Carefree, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carefree, Arizona had a total population of 3,683, the 113th largest town in Arizona, with a median household income of $147,165, which is 84% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 84% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Arizona.
- 61.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Arizona.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
Carefree Quick Facts
How Carefree Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,811 | 3,683 | -3.4% |
| Median household income | $97,413 | $147,165 | +51.1% |
| Median home value¹ | $919,339 | $1,088,100 | No clear change (+18.4%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,780 | $1,538 | No clear change (-13.6%) |
How Carefree Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 97.0%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 1.0%
- Asian: 1.5%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 62 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 1.0%
- HS Diploma: 9.6%
- Some College: 21.3%
- Associate's: 7.0%
- Bachelor's: 38.0%
- Graduate+: 23.1%
Carefree Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Maricopa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 1,642,323 | $81,332 | 13.7% | $420,700 |
| Mesa | 511,764 | $82,752 | 10.3% | $408,000 |
| Gilbert | 280,262 | $122,551 | 5.3% | $575,100 |
| Chandler | 280,136 | $108,095 | 7.9% | $507,800 |
| Glendale | 252,833 | $73,530 | 15.1% | $387,500 |
| Scottsdale | 243,821 | $110,886 | 7.3% | $789,800 |
| Peoria | 196,906 | $95,815 | 8.4% | $463,600 |
| Tempe | 188,065 | $79,663 | 15.8% | $455,400 |
| Surprise | 154,948 | $96,711 | 8.6% | $435,100 |
| Goodyear | 107,645 | $103,319 | 5.3% | $471,300 |
Cities Similar to Carefree
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns (Apache County) | 3,395 | $131,968 | $203,400 | 33.7% | 4.8% |
| Citrus Park | 5,115 | $141,026 | $722,500 | 38.7% | 8.8% |
| Clifton | 3,822 | $78,480 | $66,000 | 17.8% | 2.5% |
| Cornville | 3,618 | $72,596 | $367,100 | 38.2% | 6.7% |
| Taylor | 4,183 | $90,275 | $307,500 | 28.6% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Carefree is a small community located in Arizona, within Maricopa County. The total population is 3,683. It ranks as the 113th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carefree is 64.9 years. This is 66% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 2.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 22.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carefree is $147,165. This is 84% higher than the state median of $79,964. It is also 82% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,088,100. Housing costs are 176% higher than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 91.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carefree has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (97.0% vs 52.6%). The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 31.4%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.5%.
Education
61.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Carefree in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 33.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.0%. Notably, 23.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carefree, Arizona is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Arizona state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 441 Census-designated places in Arizona. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carefree, Arizona?
Carefree, Arizona has a population of 3,683 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carefree, AZ?
The median household income in Carefree is $147,165, which is 82% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carefree, AZ?
The poverty rate in Carefree is 11.3%. This means approximately 409 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carefree, Arizona?
Carefree's population is 97.0% White, 0.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carefree, AZ?
The median home value in Carefree is $1,088,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Carefree, Arizona?
61.0% of adults (25+) in Carefree hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.