City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Portales, NM

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Portales - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

12,023
Residents
$51,290
Median income
$132,900
Median home
$975
Median rent (state)

Portales - the verdict

Nationally, Portales sits in the 21st percentile for household income and the 10th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

21st
percentile, household income
22nd
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
10th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Portales, NM

12,023 people live in Portales, New Mexico - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $51,290 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.2%. Typical homes in Portales are valued around $132,900, and the median resident age is 27.7 years. 26.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 31 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 41% from five years earlier. Portales's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3652.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Portales's yearly average temperature at 60.1°F with 16.1 inches of precipitation per year and 7.6 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: the state registers 92.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $975 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Mexico run around $167, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Portales workers runs 14.6 minutes, with 76.8% driving alone and 2.2% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 84.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

12,023 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$51,290 /yr

Poverty 20.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Portales compare to other US cities?

Here's how Portales stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 22% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities
Safety 10% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Mexico alone, Portales ranks #35 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Portales's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Mexico, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

21stIncome percentile
10thSafety percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income · 10th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Portales's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Portales's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 37 Avg. percentile National median
Portales's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Portales's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$132,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 78% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Portales $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Portales, NM Portales, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Portales, NM-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Portales, NM median $51,290/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Portales, NM's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Portales, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
12,023
Median Income
$51,290
Median Home Value
$132,900
Median Age
27.7
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Labor force participation
57.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3652.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
781.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2871.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.1°F
Annual Precipitation
16.1"
Annual Snowfall
7.6"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
11,600 residents11,800 residents12,000 residents12,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,119 residents 11,734 residents ▼ -3.2%
Portales's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
31
housing units authorized
Single-Family
31
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 22
2020 21
2021 31
2022 28
2023 23
2024 31

Permit volume increased 41% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.6 minutes
Drive Alone
76.8%
Carpool
14.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.2%
Work from Home
2.2%

Based on 5,327 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Mexico - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$167
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Mexico state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Mexico state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Portales sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$975/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Artesia
12,555 people
North Valley
11,474 people
Lovington
11,444 people
Las Vegas
13,120 people
Los Alamos
13,471 people
Española
10,472 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Portales's 12,023 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bound Brook, NJ
12,023 people
Honeygo, MD
12,022 people
River Edge, NJ
12,024 people
Wakefield, VA
12,024 people
Hornsby Bend, TX
12,021 people
Westphalia, MD
12,020 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Portales's $51,290 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fredericksburg CDP (Crawford County), PA
$51,292 median income
Wewahitchka, FL
$51,296 median income
McRae-Helena, GA
$51,296 median income
Camden, AR
$51,300 median income
Westport, KY
$51,300 median income
Jasmine Estates, FL
$51,301 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Portales, NM Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Portales, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.8% 10.9% 16.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 46.3% White 69.8% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 10.9% Two or more races 16.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Portales compares to nearby New Mexico cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Portales (this city) 12,023 $51,290
Artesia 12,555 $77,647
North Valley 11,474 $67,115
Lovington 11,444 $67,284
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Portales, NM?

What is the population of Portales, NM? +

Portales, NM has a population of 12,023 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Portales, NM? +

Portales households earn a median of $51,290 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Portales? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Portales; the closest available measure is the New Mexico state average, a cost of living index of 92.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Mexico vary by metro area.

Is Portales, NM safe? +

Portales has a total crime rate of 3652.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Portales, NM? +

Homes in Portales carry a median value of $132,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Portales? +

Climate normals put Portales's yearly average temperature at 60.1°F, 16.1 inches of precipitation, and 7.6 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.