Rank #31 by Population · Updated April 2026
Puerto Rico Population 2026
The population of Puerto Rico is 3,254,885 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 31st-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $25,096, the median home value is $124,600, and the median age is 44.2.
3,254,885
Population
950
People / sq mi
$25,096
Median Income
44.2
Median Age
Puerto Rico covers 3,425 sq mi of land at a density of 950.5 people per square mile.
About Puerto Rico
The poverty rate is what most separates Puerto Rico from the typical US state: 38.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Puerto Rico is a US state with a population of 3,254,885. It ranks #31 among US states by population.
Money is tight relative to the rest of US states: the median household earns just $25,096, below the US median of $78,538. Hardship is pronounced — at 38.2%, poverty is near the top of the range for US states, above the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $124,600, with typical rent around $562.
College attainment is 29.1%, below the national 35.0%. Almost everyone commutes — only 5.4% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Puerto Rico: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Age Distribution
Male: 47.3% · Female: 52.7%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 35.2% |
| Black or African American | 7.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.2% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% |
Economy & Income
$25,096
Median Household Income
$16,794
Per Capita Income
38.2%
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Unemployment Rate
$40,315
Mean Household Income
39.9%
Employment Rate
Education
80.4%
High School Graduate+
29.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Housing
$124,600
Median Home Value
$562
Median Rent
1,575,105
Total Housing Units
68.1%
Owner-Occupied
31.9%
Renter-Occupied
21.3%
Vacant
Commute
0.9%
Drive Alone
2.5%
Carpool
5.4%
Work From Home
28.2 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Puerto Rico
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan | 320,691 |
| 2 | Bayamón | 167,312 |
| 3 | Carolina | 139,051 |
| 4 | Ponce | 109,765 |
| 5 | Caguas | 72,862 |
| 6 | Guaynabo | 70,087 |
| 7 | Mayagüez | 59,427 |
| 8 | Trujillo Alto | 43,752 |
| 9 | Arecibo | 40,255 |
| 10 | Mansión del Mar comunidad | 26,540 |
| 11 | Fajardo | 25,524 |
| 12 | Cataño | 22,768 |
| 13 | Vega Baja | 22,730 |
| 14 | Guayama | 17,815 |
| 15 | Humacao | 15,893 |
| 16 | Yauco | 14,903 |
| 17 | Cayey | 14,518 |
| 18 | Candelaria comunidad | 14,319 |
| 19 | Dorado | 13,151 |
| 20 | Canóvanas | 12,662 |
Counties in Puerto Rico
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan Municipio | 338,661 | $26,981 |
| 2 | Bayamón Municipio | 183,456 | $30,729 |
| 3 | Carolina Municipio | 153,226 | $35,126 |
| 4 | Ponce Municipio | 134,676 | $18,827 |
| 5 | Caguas Municipio | 126,239 | $30,113 |
| 6 | Guaynabo Municipio | 89,503 | $46,048 |
| 7 | Arecibo Municipio | 86,875 | $23,175 |
| 8 | Toa Baja Municipio | 73,987 | $29,648 |
| 9 | Mayagüez Municipio | 71,824 | $17,963 |
| 10 | Trujillo Alto Municipio | 67,329 | $38,773 |
| 11 | Toa Alta Municipio | 66,536 | $33,349 |
| 12 | Aguadilla Municipio | 54,486 | $19,826 |
| 13 | Vega Baja Municipio | 54,058 | $23,877 |
| 14 | Humacao Municipio | 50,441 | $26,083 |
| 15 | Cabo Rojo Municipio | 46,955 | $25,720 |
| 16 | Río Grande Municipio | 46,478 | $26,745 |
| 17 | Juana Díaz Municipio | 46,276 | $23,823 |
| 18 | Isabela Municipio | 42,878 | $20,484 |
| 19 | Canóvanas Municipio | 42,037 | $27,278 |
| 20 | Cayey Municipio | 41,231 | $28,461 |
Compare Puerto Rico
Rankings for Puerto Rico
Read more about Puerto Rico
A complete guide to Puerto Rico demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Puerto Rico Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Puerto Rico
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Puerto Rico
Where to stay in Puerto Rico
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Frequently Asked Questions
Puerto Rico has a population of 3,254,885 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 31st-most populous state in the United States.
Puerto Rico's current population is 3,254,885 per the 2023 ACS. Annual growth-rate data is published by the Census Bureau Population Estimates Program — see authority links below for the latest estimates.
The median household income in Puerto Rico is $25,096, with a per capita income of $16,794. 38.2% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
35.2% of Puerto Rico's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 7.3% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 2.0% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Puerto Rico is 35.2% White, 7.3% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 2.0% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Puerto Rico is 44.2 years. The population is 47.3% male and 52.7% female.
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Puerto Rico's own trend is available in the historical chart on this page. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
States Similar to Puerto Rico
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.