Portales, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portales, New Mexico had a total population of 11,968, the 20th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $50,555, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Portales Quick Facts
How Portales Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,023 | 11,968 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $51,290 | $50,555 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $132,900 | $133,400 | +0.4% |
How Portales Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portales Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Roosevelt County
Cities Similar to Portales
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 13,000 | $45,125 | $155,300 | 28.3% | 32.0% |
| Española | 10,473 | $47,667 | $210,800 | 18.3% | 20.4% |
| Lovington | 11,498 | $68,821 | $166,100 | 8.4% | 25.0% |
| North Valley | 10,455 | $61,498 | $302,700 | 27.6% | 17.6% |
| Artesia | 12,576 | $74,915 | $229,400 | 19.9% | 15.7% |
Population Overview
Portales is a small city located in New Mexico, within Roosevelt County. The total population is 11,968. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portales is 27.1 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 29.0% of the population under 18, Portales has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portales is $50,555. This is 21% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.1%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. 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 7.4%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $133,400. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Portales is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 47.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portales is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.4%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portales, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all New Mexico city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portales, New Mexico?
Portales, New Mexico has a population of 11,968 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portales, NM?
The median household income in Portales is $50,555, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portales, NM?
The poverty rate in Portales is 28.1%. This means approximately 3,064 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portales, New Mexico?
Portales's population is 41.4% White, 0.9% Black, 49.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portales, NM?
The median home value in Portales is $133,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Portales, New Mexico?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Portales hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.