Chinle, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chinle, Arizona had a total population of 4,147, the 108th largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $53,239, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.0% is notably above the national average.
Chinle Quick Facts
How Chinle Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,395 | 4,147 | -5.6% |
| Median household income | $46,458 | $53,239 | +14.6% |
| Median home value | $38,000 | $39,200 | +3.2% |
How Chinle Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
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+)
Chinle Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Apache County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagar | 4,416 | $82,839 | 14.9% | $247,800 |
| St. Johns | 3,395 | $131,968 | 4.8% | $203,400 |
| Fort Defiance | 3,351 | $56,045 | 13.3% | $37,400 |
| Window Rock | 2,477 | $55,694 | 24.9% | $84,900 |
| Springerville | 2,008 | $49,051 | 8.5% | $202,200 |
| Lukachukai | 1,969 | $37,011 | 35.0% | $51,400 |
| Tsaile | 1,696 | $48,819 | 46.2% | $46,700 |
| St. Michaels | 1,142 | $65,556 | 13.9% | $202,500 |
| Many Farms | 876 | $32,981 | 36.9% | $56,900 |
| Teec Nos Pos | 712 | $44,688 | 33.0% | $79,700 |
Cities Similar to Chinle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinetop-Lakeside | 4,101 | $60,694 | $370,800 | 32.1% | 9.0% |
| Avenue B and C | 4,001 | $44,240 | $14,700 | 3.3% | 19.8% |
| Cordes Lakes | 3,808 | $61,708 | $220,300 | 17.8% | 10.9% |
| Heber-Overgaard | 3,621 | $58,542 | $271,200 | 14.4% | 11.8% |
| Holbrook | 4,858 | $56,502 | $163,600 | 14.6% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Chinle is a small community located in Arizona, within Apache County. The total population is 4,147. It ranks as the 108th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chinle is 35.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 31.7% of the population under 18, Chinle has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chinle is $53,239. This is 33% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.4%. This is 127% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.0%. This is 136% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $39,200. Housing costs are 90% lower than the state median of $394,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x, Chinle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 47.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chinle is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 31.4%.
Education
28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chinle, 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 Chinle, Arizona?
Chinle, Arizona has a population of 4,147 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chinle, AZ?
The median household income in Chinle is $53,239, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chinle, AZ?
The poverty rate in Chinle is 28.4%. This means approximately 1,139 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chinle, Arizona?
Chinle's population is 4.4% White, 2.5% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chinle, AZ?
The median home value in Chinle is $39,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.7x.
How educated is Chinle, Arizona?
28.5% of adults (25+) in Chinle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.