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CITY · 2020 ACS

Portales

New Mexico · 12,137 residents · 8.026 sq mi
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The short version

Portales has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,507. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $117,100. At a median age of 28.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 25.7% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 28.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 49%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,137
+9%since 2000
from 11,131 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,512 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 1,387 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
28.6
+5%since 2000
from 27.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K12K12K13K1990201020202024Portales
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,507
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,658 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,956
+47%since 2000
from $12,935 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.7%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 24.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$117,100
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$738
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $394 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 54.7% in 2000
50.5% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+33%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic44%(5,340)
Black3.1%(381)
Hispanic / Latino46.7%(5,663)
Asian1.3%(154)
Other4.3%(520)
Diversity Score72.5%(8,804)
Diversity Score
73
+13%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 25.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.2%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 74.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.6%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
+25%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 63.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.9%
−24.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
50.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
8.6%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.4%
−65.2 ptssince 2013
from 77.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Portales to nearby cities

PORTALES VS
Clovis
Income$54,820+32%
Home value$169,400+45%
Population37,127+216%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTALES VS
Levelland
Income$58,000+40%
Home value$140,400+20%
Population12,513+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTALES VS
Hereford
Income$56,868+37%
Home value$109,700−6%
Population14,976+28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTALES VS
Lovington
Income$68,821+66%
Home value$166,100+42%
Population11,620−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Portales, New Mexico?

Portales, New Mexico has about 12,137 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Portales, New Mexico earns about $41,507 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 $117,100, and the typical rent is about $738 a month.

How educated are people in Portales, New Mexico?

About 26.0% 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 25.7% 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 1,447 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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

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