Ponce, Puerto Rico

Pearl of the South

Ponce (PON-sai) is known as the “Pearl of the South,” the “Majestic City,” “the Lions,” and the “City of the Genip.” Its patron saint is Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The municipality is located in the southern region of Puerto Rico. It borders the municipalities of Utuado and Jayuya to the north, Adjuntas to the northwest, the Caribbean Sea to the south, Juana Díaz to the east, and Peñuelas to the west. Its territory stretches north to the Central Mountain Range and south to the Caribbean Sea.

Additionally, the city is notable for the following landmarks: Parque de Bombas (1882); the Cathedral; Teatro La Perla (partially destroyed by the 1918 earthquake and rebuilt in 1941); the Museum of Art; the Serrallés Mansion; and the Cruz del Vigía. The Indigenous Ceremonial Park in the Tibes barrio and the Caja de Muertos Lighthouse, dating back to 1880, also belong to this municipality. Regarding natural resources, Ponce features Toro Negro State Forest, El Tuque Beach, the Caja de Muertos natural reserve, and Pelícano and Blanca beaches.

Ponce is one of the most developed municipalities on the island. It has factories producing electronic machinery, electrical and communication equipment, food and pharmaceutical products, cement, and scientific instruments. It also manufactures leather goods, clothing, and fishmeal. In agriculture, coffee is the most important product, along with plantains, bananas, oranges, and grapefruits, among others. Other economic sectors include public and private services, finance, commerce, and construction.

Economy

Ponce is a municipality with a diversified economy that combines industry, commerce, agriculture, tourism, and services:

• Industry and Manufacturing: electronic machinery, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical and food products, cement, scientific instruments, clothing, and leather goods.
• Agriculture: high-altitude coffee, plantains, bananas, oranges, grapefruits, and sugarcane. It also stands out for specialized and organic agricultural production in mountainous areas.
• Tourism and Services: hotels, restaurants, cruises, museums, and cultural fairs. Ponce is one of the main tourist destinations in southern Puerto Rico.
• Commerce and Finance: the municipality hosts banks, service companies, and local businesses.
• Events and Festivals: the Calle Isabel Festival and the Patron Saint Festivities of Our Lady of Guadalupe attract visitors from across the island and abroad.

Foundation:

Ponce’s historical significance dates back to the migratory waves of pre-Columbian clans and groups (Archaic, Ingerís, pre-Taíno, and Taíno). They settled in the southwestern region of the island (from Ponce to Cabo Rojo) and established the chiefdom of Guainía. The leader of this territory was Agüeybaná, who, according to chroniclers of the time, held the highest authority on the island.

In 1493, the Genoese admiral Christopher Columbus arrived on our coasts, but the conquest of the island did not begin until 1508. It was through the southern region of Puerto Rico that Juan Ponce de León, our first Spanish governor, arrived. The city was named in his honor.

In the early years of colonization, the first Spanish families settled along the Jacaguas River in the area that today forms the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce. Later, seeking greater security, this group moved to the fertile plains along the river that the Indigenous people called Barayama (today the Portugués River). In 1670, they built a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, around which the town gradually developed. Ponce was officially recognized as a settlement in 1692.

During the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century, Ponce experienced urban growth and consolidation, overcoming natural disasters and establishing the first sugarcane mills for producing muscovado sugar, becoming a key economic center in the south. The 1882 Agricultural and Industrial Fair highlighted its progress and marked a milestone in its history.

Against the general living conditions on the island, Ponce progressed from a settlement to a village (1848) and from a village to a city (1877), establishing itself as the Alternate Capital of fin-de-siècle Puerto Rico. In the second half of the 19th century, Ponce became an economic, cultural, and intellectual hub, embracing music, theater, opera, literature, and journalism. Its population was diverse, including Creoles, Peninsulares, Black and Mulatto residents, and other European immigrants.

Location

Ponce borders Peñuelas to the west, Adjuntas to the northwest, Utuado and Jayuya to the north, and Juana Díaz to the east.

