Mesa, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mesa, Arizona had a total population of 511,764, the 3rd largest city in Arizona, with a median household income of $82,752, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Mesa is the 3rd largest city in Arizona with a population of 511,764.
Mesa Quick Facts
How 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 | 507,478 | 511,764 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $78,779 | $82,752 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $364,300 | $408,000 | +12.0% |
How 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 62 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mesa Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Maricopa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 1,642,323 | $81,332 | 13.7% | $420,700 |
| Gilbert | 280,262 | $122,551 | 5.3% | $575,100 |
| Chandler | 280,136 | $108,095 | 7.9% | $507,800 |
| Glendale | 252,833 | $73,530 | 15.1% | $387,500 |
| Scottsdale | 243,821 | $110,886 | 7.3% | $789,800 |
| Peoria | 196,906 | $95,815 | 8.4% | $463,600 |
| Tempe | 188,065 | $79,663 | 15.8% | $455,400 |
| Surprise | 154,948 | $96,711 | 8.6% | $435,100 |
| Goodyear | 107,645 | $103,319 | 5.3% | $471,300 |
| Buckeye | 104,923 | $99,486 | 8.0% | $419,800 |
Cities Similar to Mesa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | 547,073 | $57,073 | $266,200 | 31.1% | 18.9% |
| Chandler | 280,136 | $108,095 | $507,800 | 47.8% | 7.9% |
| Glendale | 252,833 | $73,530 | $387,500 | 24.3% | 15.1% |
| Gilbert | 280,262 | $122,551 | $575,100 | 48.2% | 5.3% |
| Scottsdale | 243,821 | $110,886 | $789,800 | 61.9% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Mesa is a major urban center located in Arizona, within Maricopa County. The total population is 511,764. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mesa is 37.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mesa is $82,752. This is 3% higher than the state median of $79,964. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $408,000. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mesa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.9%.
Education
32.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Mesa, Arizona?
Mesa, Arizona has a population of 511,764 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mesa, AZ?
The median household income in Mesa is $82,752, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mesa, AZ?
The poverty rate in Mesa is 10.3%. This means approximately 52,465 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mesa, Arizona?
Mesa's population is 60.1% White, 3.7% Black, 26.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mesa, AZ?
The median home value in Mesa is $408,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Mesa, Arizona?
32.5% of adults (25+) in Mesa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.