San Carlos, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Carlos, Arizona had a total population of 4,973, the 96th largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $56,302, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.4%.
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 (40.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 2.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 18.1% is notably above the national average.
San Carlos Quick Facts
How San Carlos 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 | 4,769 | 4,973 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $50,814 | $56,302 | +10.8% |
| Median home value | $67,700 | $67,200 | -0.7% |
How San Carlos 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 62 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
San Carlos Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Gila County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payson | 16,622 | $67,710 | 11.0% | $382,400 |
| Globe | 7,195 | $69,170 | 16.4% | $206,700 |
| 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 San Carlos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holbrook | 4,858 | $56,502 | $163,600 | 14.6% | 19.8% |
| Kayenta | 4,927 | $58,423 | $37,400 | 18.4% | 37.7% |
| Three Points | 5,254 | $56,898 | $187,700 | 10.0% | 15.3% |
| Lake Montezuma | 4,929 | $64,455 | $285,200 | 16.4% | 9.7% |
| Bisbee | 4,977 | $47,613 | $216,700 | 30.8% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
San Carlos is a small community located in Arizona, within Gila County. The total population is 4,973. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Carlos is 28.5 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 33.2% of the population under 18, San Carlos has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Carlos is $56,302. This is 30% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.4%. This is 224% 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 18.1%. This is 257% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $67,200. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $394,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, San Carlos is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
San Carlos is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 31.4%.
Education
2.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 93% 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 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Carlos, 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.
Free data download: Get all Arizona city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of San Carlos, Arizona?
San Carlos, Arizona has a population of 4,973 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Carlos, AZ?
The median household income in San Carlos is $56,302, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Carlos, AZ?
The poverty rate in San Carlos is 40.4%. This means approximately 1,986 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Carlos, Arizona?
San Carlos's population is 0.8% White, 0.4% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Carlos, AZ?
The median home value in San Carlos is $67,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is San Carlos, Arizona?
2.3% of adults (25+) in San Carlos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.