Area

278.4 km² / 116.0 mi²

Population

137,491 (Census 2020)

Population Density

596 inhabitants/km²

Demonym

Ponceños

Ponce is also known as:

La Perla del Sur (Pearl of the South)
Ciudad Señorial (Majestic City)

Additional Points of Interest:

• Ponce is home to Mercedita Airport, which connects the city with domestic flights and some international routes.
• The city has been recognized as a Cultural and Heritage Municipality for its contribution to Puerto Rico’s artistic and educational identity.
• Ponce hosts university and technical education centers, promoting intellectual and professional development in the southern region of the island.

Wards: Ponce, Puerto Rico

	Habitants
Anón	760
Bucaná	3,963
Canas	34,065
Canas Urbano	15,369
Capitanejo	717
Cerrillos	4,164
Coto Laurel	7,274
Cuarto	1,416
Guaraguao	1,017
Machuelo Abajo	13,302
Machuelo Arriba	13,727
Magueyes	6,134
Magueyes Urbano	1,332
Maragüez	754
Marueño	1,474
Monte Llano	462
Playa	11,429
Portugués	4,882
Portugués Urbano	5,886
Primero	3,550
Quebrada Limón	804
Quinto	724
Real	2,548
Sabanetas	6,420
San Antón	11,271
San Patricio	465
Segundo	11,321
Sexto	4,745
Tercero	773
Tibes	866
Vayas	1,338
Total	186,475

Note: 2023 population figures are estimates based on recent U.S. Census data and other reliable sources.

Recent Trends

Population Growth and Demographic Changes

Between 2022 and 2023, the population of Ponce grew significantly, increasing from 222,831 to 273,739 inhabitants (a 22.8% rise), driven by internal migration and the arrival of residents from the U.S. The median age is 43.8 years, and the birth rate has decreased to 1.25 children per woman.

Economy and Employment

The median household income rose from $19,867 (2022) to $20,646 (2023). Investments have been made in renewable energy, including solar projects and battery storage systems, to improve energy resilience.

Housing and Gentrification

The arrival of new residents has boosted the real estate market, raising rental prices and generating gentrification in traditional neighborhoods.

Urban Culture and Revitalization

Projects such as “Ponce es Ley” have promoted urban art and the revitalization of historic spaces, consolidating Ponce as an “open-air museum” and strengthening its cultural identity.

Topography

Ponce is geographically classified as part of the Southern Coastal Plain. To the north, it extends to the Central Mountain Range, featuring hills and low mountains that form part of this chain. Its territory combines fertile plains, urban areas, and natural reserve zones.

Hydrography

Several rivers and streams flow through the municipality, most being intermittent. The Portugués River is the most important and passes through the urban area. Historically, it caused floods, but it has now been partially canalized. It drains into the Bucaná River, and together they flow into Ponce Bay.

The Cañas River to the west collects water from the Pastillo River. The Cerrillos River, originating from the Central Mountain Range, is dammed to form Cerrillos Lake. Further downstream is the Bronce Dam. Both reservoirs are used for agricultural irrigation, domestic consumption, and drinking water supply.

On the coast, the Las Cucharas Lagoon is a saltwater wetland and protected area that provides important ecosystems for migratory birds and marine wildlife.

Climate

Ponce has a tropical semi-desert climate, one of the driest on the island. Average annual precipitation varies by region:

• Coast: ~900 mm (36 inches)
• Interior: ~1,220 mm (48 inches)
• Mountainous areas: >1,520 mm (60 inches)

Average temperatures also vary:

• Coast: 26°C (79°F)
• Interior: 24°C (76°F)
• Mountains: 22°C (72°F)

The municipality has high solar exposure and lower relative humidity compared to other areas of the island, favoring certain agricultural activities, such as citrus and coffee cultivation in highland areas.

Predominant Industries

Ponce stands out for its diversified economy:

• Commerce and Services: Shopping centers, cultural and gastronomic tourism.
• Manufacturing: Consumer products, clothing, cement, and chemical products.
• Tourism: Museums, historic buildings, and beaches.
• Agriculture: Coffee, plantains, bananas, and citrus.
• Recent Developments: Renewable energy projects (solar panels and energy storage) and ecotourism initiatives in natural areas such as Caja de Muertos Island.

