Surprise, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Surprise, Arizona had a total population of 154,948, the 10th largest city in Arizona, with a median household income of $96,711, which is 21% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Surprise Quick Facts
How Surprise 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 | 149,519 | 154,948 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $96,711 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $396,000 | $435,100 | +9.9% |
How Surprise 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+)
Surprise Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Maricopa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 1,642,323 | $81,332 | 13.7% | $420,700 |
| Mesa | 511,764 | $82,752 | 10.3% | $408,000 |
| Gilbert | 280,262 | $122,551 | 5.3% | $575,100 |
| Chandler | 280,136 | $108,095 | 7.9% | $507,800 |
| Glendale | 252,833 | $73,530 | 15.1% | $387,500 |
| Scottsdale | 243,821 | $110,886 | 7.3% | $789,800 |
| Peoria | 196,906 | $95,815 | 8.4% | $463,600 |
| Tempe | 188,065 | $79,663 | 15.8% | $455,400 |
| Goodyear | 107,645 | $103,319 | 5.3% | $471,300 |
| Buckeye | 104,923 | $99,486 | 8.0% | $419,800 |
Cities Similar to Surprise
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria | 196,906 | $95,815 | $463,600 | 36.3% | 8.4% |
| Tempe | 188,065 | $79,663 | $455,400 | 50.0% | 15.8% |
| San Tan Valley | 109,189 | $96,713 | $410,100 | 23.9% | 8.0% |
| Goodyear | 107,645 | $103,319 | $471,300 | 35.5% | 5.3% |
| Buckeye | 104,923 | $99,486 | $419,800 | 24.9% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Surprise is a major urban center located in Arizona, within Maricopa County. The total population is 154,948. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Surprise is 41.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.1% 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 Surprise is $96,711. This is 21% higher than the state median of $79,964. It is also 20% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $435,100. Housing costs are 10% higher than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Surprise is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.0%.
Education
30.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Surprise, 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 Surprise, Arizona?
Surprise, Arizona has a population of 154,948 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Surprise, AZ?
The median household income in Surprise is $96,711, which is 20% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Surprise, AZ?
The poverty rate in Surprise is 8.6%. This means approximately 13,220 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Surprise, Arizona?
Surprise's population is 65.8% White, 4.3% Black, 20.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Surprise, AZ?
The median home value in Surprise is $435,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Surprise, Arizona?
30.5% of adults (25+) in Surprise hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.