Population 19,232 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lajas
Household size in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.00 | 3.07 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.90 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.03 | 2.79 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.67 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.33 | −0.53 | −0.03 |
At 2.67 people per household, Lajas sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in Puerto Rico overall, where it has 2.54 people. Household size has dropped from 3.00 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.7 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.9 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.7 | 42.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.1 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.4 | +8.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.1, Lajas is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 39.7 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the center.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.5% | 18.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.9% | 18.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 16.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.6% | 15.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Lajas: 16.6% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Lajas has a higher share of single-parent households than most Puerto Rico cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lajas
Renters in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.5% | 27.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 43.8% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.3% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 30.3% | 32.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | +4.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Lajas own their homes; 30.3% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 73.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the northwest; owners are most common in the northeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.2 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.0% | 15.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.6% | 18.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 36.2% | 22.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.4% | 19.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +3.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 28.4% of the housing in Lajas, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 3.4 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +3 | +6 |
The typical home in Lajas was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $448 | $489 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $459 | $528 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $460 | $553 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $504 | $658 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$55 | +$168 | +$606 |
Rent in Lajas runs $504 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $55 a month since 2006–10, up 12%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the southwest; the most affordable are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lajas
Bachelor's degrees in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.4% | 21.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 24.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 26.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.6% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Lajas: 23.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.2 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.4% | 67.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 60.4% | 72.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 64.3% | 76.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 74.0% | 81.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.5 pts | +13.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults in Lajas never finished high school, well above the national share: only 74.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 15.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Lajas has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Puerto Rico cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lajas
| Period | Lajas | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.8% | 16.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.7% | 18.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.0% | 16.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 10.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | −6.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Lajas runs well above the national rate: 17.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only eight of the 110 Puerto Rico cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 3.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lajas compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lajas | 2.67 | 47.1 | 16.6% | 30.3% | 28.4% | 1982 | $504 | 23.6% | 74.0% | 17.4% |
| San German | 2.64 | 47.2 | 15.0% | 39.7% | 25.7% | 1977 | $446 | 27.7% | 79.4% | 7.9% |
| Rosario | 2.68 | 48.2 | 14.3% | 29.4% | 26.5% | 1981 | $550 | 23.4% | 71.2% | 9.0% |
| Cabo Rojo | 2.52 | 46.8 | 13.6% | 23.9% | 23.4% | 1987 | $662 | 30.5% | 77.5% | 13.4% |
| Sabana Grande | 2.64 | 47.0 | 13.9% | 25.1% | 28.4% | 1982 | $557 | 26.4% | 79.7% | 8.9% |
| Ensenada | 2.39 | 48.8 | 14.7% | 28.9% | 36.8% | 1982 | $464 | 16.7% | 75.3% | 23.9% |
| Boqueron | 2.36 | 47.4 | 11.6% | 30.0% | 52.0% | 1989 | $703 | 27.1% | 77.1% | 12.7% |
| Hormigueros | 2.48 | 48.5 | 11.8% | 25.9% | 21.2% | 1984 | $545 | 32.1% | 81.3% | 11.2% |
| Guanica | 2.56 | 44.1 | 16.1% | 30.2% | 34.3% | 1981 | $463 | 23.0% | 78.1% | 20.8% |
| Maricao | 2.71 | 49.6 | 12.4% | 20.4% | 32.1% | 1981 | $439 | 16.9% | 62.7% | 1.9% |
| Mayaguez | 2.34 | 44.2 | 13.2% | 52.6% | 25.9% | 1971 | $528 | 27.9% | 77.0% | 20.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Murphy, TX · Payson, AZ · Paradise Valley, AZ · Pampa, TX · Palmer, AK · Palisades Park, NJ · Oxford, AL · Newport, NC · Nevada City, CA · Muscle Shoals, AL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lajas. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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