Tempe, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tempe, Arizona had a total population of 188,065, the 9th largest city in Arizona, with a median household income of $79,663, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 15.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 50.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Arizona.
Tempe Quick Facts
How Tempe 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 | 186,419 | 188,065 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $79,663 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $421,900 | $455,400 | +7.9% |
How Tempe 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 62 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tempe 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 |
| Surprise | 154,948 | $96,711 | 8.6% | $435,100 |
| Goodyear | 107,645 | $103,319 | 5.3% | $471,300 |
| Buckeye | 104,923 | $99,486 | 8.0% | $419,800 |
Cities Similar to Tempe
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% |
| Surprise | 154,948 | $96,711 | $435,100 | 30.5% | 8.6% |
| Glendale | 252,833 | $73,530 | $387,500 | 24.3% | 15.1% |
| Scottsdale | 243,821 | $110,886 | $789,800 | 61.9% | 7.3% |
| Chandler | 280,136 | $108,095 | $507,800 | 47.8% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Tempe is a major urban center located in Arizona, within Maricopa County. The total population is 188,065. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tempe is 30.0 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tempe is $79,663. This is about the same as the state median of $79,964. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $455,400. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 42.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tempe is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.9% vs 4.4%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (9.7% vs 3.5%).
Education
50.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Tempe in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% higher 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 93.8%. Notably, 21.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tempe, 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 Tempe, Arizona?
Tempe, Arizona has a population of 188,065 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tempe, AZ?
The median household income in Tempe is $79,663, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tempe, AZ?
The poverty rate in Tempe is 15.8%. This means approximately 28,132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tempe, Arizona?
Tempe's population is 51.0% White, 6.9% Black, 23.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tempe, AZ?
The median home value in Tempe is $455,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is Tempe, Arizona?
50.0% of adults (25+) in Tempe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.