County · Puerto Rico
Lajas Municipio, Puerto Rico
Lajas Municipio, Puerto Rico. Lajas Municipio had 22,784 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.4% since 2020, a smaller fall than Puerto Rico's (−3.1%). It holds 4 places (4 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 72079.
Lajas Municipio is one of the 6 counties of the Mayagüez, PR metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,784
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 23,334 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,035
Median household income
$19,695
±$1,928 (90% margin)
Puerto Rico: $26,297
Median home value
$107,800
±$4,483 (90% margin)
Puerto Rico: $131,500
Median gross rent
$479
±$60 (90% margin)
Puerto Rico: $578
How many people live in Lajas Municipio, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 23,334 residents in Lajas Municipio. The Census Bureau estimates 22,784 for July 1, 2025, down 2.4% since 2020, a smaller fall than Puerto Rico's (−3.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 23,035 over 60 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lajas Municipio | Puerto Rico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,035 | 3,234,309 | +200 |
| Housing units | 12,573±412 | 1,634,357 | no clear change |
Lajas Municipio's population since 2000
From 26,261 in 2000 to 22,784 in 2025: down 13.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Lajas Municipio?
Lajas Municipio holds 4 places: 4 census-designated places. The largest is Lajas zona urbana with 4,285 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lajas zona urbana | 4,471 | $20,625 |
|---|---|---|
| La PargueraGEOID 7241767 | 973 | not published |
| Palmarejo (Lajas Municipio)GEOID 7258150 | 970 | $20,794 |
| MaguayoGEOID 7248862 | 779 | $12,171 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lajas Municipio?
The median resident of Lajas Municipio is 48.5 years old; 15.0% are under 18 and 27.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 98.6%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 1.2%.
| Measure | Lajas Municipio | Puerto Rico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.5±0.7 | 44.8 | +3.5 |
| Under 18 years | 15.0% | 16.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.3% | 23.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 98.6%±0.9 pts | 99.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9%±1.9 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lajas Municipio earn?
Half of Lajas Municipio's households earn less than $19,695 a year (±$1,928), against $26,297 in Puerto Rico. In 2015-2019 the median was $17,220 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,475 after inflation. 52.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lajas Municipio | Puerto Rico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $19,695±$1,928 | $26,297 | +$2,475 |
| Mean household income | $25,934±$1,985 | $41,994 | – |
| Per capita income | $11,343±$870 | $17,981 | +$2,196 |
| People below the poverty line | 52.6%±4.9 pts | 40.5% | −10.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 67.5%±10.3 pts | 54.9% | −15.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 56.7%±4.7 pts | 47.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lajas Municipio?
Owners occupy 69.8% of Lajas Municipio's occupied homes and renters 30.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $107,800 by its owner (±$4,483). The median renter pays $479 a month including utilities, and 37.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lajas Municipio | Puerto Rico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $107,800±$4,483 | $131,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $479±$60 | $578 | −$77 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.8%±13.4 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $704±$57 | $946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.8%±4.3 pts | 67.9% | +9.8 pts |
| Housing units | 12,573±412 | 1,634,357 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.7 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.7%±2.6 pts | 68.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Lajas Municipio get to work?
87.7% of Lajas Municipio's workers drive alone and 2.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 16.5%.
| Measure | Lajas Municipio | Puerto Rico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 43.2%±3.6 pts | 46.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 16.5%±4.1 pts | 10.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 87.7%±3.8 pts | 82.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.0%±3.2 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±1.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.9%±1.6 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.9 min±2.6 | 28.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Lajas Municipio's census tracts?
Lajas Municipio is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $17,083 (Tract 8504) to $21,207 (Tract 8502).
| Tract 8501.0172079850101 | 2,203±421 | $19,244 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8501.0272079850102 | 6,545±972 | $20,646 |
| Tract 850272079850200 | 4,083±798 | $21,207 |
| Tract 850372079850300 | 4,971±864 | $20,167 |
| Tract 850472079850400 | 5,233±957 | $17,083 |
| Tract 991172079991100 | 0±15 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lajas Municipio compare with Puerto Rico's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 52nd of 78 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 32nd of 78 |
| Residents per square mile | 66th of 78 |
| Median household income | 70th of 78 |
| Median home value | 55th of 78 |
| Median gross rent | 63rd of 78 |
| Poverty rate | 11th of 78 |
| Median age | 5th of 78 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lajas Municipio are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.