Fort Defiance, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Defiance, Arizona had a total population of 3,351, the 121st largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $56,045, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
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 0.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
Fort Defiance Quick Facts
How Fort Defiance 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 | 3,614 | 3,351 | -7.3% |
| Median household income | $56,250 | $56,045 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $37,800 | $37,400 | -1.1% |
How Fort Defiance 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+)
Fort Defiance 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 |
| Chinle | 4,147 | $53,239 | 28.4% | $39,200 |
| St. Johns | 3,395 | $131,968 | 4.8% | $203,400 |
| 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 Fort Defiance
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake of the Woods | 3,250 | $55,987 | $272,200 | 22.5% | 12.8% |
| Sacaton | 3,429 | $49,327 | N/A | 3.8% | 29.3% |
| Ajo | 3,107 | $53,958 | $124,400 | 26.1% | 9.9% |
| Parker | 3,388 | $66,273 | $300,000 | 22.7% | 12.7% |
| Heber-Overgaard | 3,621 | $58,542 | $271,200 | 14.4% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Fort Defiance is a small community located in Arizona, within Apache County. The total population is 3,351. It ranks as the 121st most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Defiance is 32.3 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Defiance is $56,045. This is 30% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 11.2%. This is 120% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $37,400. Housing costs are 91% lower than the state median of $394,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x, Fort Defiance is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Defiance is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 31.4%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Defiance, 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 Fort Defiance, Arizona?
Fort Defiance, Arizona has a population of 3,351 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Defiance, AZ?
The median household income in Fort Defiance is $56,045, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Defiance, AZ?
The poverty rate in Fort Defiance is 13.3%. This means approximately 446 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Defiance, Arizona?
Fort Defiance's population is 2.9% White, 0.7% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Defiance, AZ?
The median home value in Fort Defiance is $37,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.7x.
How educated is Fort Defiance, Arizona?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Fort Defiance hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.