Ponce, PR

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2020 Population

220,601

2.44% 1-year decline

2020 Median Age

41.6

2.46% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

50.7%

0.495% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$17,827

0.814% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$95,600

0.315% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

60,560

3.35% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Ponce, PR had a population of 221k people with a median age of 41.6 and a median household income of $17,827. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Ponce, PR declined from 226,117 to 220,601, a −2.44% decrease and its median household income grew from $17,683 to $17,827, a 0.814% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Ponce, PR are White (Hispanic) (63.7%), Two+ (Hispanic) (20.3%), Other (Hispanic) (9.3%), Black or African American (Hispanic) (6.03%), and White (Non-Hispanic) (0.375%).

None of the households in Ponce, PR 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.

The largest universities in Ponce, PR are Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (1,063 degrees awarded in 2020), Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (762 degrees), and University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (429 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Ponce, PR was $95,600, and the homeownership rate was 68.7%.

Most people in Ponce, PR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Ponce, PR was 2 cars per household.

Ponce, PR borders Adjuntas, PR, Aguadilla-Isabela, PR, Coamo, PR, Jayuya, PR, San Germán, PR, San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR, and Santa Isabel, PR.

About the photo: Early Morning Ponce, PR

Photo by Heidi

Population & Diversity

In 2020, there were 3.14 times more White (Hispanic) residents (141k people) in Ponce, PR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 44.8k Two+ (Hispanic) and 20.5k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Ponce, PR

White (Hispanic)
141k ± 2.64k
Two+ (Hispanic)
44.8k ± 2.66k
Other (Hispanic)
20.5k ± 1.61k

99.5%

Hispanic Population

219k people

99.5% of the people in Ponce, PR are hispanic (219k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Ponce, PR as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Puerto Rico.

Most Common Origin

Dominican Republic
51,432 ± 5,524 people
Cuba
10,896 ± 2,558 people
Colombia
3,744 ± 1,501 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Puerto Rico was Dominican Republic, the natal country of 51,432 Puerto Rico residents, followed by Cuba with 10,896 and Colombia with 3,744.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,101 ± 294
Korea
817 ± 171
Gulf War (2001-)
646 ± 177

Ponce, PR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.57 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Ponce, PR employs 60.6k people. The largest industries in Ponce, PR are Health Care & Social Assistance (8,522 people), Educational Services (7,886 people), and Retail Trade (7,735 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($27,898), Public Administration ($25,895), and Finance & Insurance ($25,435).

Males in Puerto Rico have an average income that is 1.11 times higher than the average income of females, which is $31,123. The income inequality in Puerto Rico (measured using the Gini index) is 0.451, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

60.6k

2020 Value

± 1,848

−3.35%

1 Year decline

± 4.36%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Ponce, PR declined at a rate of −3.35%, from 62.7k employees to 60.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ponce, PR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,787 people), Sales & Related Occupations (6,957 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (5,367 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ponce, PR.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in (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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

60.6k

2020 Value

± 1,848

−3.35%

1 Year decline

± 4.36%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Ponce, PR declined at a rate of −3.35%, from 62.7k employees to 60.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ponce, PR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (8,522 people), Educational Services (7,886 people), and Retail Trade (7,735 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ponce, PR, though some of these residents may live in Ponce, PR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$16,649

Median earning men ± $402

$17,079

Median earning women ± $554

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Public Administration ($25,653), Information ($22,644), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($22,224).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Public Administration ($26,273), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($23,780), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($21,086).

Establishments by Size

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Education

In 2020, universities in Ponce, PR awarded 4,075 degrees. The student population of Ponce, PR in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 6,398 male students and 10,055 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Ponce, PR are Hispanic or Latino (4,030 and 98.9%), followed by Unknown (33 and 0.81%), White (5 and 0.123%), and Asian (2 and 0.0491%).

The largest universities in Ponce, PR by number of degrees awarded are Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (1,063 and 26.1%), Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (762 and 18.7%), and University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (429 and 10.5%).

The most popular majors in Ponce, PR are Electrician (205 and 5.03%), Registered Nursing (174 and 4.27%), and Barbering (168 and 4.12%).

The median tuition costs in Ponce, PR are $4,920 for private four year colleges, and $3,968 and $3,968 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Ponce, PR, the percentage of applicants admitted was 63.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 56.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 16,453 (38.9% men and 61.1% 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 2020 there were 16,453 students enrolled in Ponce, PR, 38.9% men and 61.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 16,325 records, of which 61.1% were women and 38.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biomedical Sciences
152 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
137 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
90 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Ponce, PR was General Biomedical Sciences with 152 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
1,063 degrees awarded
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
762 degrees awarded
University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
429 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce with 1,063 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 1,766 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Ponce, PR, which is 0.765 times less than the 2,309 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 4,030 degrees mean that there were 122 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 33 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

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($8,736) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,770) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,168) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2020, NaNN% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while NaNN% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were N/A.

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Ponce, PR was $95,600 in 2020, which is 0.416 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $95,300 to $95,600, a 0.315% increase. The homeownership rate in Ponce, PR is 68.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Ponce, PR have an average commute time of 25.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Ponce, PR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Ponce, PR is $17,827. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Ponce, PR was Guaynabo Municipio, PR with a value of $36,073, followed by Gurabo Municipio, PR and Trujillo Alto Municipio, PR, with respective values of $35,367 and $32,611.

Housing

Property

$95,600

Median Property Value 2020

±$1,265

$56,089

Median Property Taxes

±$1,228

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 Ponce, PR the largest share of households pay taxes in the None range.

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

Rent vs Own

68.7%

Homeownership

2020

74.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 68.7% of the housing units in Ponce, PR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 67.1%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Ponce, PR was Guaynabo Municipio, PR with a value of $36,073, followed by Gurabo Municipio, PR and Trujillo Alto Municipio, PR, with respective values of $35,367 and $32,611.

The following map shows all of the counties in Ponce, PR colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$17,827

Median Household Income

± $636

106k

Number of Households

± 1,818

In 2020, the median household income of the 106k households in Ponce, PR grew to $17,827 from the previous year's value of $17,683.

The following chart displays the households in Ponce, PR 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 < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Ponce, PR is from Puerto Rico.

0.451

2020 Wage GINI in Puerto Rico

0.45

2019 Wage GINI in Puerto Rico

In 2020, the income inequality in Puerto Rico was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.195% growth from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Puerto Rico was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Puerto Rico in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2018

Drove Alone (86.3%)
Carpooled (7.2%)
Walked (2.36%)

In 2018, 86.3% of workers in Ponce, PR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.2%) and those who walked to work (2.36%).

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

25.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ponce, PR have a shorter commute time (25.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.99% of the workforce in Ponce, PR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

50.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ponce, PR (110k out of 217k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Ponce, PR is Hispanic, followed by White 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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.6% of the population of Ponce, PR has health coverage, with 21.6% on employee plans, 52.9% on Medicaid, 10.5% on Medicare, 8.42% on non-group plans, and 1.2% on military or VA plans.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for . Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in , as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.4% under 18 years, 21% between 18 and 34 years, 37% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.4%

Uninsured

21.6%

Employer Coverage

52.9%

Medicaid

10.5%

Medicare

8.42%

Non-Group

1.2%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ponce, PR grew by 2.13% from 5.29% to 5.4%.

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