Sanders, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sanders, Arizona had a total population of 684, the 242nd largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $31,576, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 46.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (46.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Sanders Quick Facts
How Sanders 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 | 738 | 684 | -7.3% |
| Median household income | $31,838 | $31,576 | -0.8% |
How Sanders 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+)
Sanders 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 Sanders
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanfield | 646 | N/A | $123,300 | 9.2% | 21.1% |
| Houck | 707 | $33,750 | $44,800 | 6.2% | 32.8% |
| Round Valley | 631 | N/A | $488,300 | 19.9% | 0.0% |
| St. Johns | 631 | N/A | $378,000 | 7.6% | 41.0% |
| Wittmann | 631 | N/A | $236,900 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 684, Sanders'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
Sanders is a small community located in Arizona, within Apache County. The total population is 684. It ranks as the 242nd most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sanders is 34.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 40.1% of the population under 18, Sanders has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sanders is $31,576. This is 61% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 46.1%. This is 269% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Sanders, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 33.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sanders is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 31.4%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sanders, 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 Sanders, Arizona?
Sanders, Arizona has a population of 684 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sanders, AZ?
The median household income in Sanders is $31,576, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sanders, AZ?
The poverty rate in Sanders is 46.1%. This means approximately 315 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sanders, Arizona?
Sanders's population is 5.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sanders, AZ?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Sanders — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Sanders, Arizona?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Sanders hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.