Portales, New Mexico Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Portales, New Mexico is 12,023 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 20th-largest city in New Mexico. The median household income is $51,290, the median home value is $132,900, and the median age is 27.7.
The population has declined 5.0% since 2010 (12,416 → 11,789).
12,023
Population
1498
People / sq mi
$51,290
Median Income
$132,900
Median Home Value
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Portales covers 8.0 sq mi of land at 1498 people per square mile.
About Portales, NM
What sets Portales apart is where people work — remote work is unusually rare here, at 2.2% versus 14.0% nationally. Portales is a city in New Mexico with a population of 12,023. It ranks #20 among cities in New Mexico by population.
Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $51,290, below the US median of $78,538. Hardship is pronounced — at 20.2%, poverty is near the top of the range for US cities, above the national 12.4%. Home prices sit near the bottom of the range at $132,900, with typical rent around $870.
Roughly 26.4% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is rare here (2.2%, below the national 14.0%), and the average commute runs about 15 minutes each way.
Portales city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Portales city had a population of 12,416 in 2010 and 11,789 in 2024, a -5.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 12,689 in 2011. Average annual growth rate: -0.36%.
11,789
Population (2024)
12,416
Population (2010)
12,689
Peak (2011)
-0.36%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 12,416 |
| 2011 | 12,689 |
| 2012 | 12,657 |
| 2013 | 12,500 |
| 2014 | 12,286 |
| 2015 | 11,980 |
| 2016 | 11,998 |
| 2017 | 11,850 |
| 2018 | 11,765 |
| 2019 | 11,610 |
| 2020 | 12,128 |
| 2021 | 12,029 |
| 2022 | 11,970 |
| 2023 | 11,923 |
| 2024 | 11,789 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 69.8% |
| Black or African American | 1.5% |
| Asian | 0.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.3% |
Economy & Income
$51,290
Median Household Income
$23,988
Per Capita Income
20.2%
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$132,900
Median Home Value
$870
Median Rent
53.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
87.9%
High School+
26.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
76.8%
Public Transit
2.2%
Work From Home
14.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
40.3%
Foreign Born
80.4%
Non-English at Home
8.0%
Veterans
19.0%
With Disability
92.6%
Health Insurance
90.5%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 32.0% |
| Public Administration | 10.9% |
| Retail Trade | 6.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 5.7% |
| Manufacturing | 5.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 5.1% |
| Construction | 4.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 3.8% |
| Information | 2.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Portales, New Mexico has a population of 12,023 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 20th-largest city in New Mexico.
The median household income in Portales, New Mexico is $51,290, with 20.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Portales, New Mexico is $132,900, with median monthly rent at $870 and a homeownership rate of 53.0%.
The median age in Portales, New Mexico is 27.7 years. The population is 48.1% male and 51.9% female.
The population has declined 5.0% since 2010 (12,416 → 11,789).
Where to stay in Portales
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.