South Tucson, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Tucson, Arizona had a total population of 4,550, the 103rd largest city in Arizona, with a median household income of $33,598, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.6% is notably above the national average.
South Tucson Quick Facts
How South Tucson 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 | 4,601 | 4,550 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $33,734 | $33,598 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $152,300 | $167,000 | +9.7% |
How South Tucson 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+)
South Tucson Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Pima County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | 547,073 | $57,073 | 18.9% | $266,200 |
| Casas Adobes | 72,059 | $83,683 | 6.6% | $343,400 |
| Marana | 56,938 | $112,606 | 4.9% | $413,800 |
| Catalina Foothills | 52,593 | $115,304 | 4.5% | $652,000 |
| Oro Valley | 48,162 | $107,117 | 6.5% | $475,700 |
| Sahuarita | 35,862 | $104,680 | 8.6% | $364,300 |
| Drexel Heights | 27,675 | $73,508 | 14.6% | $250,100 |
| Green Valley | 22,114 | $62,063 | 7.7% | $293,500 |
| Flowing Wells | 16,559 | $39,774 | 24.0% | $41,100 |
| Vail | 16,315 | $130,904 | 4.3% | $414,600 |
Cities Similar to South Tucson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteriver | 4,545 | $37,440 | $59,500 | 4.1% | 42.2% |
| Clarkdale | 4,758 | $46,563 | $373,600 | 32.2% | 18.6% |
| Summit | 4,896 | $47,064 | $150,400 | 5.5% | 31.8% |
| Bisbee | 4,977 | $47,613 | $216,700 | 30.8% | 15.2% |
| Avenue B and C | 4,001 | $44,240 | $14,700 | 3.3% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
South Tucson is a small community located in Arizona, within Pima County. The total population is 4,550. It ranks as the 103rd most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Tucson is 41.7 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Tucson is $33,598. This is 58% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.4%. This is 144% 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 10.6%. This is 108% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $167,000. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 34.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Tucson is Hispanic or Latino, making up 84.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.4%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (84.7% vs 31.4%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.5%.
Education
13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 66.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Tucson, 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 South Tucson, Arizona?
South Tucson, Arizona has a population of 4,550 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Tucson, AZ?
The median household income in South Tucson is $33,598, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Tucson, AZ?
The poverty rate in South Tucson is 30.4%. This means approximately 1,369 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Tucson, Arizona?
South Tucson's population is 8.4% White, 2.4% Black, 84.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Tucson, AZ?
The median home value in South Tucson is $167,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is South Tucson, Arizona?
13.0% of adults (25+) in South Tucson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.