Nogales, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nogales, Arizona had a total population of 19,841, the 43rd largest city in Arizona, with a median household income of $43,214, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 15.7% is notably above the national average.
Nogales Quick Facts
How Nogales Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,201 | 19,841 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $36,108 | $43,214 | +19.7% |
| Median home value¹ | $147,316 | $186,300 | +26.5% |
| Median gross rent | $726 | $737 | No clear change (+1.5%) |
How Nogales Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 4.4%
- Black: 0.2%
- Hispanic: 93.4%
- Asian: 0.3%
- Other: 0.1%
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+)
- < High School: 31.6%
- HS Diploma: 28.6%
- Some College: 16.4%
- Associate's: 5.9%
- Bachelor's: 11.2%
- Graduate+: 6.5%
Nogales Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Cruz County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Rico | 22,017 | $61,348 | 16.6% | $224,100 |
| Tubac | 1,294 | $73,359 | 13.4% | $490,800 |
| Patagonia | 946 | $39,891 | 7.5% | $361,500 |
| Sonoita | 663 | $119,792 | 0.0% | $460,300 |
| Elgin | 349 | $90,231 | 1.1% | $356,800 |
| Tumacacori-Carmen | 207 | $55,417 | 18.4% | N/A |
| Kino Springs | 173 | N/A | 18.4% | $207,100 |
| Beyerville | 61 | $65,469 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Amado | 53 | N/A | 45.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Nogales
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowing Wells | 16,559 | $39,774 | $41,100 | 13.4% | 24.0% |
| Douglas | 15,981 | $42,019 | $157,700 | 12.4% | 27.8% |
| Eloy | 17,433 | $55,736 | $255,300 | 12.9% | 23.2% |
| Rio Rico | 22,017 | $61,348 | $224,100 | 22.1% | 16.6% |
| Green Valley | 22,114 | $62,063 | $293,500 | 44.0% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Nogales is a small city located in Arizona, within Santa Cruz County. The total population is 19,841. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nogales is 36.4 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nogales is $43,214. This is 46% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.0%. This is 124% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 15.7%. This is 207% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $186,300. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Nogales has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 93.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (93.4% vs 31.4%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.5%.
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 68.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nogales, 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 Nogales, Arizona?
Nogales, Arizona has a population of 19,841 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nogales, AZ?
The median household income in Nogales is $43,214, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nogales, AZ?
The poverty rate in Nogales is 28.0%. This means approximately 5,534 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nogales, Arizona?
Nogales's population is 4.4% White, 0.2% Black, 93.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nogales, AZ?
The median home value in Nogales is $186,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Nogales, Arizona?
17.6% of adults (25+) in Nogales hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.