Red Mesa, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Red Mesa, Arizona had a total population of 430, the 292nd largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $70,000, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 18.8% is notably above the national average.
Red Mesa Quick Facts
How Red 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 | 470 | 430 | -8.5% |
| Median household income | $74,167 | $70,000 | -5.6% |
How Red 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 62 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Red Mesa 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 |
| Fort Defiance | 3,351 | $56,045 | 13.3% | $37,400 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Red Mesa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrioso | 427 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Valle | 436 | N/A | $325,400 | 28.8% | 39.2% |
| Wet Camp Village | 397 | N/A | $569,400 | 0.0% | 83.3% |
| Tolani Lake | 439 | $59,457 | $43,600 | 1.8% | 14.6% |
| Yuma Proving Ground | 468 | $72,712 | N/A | 83.5% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 430, Red Mesa's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Red Mesa is a small community located in Arizona, within Apache County. The total population is 430. It ranks as the 292nd most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Red Mesa is 41.5 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Red Mesa is $70,000. This is 12% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 114% 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 18.8%. This is 270% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. 19.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 71% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Red Mesa is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 5.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 31.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.3% vs 3.5%).
Education
19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Red 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 Red Mesa, Arizona?
Red Mesa, Arizona has a population of 430 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Red Mesa, AZ?
The median household income in Red Mesa is $70,000, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Red Mesa, AZ?
The poverty rate in Red Mesa is 26.7%. This means approximately 115 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Red Mesa, Arizona?
Red Mesa's population is 5.1% White, 2.6% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Red Mesa, AZ?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Red Mesa — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Red Mesa, Arizona?
19.5% of adults (25+) in Red Mesa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.