Portales city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Portales city, New Mexico has a total population of 12,023, the 20th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $51,290, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.5%.
Portales city Quick Facts
How Portales city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portales city Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Cities Similar to Portales city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Española city | 10,472 | $47,664 | $205,100 | 18.4% | 18.6% |
| Las Vegas city | 13,120 | $42,732 | $143,900 | 27.7% | 29.3% |
| North Valley CDP | 11,474 | $67,115 | $290,500 | 24.3% | 20.1% |
| Lovington city | 11,444 | $67,284 | $162,900 | 9.6% | 23.4% |
| Artesia city | 12,555 | $77,647 | $213,800 | 20.6% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Portales city is a small city located in New Mexico. The total population is 12,023. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portales city is 27.7 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 39.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portales city is $51,290. This is 17% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $132,900. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Portales city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portales city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 46.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 45.5%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
26.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portales city, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portales city, New Mexico?
Portales city, New Mexico has a population of 12,023 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portales city, NM?
The median household income in Portales city is $51,290, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Portales city, NM?
The poverty rate in Portales city is 21.5%. This means approximately 2,354 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portales city, New Mexico?
Portales city's population is 45.5% White, 1.4% Black, 46.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portales city, NM?
The median home value in Portales city is $132,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Portales city, New Mexico?
26.4% of adults (25+) in Portales city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.