| City: | Carolina, Puerto Rico |
| Names to Avoid: | Ext Villamar, Isla Verde, Parq De Isla Verde, URB Atlantic View, URB Biascochea, URB Cape Sea Vlg, URB La Marina, URB Los Angeles, URB Palmar Norte, URB Palmar Sur, URB Villamar, Villa La Marina |
| Counties: | Carolina County [Primary] San Juan County |
| Timezone: | Atlantic (GMT -04:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:34:50 PM |
| Population: | 14,929 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 787 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 18.4384, -66.0118 |
| Land Area: | 3.889 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 00979 has 14,929 residents and 7,703 households (average 1.94 persons per household). The median age is 50.3 years, older than the state (45.2) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.0% male and 53.0% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (94.5%) and Other / Two or More Races (22.8%, much higher than the national average of 8.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 94.5%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%), and Other / Two or More Races share is much higher than the national average (8.4%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 14,929Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 15,597Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 19,696Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3,838.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $35,521Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 7,703Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $189,100Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.94Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.06Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 16,836 | 16,247 | 16,248 | 16,157 | 15,234 | 15,019 | 15,203 | 15,897 | 16,130 | 17,022 | 17,313 | 16,890 | 15,597 |
| Decennial Census | 17,030 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 14,929 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 50.3
Male Median Age: 48.4
Female Median Age: 52.4
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 185 | 230 | 273 | 305 | 339 | 381 | 445 | 493 | 520 | 515 | 537 | 538 | 519 | 517 | 456 | 318 | 236 | 215 |
| Female | 211 | 222 | 268 | 251 | 356 | 396 | 445 | 498 | 525 | 525 | 549 | 614 | 623 | 668 | 600 | 422 | 339 | 395 |
| Total | 396 | 452 | 541 | 556 | 695 | 777 | 890 | 991 | 1,045 | 1,040 | 1,086 | 1,152 | 1,142 | 1,185 | 1,056 | 740 | 575 | 610 |
| White: | 2,820 | 13.08% |
| Black: | 1,036 | 4.81% |
| Hispanic:* | 14,115 | 65.48% |
| Asian: | 96 | 0.45% |
| American Indian: | 78 | 0.36% |
| Hawaiian: | 5 | 0.02% |
| Other: | 3,405 | 15.80% |
| Total: | 21,555 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 7,022 | 47.04% | 48.4 years |
| Females: | 7,907 | 52.96% | 52.4 years |
| Total: | 14,929 | 100% | 50.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 0 | 0% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Population: | 0 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $35,521, which is considerably lower than the national median ($78,538), is down $3,084 (8.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $820. Family households earn a median of $45,565 versus $29,771 for nonfamily households (a difference of $15,794). By gender, male median income is $35,140 and female is $30,625, which is far less than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $4,515 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 53.8%, which is markedly below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 10.5%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (48.4%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $38,605 | $39,747 | $37,906 | $38,187 | $36,592 | $35,251 | $34,284 | $36,270 | $34,701 | $33,087 | $33,503 | $34,705 | $35,521 |
| Median Family Income | $44,023 | $44,539 | $45,785 | $44,500 | $45,756 | $47,844 | $47,500 | $48,268 | $47,639 | $44,240 | $43,284 | $47,610 | $45,565 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $32,717 | $32,342 | $27,681 | $29,601 | $28,017 | $25,033 | $27,083 | $28,441 | $27,249 | $26,407 | $26,757 | $28,362 | $29,771 |
| Median Male Income | $35,475 | $38,923 | $38,771 | $38,737 | $40,821 | $36,322 | $35,283 | $36,318 | $35,659 | $34,464 | $34,367 | $35,043 | $35,140 |
| Median Female Income | $28,516 | $30,477 | $30,156 | $30,124 | $30,357 | $30,000 | $30,042 | $30,891 | $31,376 | $30,138 | $32,083 | $30,313 | $30,625 |
| Employed: | 6,842 | 47.82% |
| Unemployed: | 806 | 5.63% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 6,659 | 46.54% |
| Total: | 14,307 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 3,314 | 48.44% |
| Service: | 938 | 13.71% |
| Sales and Office: | 1,846 | 26.98% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 289 | 4.22% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 455 | 6.65% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 6,842 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $189,100, which is much higher than the state median ($124,600), is down $26,200 (12.17%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $18,500. The median gross rent is $990, which is far above the state median ($562), is up $255 (34.69%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $120. Of occupied housing, owners make up 64.97% (42.92% with a mortgage, 57.08% free-and-clear) and renters 35.03% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 32.45%, which is markedly above the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $215,300 | $214,300 | $199,900 | $187,600 | $186,000 | $181,600 | $172,000 | $171,100 | $170,600 | $167,500 | $162,800 | $187,000 | $189,100 |
| Less than $500: | 245 | 8.53% |
| $500 to $999: | 1,014 | 35.29% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 534 | 18.59% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 372 | 12.95% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 165 | 5.74% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 33 | 1.15% |
| $3,000 or more: | 116 | 4.04% |
| No Rent: | 394 | 13.71% |
| Total: | 2,873 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $735 | $782 | $758 | $787 | $776 | $773 | $799 | $876 | $870 | $917 | $950 | $976 | $990 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 2,287 | 27.89% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 3,041 | 37.08% |
| Renter Occupied: | 2,873 | 35.03% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 8,201 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 8,201 | 67.55% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 3,939 | 32.45% |
| Total Housing Units: | 12,140 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 3,476 | 28.63% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 8,638 | 71.15% |
| Other Units: | 26 | 0.21% |
| Total Housing Units: | 12,140 | 100% |
Insufficient data for educational attainment. The uninsured rate is 9.50%, which is markedly above the state rate (6.20%). Private coverage is 57.00%, which is notably higher than the state rate (38.50%). Public coverage is 48.50%, which is just under the state rate (62.00%). The share of people in poverty is 21.00%, which is markedly below the state rate (38.20%), up 6.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 5.20 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0% |
| Some college, no degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 0 | 0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0% |
| Private Insurance: | 8,861 | 49.57% |
| Public Insurance: | 7,541 | 42.19% |
| No Insurance: | 1,473 | 8.24% |
| Total: | 17,875 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 16,402 | 91.76% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 15.0% | 13.4% | 14.9% | 16.4% | 14.8% | 15.2% | 15.6% | 13.8% | 15.8% | 17.2% | 17.8% | 19.0% | 21.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
Business demographic information for ZIP Code 00979 is not available at this time. USPS data shows 10,153 residential mailboxes and 578 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 10,153Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 578Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 10,731Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 2,273Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 7,742Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 00979 is located in Carolina County, Puerto Rico, within the San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 41980). This Metro area has a population of 2,063,795 people, about 0.72% of whom live in ZIP Code 00979. It covers 3.889 sq mi of land and a water area of 2.772 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PRSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 41980Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 2,063,795Source: Census |
| MSA: | San Juan-Caguas-Arecibo, PR CMSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 3.889 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 2.772 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | No DistrictsSource: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | San Juan-Bayamon, PR PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 7214290Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Carolina zona urbana; Puerto RicoSource: Census |
ZIP Code 00979 is in the Puerto Rico Department of Education, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 3 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 0 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.