Cottonwood city, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Cottonwood city is a small city located in Arizona. The total population is 12,547. It ranks as the 63rd most populous out of 445 cities and towns in Arizona.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cottonwood city is 55.8 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 12.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.4% 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 Cottonwood city is $47,162. This is 39% lower than the state median of $76,872. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $286,000. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $358,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottonwood city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.0%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

26.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 32.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cottonwood city, Arizona is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Arizona state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 445 Census-designated places in Arizona. For official data, visit data.census.gov.