%(6,303)
Black2.2%(246)
Hispanic / Latino38.1%(4,244)
Asian0.8%(93)
Other0%
Diversity Score64%(7,126)
2010
White, non-Hispanic50.9%(6,255)
Black2.1%(263)
Hispanic / Latino43%(5,278)
Asian1.1%(141)
Other2.1%(256)
Diversity Score68.6%(8,419)
Diversity Score
69
+7%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.3%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 25.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
78.6%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 74.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
10.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.3 min
−1%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
4.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
23.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.3%
−27.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
49.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
6.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.3%
−41.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Portales to nearby cities

PORTALES VS
Clovis
Income$54,820+82%
Home value$169,400+89%
Population37,127+216%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTALES VS
Levelland
Income$58,000+92%
Home value$140,400+57%
Population12,513+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTALES VS
Hereford
Income$56,868+89%
Home value$109,700+23%
Population14,976+28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTALES VS
Lovington
Income$68,821+128%
Home value$166,100+86%
Population11,620−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Portales, New Mexico?

Portales, New Mexico has about 12,280 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Portales, New Mexico?

The typical household in Portales, New Mexico earns about $30,135 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Portales, New Mexico expensive?

In Portales, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $89,400, and the typical rent is about $523 a month.

How educated are people in Portales, New Mexico?

About 24.3% of adults age 25 and over in Portales, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Portales, New Mexico?

About 30.2% of people in Portales, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Portales, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Portales, New Mexico has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,590 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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