Fort Defiance CDP, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Fort Defiance CDP is a small community located in Arizona. The total population is 3,614. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 445 cities and towns in Arizona.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fort Defiance CDP is 32.5 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Fort Defiance CDP is $56,250. This is 27% lower than the state median of $76,872. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.8%. The unemployment rate is 10.5%. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $37,800. Housing costs are 89% lower than the state median of $358,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x, Fort Defiance CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Defiance CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 53.4%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 31.0%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 92.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Fort Defiance CDP, 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.