Average Salary

The average income has varied over the decades. In 1998, it was $296.21 per week. According to the 2020 Census, the average household income in Ponce is approximately $20,646 annually, reflecting economic recovery post-hurricanes and growth in the services and tourism sectors.

Flag

Ponce’s flag features the traditional red and black colors with the city’s coat of arms at the center. The gold crown with five towers indicates that Ponce obtained city status by royal decree. The coat of arms is flanked by a sugarcane branch and a coffee branch, representing the main economic resources of the city in 1877 when King Alfonso XII granted city status.

Coat Of Arms:

The Ponce coat of arms is divided diagonally from the upper right to the lower left:

• Red (upper right): Symbolizes fire and strength.
• Black (lower left): Represents night, prudence, and modesty.
• On this background is a yellow lion with a black mane, walking to the left while looking to the right, positioned on a bridge representing the city’s rivers. The coat of arms is surrounded by coffee and sugarcane branches, historically important crops.

Events

• Ponce Carnival – the week before Lent
• Regional Crafts Fair – March
• Playa de Ponce Festival – May
• Danza Week – May
• Bomba Festival, San Antón – July
• Patron Saint’s Day Festival – December
• Discover Your Indigenous Roots – November
• Las Mañanitas honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe – December
• Christmas Concert – December

Places of interest

• Historic Buildings: Old Customs House, Old Casino, Old Infantry Barracks
• Nature: Toro Negro State Forest, Las Cucharas Lagoon
• City Landmarks: City Hall, Traditional Urban Center, Yacht Club, Cruceta El Vigía, Japanese Garden
• Historic Estates: Hacienda Buena Vista, Castillo Serrallés
• Monuments: Mujer, Pedro Albizu Campos
• Museums: Ponce Art Museum, Casa Paoli, History Museum, Puerto Rican Music Museum, Ponce Massacre Museum
• Religious Sites: Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Indigenous Ceremonial Center of Tibes
• Parks: Tricentennial Park, Dora Colón Clavell Park, Julio E. Monagas Park, Enrique González Park
• Boardwalks and Paseos: Antonio Arias Ventura, Atocha, La Guancha
• Plazas: Las Delicias, Plaza del Caribe, Juan Ponce de León, Plaza del Mercado Isabel II
• Beaches and Resorts: El Tuque, La Guancha, Punta Salinera, Las Salinas, Cañas, Las Cucharas, Isla de Gatas, Matilde, Chencha, Los Meros, Playa de Ponce, El Malecón
• Yacht Club: Club Náutico de Ponce, Caja de Muertos Island
• Offshore Beaches: Isla de Ratones, Isla Cardona, Pelícano Beach, Blanca Beach, Playa Larga, Playa Carrucho

Notable People from Ponce

• Alfredo M. Aguayo – Educator and writer; professor at the University of Havana, Cuba; member of the Cuban Academy of History.
• Pedro Albizu Campos – Puerto Rican nationalist leader, president of the Nationalist Party, and advocate for independence; imprisoned for his activism.
• Ruth Fernández Corrada – Internationally renowned singer, senator, and director of the Office of Cultural Affairs of La Fortaleza.
• Luis A. Ferré Aguayo – Engineer, pianist, founder of the New Progressive Party, senator (1977–1985), Senate president (1977–1981), governor of Puerto Rico (1968–1972); promoter of culture and founder of the Ponce Art Museum (1959).
• Juan Morel Campos – Composer and musician; perfected Puerto Rican danza.
• Antonio E. Paoli Marcano – Internationally famous tenor.
• Olga Albizu – Internationally recognized abstract painter.
• Rosario Ferré Ramírez de Arellano – Writer, professor, member of the Puerto Rican Academy of Language; published novels, essays, and poetry.
• Miguel Pou Becerra – Painter specializing in rural scenes.
• María Teresa Babín – Educator and essayist; notable works on Puerto Rican culture.
• Vicente Balbás Capó – Journalist and politician; defender of the Spanish regime.
• Héctor Campos Parsi – Composer and essayist on Puerto Rican music.
• Carlos E. Chardón Palacios – Scientist, essayist, public official; proposed the “Plan Chardón” (1935).
• Arístides Chavier Arévalo – Musician and composer of the modernist period.
• Federico Degetau González – Politician and writer; U.S. resident commissioner (1901–1905).
• Félix Franco Oppenheimer – Poet and prose writer.
• Julio J. Henna – Physician and political activist.
• Rafael Hernández Colón – Lawyer; secretary of justice, Senate president, governor of Puerto Rico.
• Antonio S. Luchetti – Public servant; developed Puerto Rico’s electrical service.
• Washington Llorens – Linguist, poet, and essayist.
• César Andreu Iglesias – Journalist and writer.
• Raúl Gándara Cartagena – Fire chief and author of Cuerpo de Bomberos (1951).
• Elías López Sobá – Pianist and professor.
• Elisa Tavárez – Internationally acclaimed pianist.
• Mariano Villaronga Toro – Commissioner of Public Instruction (1946).
• Emilio J. Pasarell – Writer, journalist, and poet on Puerto Rican theater.

