Population 42,155 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Vega Baja
Household size in Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.24 | 3.07 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.29 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.74 | 2.79 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.73 | −0.53 | −0.03 |
The average household in Vega Baja has 2.51 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 3.24 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the north.
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 Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 36.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.0 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.4 | 42.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.8 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.3 | +8.3 | +2.3 |
Vega Baja skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.8, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 36.5, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.5% | 18.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 18.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.9% | 16.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.5% | 15.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Vega Baja: 16.5% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. That is in line with the rest of Puerto Rico. The single-parent share is up 0.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Vega Baja
Renters in Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 27.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.1% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.2% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.5% | 32.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +10.5 pts | +4.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Vega Baja own their homes; 25.5% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. About two-thirds of owners (65.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the northwest. The renter share has risen 10.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.6% | 15.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.5% | 18.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.5% | 22.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.0% | 19.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +3.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.0% of the housing in Vega Baja, 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 edged down 0.7 points, mirroring the country.
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 Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +3 | +6 |
Homes in Vega Baja are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the east has the oldest housing.
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 Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $583 | $489 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $598 | $528 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $544 | $553 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $705 | $658 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$122 | +$168 | +$606 |
The median renter in Vega Baja pays $705 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in Puerto Rico overall ($658). Rents are up $122 a month from 2006–10, a 21% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Vega Baja
Bachelor's degrees in Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.4% | 21.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.9% | 24.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.9% | 26.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.6% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Vega Baja than nationally: 29.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.1 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the southwest.
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 Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 64.3% | 67.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 57.8% | 72.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.3% | 76.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.7% | 81.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +17.4 pts | +13.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Vega Baja never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The picture is much the same across Puerto Rico. The share with a diploma is up 17.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Vega Baja
| Period | Vega Baja | Puerto Rico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.8% | 16.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 18.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.8% | 16.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 10.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −6.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Vega Baja: 10.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Still, the rate is lower than in Puerto Rico overall (10.9%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.8 points, in line with the national trend.
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).
Vega Baja 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vega Baja | 2.51 | 44.8 | 16.5% | 25.5% | 18.0% | 1981 | $705 | 29.6% | 81.7% | 10.0% |
| La Trocha | 2.56 | 44.4 | 17.9% | 24.9% | 19.8% | 1980 | $558 | 14.6% | 68.6% | 19.6% |
| Manati | 2.58 | 47.9 | 12.2% | 17.5% | 14.7% | 1979 | $695 | 26.3% | 76.3% | 11.7% |
| Vega Alta | 2.57 | 43.5 | 15.6% | 27.6% | 19.1% | 1986 | $689 | 24.7% | 78.9% | 14.5% |
| Boquillas | 2.51 | 43.0 | 16.3% | 29.2% | 18.8% | 1979 | $621 | 26.4% | 76.6% | 14.6% |
| Dorado | 2.72 | 42.8 | 14.5% | 25.9% | 19.1% | 1986 | $1,013 | 37.7% | 85.9% | 10.5% |
| Morovis | 2.69 | 42.7 | 20.8% | 23.8% | 14.1% | 1987 | $610 | 22.5% | 79.8% | 10.2% |
| Montebello | 2.43 | 47.9 | 16.0% | 18.2% | 19.3% | 1980 | $563 | 22.1% | 74.5% | 17.2% |
| Ciales | 2.85 | 43.8 | 19.4% | 29.1% | 21.2% | 1986 | $531 | 22.5% | 76.0% | 10.8% |
| Barceloneta | 2.53 | 43.2 | 17.3% | 29.2% | 13.5% | 1985 | $565 | 23.3% | 78.2% | 10.7% |
| Corozal | 3.05 | 43.5 | 17.4% | 24.0% | 16.7% | 1979 | $519 | 20.7% | 77.0% | 7.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Stanton, CA · Freehold, NJ · Gillette, WY · Haines City, FL · Hamburg, NY · Hampton, GA · Hicksville, NY · Hudson, FL · Hutto, TX · Irwin, PA
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 Vega Baja. 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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