Signals
Vega Baja
Isabela
Opportunity
39 · Bottom 16%
vs44 · Bottom 25%
Climate
89 · Top 8%
vs100 · Top 4%
Physical resilience
34 · Bottom 27%
vs18 · Bottom 12%
Housing affordability
45 · Bottom 7%
vs38 · Bottom 3%
Access
84 · Bottom 28%
vs72 · Bottom 14%
Economic stability
13 · Bottom 1%
vs10 · Bottom 1%
Measured values
| Metric | Vega Baja | Isabela | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,756 | 11,048 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $23,353 | $21,796 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $14,675 | $16,529 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,734/sq mi | 4,220/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $119,100 | $121,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $628 | $633 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.5% | 63.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4% | 6.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.2% | 1.2% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 27.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 41.9% | 41.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 88°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 66°F | 67°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 64.5" | 64.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 26 mi | 45 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.3 min | 29.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.0 | 44.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Vega Baja
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Isabela
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Full profiles: Vega Baja, PR · Isabela, PR · How this is calculated: methodology