Portales, NM

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

11,968

US Senator

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

27.1

2.17% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

28.1%

30.6% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$50,555

1.43% 1-year decline

2024 Median Property Value

$133,400

0.376% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

4,956

4.07% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Portales, NM reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.1% of the residents in Portales, NM are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Portales, NM are Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus (1,383 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Portales, NM was $133,400, and the homeownership rate was 47.6%.

Most people in Portales, NM drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 12.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Portales, NM was 2 cars per household.

United States New Mexico Roosevelt County, NM Portales, NM Eastern New Mexico PUMA, NM

Population & Diversity

Portales, NM is home to a population of 12k people, from which 94.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 8.05% of Portales, NM residents were born outside of the country (963 people).

In 2024, there were 2.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (4.96k people) in Portales, NM than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.25k White (Hispanic) and 1.83k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.1%

2024 Citizenship

96%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.1% of Portales, NM residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Portales, NM was 96%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Portales, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Portales, NM

White (Non-Hispanic)
4.96k ± 455
White (Hispanic)
2.25k ± 406
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
1.83k ± 457

49.8%

Hispanic Population

5.96k people

49.8% of the people in Portales, NM are hispanic (5.96k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Portales, NM as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for New Mexico.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
126,568 ± 8,470 people
Philippines
6,950 ± 2,043 people
Germany
4,158 ± 1,582 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New Mexico was Mexico, the natal country of 126,568 New Mexico residents, followed by Philippines with 6,950 and Germany with 4,158.

Foreign-Born Population

8.05%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

963 people

4.47%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

537 people

As of 2024, 8.05% of Portales, NM residents (963 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Portales, NM was 4.47%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Portales, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
473 ± 182
Vietnam
96 ± 77
Gulf War (1990s)
40 ± 40

Portales, NM has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 4.93 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Portales, NM.

Health

89.2% of the population of Portales, NM has health coverage, with 24.9% on employee plans, 36.3% on Medicaid, 4.17% on Medicare, 20.7% on non-group plans, and 3.2% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in New Mexico see 1,344 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,344 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1436 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 215 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 32.2% under 18 years, 28.2% between 18 and 34 years, 27.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.8%

Uninsured

24.9%

Employer Coverage

36.3%

Medicaid

4.17%

Medicare

20.7%

Non-Group

3.2%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Portales, NM grew by 45.7% from 7.38% to 10.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Portales, NM changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Portales, NM employs 4.96k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Portales, NM were Health Care & Social Assistance (861 people), Educational Services (860 people), and Retail Trade (701 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($88,333), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($61,453), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($60,320).

Employment

Occupations

4.96k

2024 Value

± 683

−4.07%

1 Year decline

± 19.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portales, NM declined at a rate of −4.07%, from 5.17k employees to 4.96k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Portales, NM, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (507 people), Sales & Related Occupations (462 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (358 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Portales, NM.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in New Mexico (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.96k

2024 Value

± 683

−4.07%

1 Year decline

± 19.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portales, NM declined at a rate of −4.07%, from 5.17k employees to 4.96k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Portales, NM, are Health Care & Social Assistance (861 people), Educational Services (860 people), and Retail Trade (701 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Portales, NM, though some of these residents may live in Portales, NM and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$35,259

Median earning men ± $4,697

$23,730

Median earning women ± $6,889

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($103,859), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($47,083), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($47,083).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($50,543), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($31,101), and Public Administration ($28,125).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

Y-Axis

2.72%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 860k people employed in New Mexico. This represents a 2.72% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in New Mexico.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in New Mexico went to Kamala Harris with 51.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (45.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.03%).

Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are the senators currently representing the state of New Mexico. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

New Mexico is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Portales, NM. Showing the available data for New Mexico.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (51.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (45.9%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.03%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in New Mexico went to Kamala Harris with 51.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (45.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.03%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in New Mexico for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from New Mexico

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

Martin Heinrich

Senator from New Mexico

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ben Ray Luján

Senator from New Mexico

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are the senators currently representing New Mexico.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in New Mexico over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Portales, NM awarded 1,383 degrees. The student population of Portales, NM in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,991 male students and 3,734 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Portales, NM are Hispanic or Latino (584 and 43.1%), White (579 and 42.8%), Black or African American (59 and 4.36%), and Two or More Races (46 and 3.4%).

The largest universities in Portales, NM by number of degrees awarded are Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus (1,383 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Portales, NM are Liberal Arts & Sciences (246 and 17.8%), General Business Administration & Management (119 and 8.6%), and Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology (111 and 8.03%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $4,194 for in-state students and $6,174 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Portales, NM, the percentage of applicants admitted was 91.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 37%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 5,725 (34.8% men and 65.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 5,725 students enrolled in Portales, NM, 34.8% men and 65.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 2,359 records, of which 68.1% were women and 31.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
84 degrees awarded
General Studies
76 degrees awarded
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
63 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Portales, NM was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 84 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Portales, NM according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,383 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus with 1,383 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 440 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Portales, NM, which is 0.467 times less than the 943 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 584 degrees mean that there were 1.01 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 579 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($4,194) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,880) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($950) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Portales, NM was $133,400 in 2024, which is 0.401 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $132,900 to $133,400, a 0.376% increase. The homeownership rate in Portales, NM is 47.6%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Portales, NM have an average commute time of 12.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Portales, NM is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$133,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$19,772

$2,168

Median Property Taxes

±$401

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Portales, NM the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Portales, NM compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

47.6%

Homeownership

2024

60.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 47.6% of the housing units in Portales, NM were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 53%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Portales, NM compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$50,555

Median Household Income

± $4,369

4.56k

Number of Households

± 601

In 2024, the median household income of the 4.56k households in Portales, NM declined from $50,555 from the previous year's value of $51,290.

The following chart displays the households in Portales, NM distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Portales, NM is from New Mexico.

0.46

2024 Wage GINI in New Mexico

0.462

2023 Wage GINI in New Mexico

In 2024, the income inequality in New Mexico was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.506% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New Mexico was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in New Mexico in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in New Mexico across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (81.5%)
Carpooled (9.38%)
Walked (5.44%)

In 2024, 81.5% of workers in Portales, NM drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.38%) and those who walked to work (5.44%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

12.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Portales, NM have a shorter commute time (12.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.201% of the workforce in Portales, NM have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Portales, NM compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Portales, NM distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Portales, NM have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

28.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Portales, NM (3.06k out of 10.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Portales, NM is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.