First Mesa, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, First Mesa, Arizona had a total population of 1,459, the 181st largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $57,889, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x.
First Mesa Quick Facts
How First Mesa 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 | 1,381 | 1,459 | +5.6% |
| Median household income | $53,173 | $57,889 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $57,100 | $48,300 | -15.4% |
How First Mesa 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+)
First Mesa Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Navajo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Low | 12,102 | $60,368 | 12.2% | $299,600 |
| Winslow | 8,773 | $58,346 | 29.8% | $167,600 |
| Snowflake | 6,444 | $76,174 | 14.0% | $271,800 |
| Kayenta | 4,927 | $58,423 | 37.7% | $37,400 |
| Holbrook | 4,858 | $56,502 | 19.8% | $163,600 |
| Whiteriver | 4,545 | $37,440 | 42.2% | $59,500 |
| Taylor | 4,183 | $90,275 | 14.3% | $307,500 |
| Pinetop-Lakeside | 4,101 | $60,694 | 9.0% | $370,800 |
| Heber-Overgaard | 3,621 | $58,542 | 11.8% | $271,200 |
| Lake of the Woods | 3,250 | $55,987 | 12.8% | $272,200 |
Cities Similar to First Mesa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 1,491 | $57,159 | $249,600 | 18.3% | 16.0% |
| Cactus Flats | 1,508 | $58,021 | $313,700 | 4.1% | 11.6% |
| Gila Bend | 1,363 | $52,254 | $116,200 | 8.7% | 12.2% |
| LeChee | 1,307 | $61,731 | $86,100 | 9.0% | 15.1% |
| Claypool | 1,259 | $57,900 | $118,000 | 9.4% | 21.8% |
Population Overview
First Mesa is a small community located in Arizona, within Navajo County. The total population is 1,459. It ranks as the 181st most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in First Mesa is 34.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 35.5% of the population under 18, First Mesa has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in First Mesa is $57,889. This is 28% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $48,300. Housing costs are 88% lower than the state median of $394,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, First Mesa is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
First Mesa is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 31.4%.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 First Mesa, 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 First Mesa, Arizona?
First Mesa, Arizona has a population of 1,459 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in First Mesa, AZ?
The median household income in First Mesa is $57,889, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in First Mesa, AZ?
The poverty rate in First Mesa is 17.3%. This means approximately 253 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of First Mesa, Arizona?
First Mesa's population is 0.8% White, 0.0% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in First Mesa, AZ?
The median home value in First Mesa is $48,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is First Mesa, Arizona?
10.5% of adults (25+) in First Mesa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.