Tonto Basin, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tonto Basin, Arizona had a total population of 1,750, the 161st largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $50,762, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Tonto Basin Quick Facts
How Tonto Basin 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 | 1,593 | 1,750 | +9.9% |
| Median household income | $50,871 | $50,762 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $253,400 | $269,100 | +6.2% |
How Tonto Basin 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+)
Tonto Basin 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 |
| San Carlos | 4,973 | $56,302 | 40.4% | $67,200 |
| Central Heights-Midland City | 2,909 | $61,400 | 22.5% | $120,600 |
| Star Valley | 2,525 | $65,426 | 6.2% | $176,400 |
| 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 Tonto Basin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mescal | 1,760 | $55,417 | $191,300 | 29.5% | 12.4% |
| Tsaile | 1,696 | $48,819 | $46,700 | 20.4% | 46.2% |
| Quartzsite | 1,877 | N/A | N/A | 23.5% | 20.0% |
| Huachuca City | 1,614 | $50,625 | $126,300 | 14.0% | 20.2% |
| Pine | 1,740 | $59,432 | $468,700 | 29.2% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Tonto Basin is a small community located in Arizona, within Gila County. The total population is 1,750. It ranks as the 161st most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tonto Basin is 61.9 years. This is 59% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 12.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 26.5% 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 Tonto Basin is $50,762. This is 37% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 56% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.5%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Tonto Basin, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $269,100. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 90.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tonto Basin has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.7% vs 52.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.3%) is well below the state average of 31.4%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tonto Basin, 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 Tonto Basin, Arizona?
Tonto Basin, Arizona has a population of 1,750 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tonto Basin, AZ?
The median household income in Tonto Basin is $50,762, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tonto Basin, AZ?
The poverty rate in Tonto Basin is 19.4%. This means approximately 340 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tonto Basin, Arizona?
Tonto Basin's population is 88.7% White, 0.0% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tonto Basin, AZ?
The median home value in Tonto Basin is $269,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Tonto Basin, Arizona?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Tonto Basin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.