Gila County, Arizona Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Gila County is located in Arizona with a total population of 53,610. It is the 11th most populous county out of 15 in Arizona.

Age Demographics

The median age in Gila County is 51.4 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 12.5% 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 Gila County is $59,089. This is 23% lower than the state median of $76,872. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $247,000. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $358,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 77.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Gila County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.8%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 89.6%.