Name	Level	Telephone	Address
ANDRÉS GRILLASCA SALAS	Elementary	(787) 842-6414	PO Box 119
ANSELMO RIVERA MATOS	Elementary	(787) 843-7938	PO Box 2000 Suite 18
CERRILLO HOYOS	Elementary	(787) 848-8793	PMB 025
DR. JOSÉ C. BARBOSA	Elementary	(787) 842-8671	PO Box 334586
HERMINIA GARCÍA	Elementary	(787) 840-6455	9 Calle E
JOSÉ GAUTIER BENÍTEZ	Elementary	(787) 844-3035	PO Box 7856
JOSÉ JULIÁN ACOSTA	Elementary	(787) 842-5175	PO Box 7856
JUAN MOREL CAMPOS	Elementary	(787) 842-5343	Calle León Final
JULIO COLLAZO	Elementary	(787) 843-7939	PO Box 2000 Suite 18
LA YUCA	Elementary	(787) 843-4776	PO Box 6805
LAS MONJITAS	Elementary	(787) 843-1212	PO Box 662
LAS RAÍCES	Elementary	(787) 842-4418	Suite 295
LIZZIE GRAHAM	Elementary	(787) 842-0255	PO Box 10756
LLANOS DEL SUR	Elementary	(787) 848-1105	PO Box 839
LUIS MUÑOZ RIVERA I	Elementary	(787) 841-6008	PO Box 2000 Suite 21
LUIS MUÑOZ RIVERA II	Elementary	(787) 843-1715	G-6 Villa Esperanza
MONTE LLANOS	Elementary	(787) 843-5910	PO Box 2000 Suite 18
PARCELAS REAL	Elementary	(787) 842-3007	Suite 295
PEDRO J. FOURNIER	Elementary	(787) 842-8974	Suite 295
RAMIRO COLÓN COLÓN	Elementary	(787) 842-0376	10 Calle Lolita Tizol
RODULFO DEL VALLE	Elementary	(787) 844-1265	Drawer 459
ROMÁN BALDORIOTY DE CASTRO	Elementary	(787) 843-2235	PO Box 336504
SANTA TERESITA	Elementary	(787) 841-4949	Calle 23 Esquina 24
SIMON MORET GALLART	Elementary	(787) 843-5154	PO Box 7856
TOMÁS CARRIÓN MADURO	Elementary	(787) 843-7280	301C Drawer 477
ABRAHAM LINCOLN	Elementary	(787) 842-0117	46 Campeche
ÁNGELA CORDERO BERNARD	Elementary	(787) 844-4020	PO Box 7496
ÁUREA E. RIVERA COLLAZO	Elementary	(787) 841-0328	PO Box 8643
CAPITANEJO	Elementary	(787) 837-6302	PO Box 566
CARMEN MEDINA ANAYA	Elementary	(787) 841-1214	PO Box 7393
CARMEN SOLÁ DE PEREIRA	Elementary	(787) 841-6411	PO Box 10685
DR. RAFAEL LÓPEZ NUSSA	Elementary	(787) 842-7170	PO Box 10577
DR. RAMÓN E. BETANCES	Elementary	(787) 844-8651	PMB 248 PO Box 7105
EUGENIO MARÍA DE HOSTOS	Elementary	(787) 844-5884	2049 Eduardo Ruberte
FERNANDO L. MALAVÉ OLIVERAS	Elementary	(787) 843-2048	PO Box 7851
FRANCISCO PARRA DUPERON	Elementary	(787) 842-5257	PO Box 7105
JAIME L. DREW	Elementary	(787) 842-7343	PO Box 7025
JOAQUÍN FERRAN	Elementary	(787) 842-0014	PO Box 7105
JOSEFINA BOYA LEÓN	Elementary	(787) 840-3770	PO Box 464
JUAN CUEVAS ABOY	Elementary	(787) 843-3895	PO Box 7571
