Cottonwood, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottonwood, Arizona had a total population of 12,580, the 62nd largest city in Arizona, with a median household income of $48,448, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Cottonwood Quick Facts
How Cottonwood 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 | 12,547 | 12,580 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $47,162 | $48,448 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $286,000 | $324,100 | +13.3% |
How Cottonwood 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 62 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cottonwood Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Yavapai County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley | 49,179 | $74,569 | 11.7% | $413,200 |
| Prescott | 47,400 | $70,874 | 11.8% | $564,100 |
| Chino Valley | 13,602 | $61,237 | 11.4% | $394,700 |
| Camp Verde | 12,521 | $69,203 | 15.5% | $318,100 |
| Verde Village | 11,930 | $69,331 | 13.1% | $354,200 |
| Sedona | 9,777 | $73,738 | 14.0% | $786,800 |
| Village of Oak Creek (Big Park) | 6,356 | $80,878 | 11.9% | $741,100 |
| Williamson | 6,310 | $89,398 | 5.7% | $732,300 |
| Lake Montezuma | 4,929 | $64,455 | 9.7% | $285,200 |
| Paulden | 4,795 | $91,741 | 12.3% | $353,700 |
Cities Similar to Cottonwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Low | 12,102 | $60,368 | $299,600 | 34.9% | 12.2% |
| Camp Verde | 12,521 | $69,203 | $318,100 | 20.2% | 15.5% |
| New Kingman-Butler | 13,993 | $40,949 | $118,900 | 8.3% | 20.8% |
| Tucson Estates | 12,136 | $66,582 | $205,400 | 24.4% | 7.8% |
| Chino Valley | 13,602 | $61,237 | $394,700 | 24.1% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Cottonwood is a small city located in Arizona, within Yavapai County. The total population is 12,580. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottonwood is 54.7 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 10.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 19.4% 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 is $48,448. This is 39% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $324,100. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottonwood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.4%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.5%.
Education
27.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, Arizona?
Cottonwood, Arizona has a population of 12,580 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottonwood, AZ?
The median household income in Cottonwood is $48,448, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottonwood, AZ?
The poverty rate in Cottonwood is 18.6%. This means approximately 2,338 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottonwood, Arizona?
Cottonwood's population is 70.0% White, 0.2% Black, 23.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottonwood, AZ?
The median home value in Cottonwood is $324,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.7x.
How educated is Cottonwood, Arizona?
27.5% of adults (25+) in Cottonwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.