Payson, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Payson, Arizona had a total population of 16,622, the 47th largest town in Arizona, with a median household income of $67,710, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Payson Quick Facts
How Payson 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 | 16,494 | 16,622 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $65,175 | $67,710 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $343,200 | $382,400 | +11.4% |
How Payson 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+)
Payson Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Gila County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globe | 7,195 | $69,170 | 16.4% | $206,700 |
| San Carlos | 4,973 | $56,302 | 40.4% | $67,200 |
| Central Heights-Midland City | 2,909 | $61,400 | 22.5% | $120,600 |
| Star Valley | 2,525 | $65,426 | 6.2% | $176,400 |
| Tonto Basin | 1,750 | $50,762 | 19.4% | $269,100 |
| Pine | 1,740 | $59,432 | 5.8% | $468,700 |
| Miami | 1,405 | $40,875 | 26.5% | $78,100 |
| Claypool | 1,259 | $57,900 | 21.8% | $118,000 |
| Canyon Day | 1,182 | $36,207 | 40.2% | $58,300 |
| Strawberry | 1,094 | $60,492 | 5.7% | $370,300 |
Cities Similar to Payson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coolidge | 16,636 | $67,023 | $255,400 | 14.0% | 19.9% |
| Fort Mohave | 15,715 | $64,815 | $294,300 | 10.8% | 11.8% |
| Eloy | 17,433 | $55,736 | $255,300 | 12.9% | 23.2% |
| Somerton | 14,574 | $74,015 | $232,600 | 12.4% | 13.9% |
| Sun Lakes | 13,924 | $67,853 | $455,200 | 39.4% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Payson is a small city located in Arizona, within Gila County. The total population is 16,622. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Payson is 60.9 years. This is 56% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 18.3% 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 Payson is $67,710. This is 15% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $382,400. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Payson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (82.2% vs 52.6%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.3%) is well below the state average of 31.4%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.5%.
Education
24.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Payson, 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 Payson, Arizona?
Payson, Arizona has a population of 16,622 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Payson, AZ?
The median household income in Payson is $67,710, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Payson, AZ?
The poverty rate in Payson is 11.0%. This means approximately 1,803 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Payson, Arizona?
Payson's population is 82.2% White, 0.4% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Payson, AZ?
The median home value in Payson is $382,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Payson, Arizona?
24.4% of adults (25+) in Payson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.