JULIA CORDERO NEGRÓN	Elementary	(787) 843-8248	PO Box 7855
JULIO ALVARADO	Elementary	(787) 844-7048	PO Box 10091
LIBRADO NET	Elementary	(787) 842-6395	Urb. San Antonio 50 Calle
LUCY GRILLASCA	Elementary	(787) 842-4010	1615 Ave. Eduardo Ruberte
MERCEDES P SERRALLÉS	Elementary	(787) 843-6170	PO Box 566
OLIMPIO OTERO	Elementary	(787) 842-5197	440 Calle Villa Final
PARCELAS MAGUEYES	Elementary	(787) 843-4403	PO Box 7025
PARCELAS MARUEÑO	Elementary	(787) 841-5332	PO Box 7025
SEGUNDO RUIZ BELVIS	Elementary	(787) 840-3400	PO Box 30268
ANTONIO PAOLI	Intermediate	(787) 844-0615	PO Box 6960
DR. RAFAEL PUJALS	Intermediate	(787) 840-4600	PO Box 330726
ERNESTO RAMOS ANTONINI	Intermediate	(787) 843-2336	PO Box 7856
JARDINES DE PONCE	Intermediate	(787) 844-3400	LA Rambla Suite 394
JUAN SERRALLÉS (INTERMEDIA)	Intermediate	(787) 848-2005	PO Box 1073
MANUEL GONZÁLEZ PATO	Intermediate	(787) 841-7216	301 C Suite 395
DR. PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS	Intermediate	(787) 841-2548	PO Box 7393
EDUARDO NEUMANN GANDIA	Intermedia	(787) 840-0112	PO Box 7025
EUGENIO LE COMPTE	Intermediate	(787) 844-4552	PO Box 7091
HEMETERIO COLÓN	Intermediate	(787) 840-3500	21 Calle Concordia
ISMAEL MALDONADO LUGARO	Intermediate	(787) 843-2135	PO Box 263
SANTIAGO GONZÁLEZ	Intermediate	(787) 842-5028	PO Box 7025
SOR ISÓLINA FERRE	Intermediate	(787) 840-6075	PO Box 30067
INSTITUTO TECN.	PS - Institute	(787) 843-0935	PO Box 7284
FEDERICO DEGETAU Y GONZÁLEZ	Secondary	(787) 842-6178	PO Box 336217
ROSARIO LA TORRE MORALES	Secondary	(787) 843-5099	PO Box 7226
JUAN SERRALLÉS	Secondary	(787) 848-5274	PO Box 1136
JARDINES DE PONCE	High School	(787) 840-7785	PO Box 780
THOMAS ARMSTRONG TORO	High School	(787) 844-3388	PO Box 336921
BERNARDINO CORDERO BERNARD	High School	(787) 842-7091	PO Box 10478
BETHZAIDA VELÁSQUEZ	High School	(787) 284-1080	PO Box 7636
DR. ALFREDO M. AGUAYO	High School	(787) 843-1305	137 Avenida Hostos
DR. PILA	High School	(787) 840-4800	PO Box 2238
PONCE HIGH SCHOOL	High School	(787) 842-4156	PO Box 109
BELLAS ARTES DE PONCE	All Levels	(787) 259-737	20 Calle Tizol
CENTRO DE SERVICIOS EDUCATIVOS	All Levels	(787) 844-0965	PO Box 336837
JUAN MOREL CAMPOS (MÚSICA)	All Levels	(787) 842-3974	PO Box 4087
RAMÓN MARÍN	All Levels	(787) 842-1371	PO Box 10788 Suite 188

Hymn:

Author Dr. Angel Luis Rodríguez Rosado