Whetstone, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whetstone, Arizona had a total population of 2,971, the 129th largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $51,625, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Whetstone Quick Facts
How Whetstone 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 | 2,840 | 2,971 | +4.6% |
| Median household income | $51,050 | $51,625 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $200,600 | $213,900 | +6.6% |
How Whetstone 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+)
Whetstone Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Cochise County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista | 45,155 | $70,291 | 12.0% | $254,200 |
| Douglas | 15,981 | $42,019 | 27.8% | $157,700 |
| Sierra Vista Southeast | 14,330 | $75,417 | 8.0% | $258,800 |
| Benson | 5,417 | $49,346 | 12.1% | $148,900 |
| Bisbee | 4,977 | $47,613 | 15.2% | $216,700 |
| Willcox | 3,222 | $43,929 | 19.3% | $158,500 |
| Pirtleville | 1,939 | $48,589 | 30.5% | $90,200 |
| Mescal | 1,760 | $55,417 | 12.4% | $191,300 |
| Huachuca City | 1,614 | $50,625 | 20.2% | $126,300 |
| St. David | 1,098 | $53,188 | 9.1% | $154,200 |
Cities Similar to Whetstone
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Mountain Lake | 2,910 | $50,263 | $172,700 | 13.8% | 15.9% |
| Ajo | 3,107 | $53,958 | $124,400 | 26.1% | 9.9% |
| Desert Hills | 2,944 | $62,361 | $281,600 | 25.9% | 3.9% |
| Central Heights-Midland City | 2,909 | $61,400 | $120,600 | 2.2% | 22.5% |
| Lake of the Woods | 3,250 | $55,987 | $272,200 | 22.5% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Whetstone is a small community located in Arizona, within Cochise County. The total population is 2,971. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whetstone is 46.0 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whetstone is $51,625. This is 35% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.9%. This is 116% 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 8.4%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $213,900. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $394,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 78.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Whetstone is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.4%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.5%.
Education
29.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 96.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whetstone, 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 Whetstone, Arizona?
Whetstone, Arizona has a population of 2,971 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whetstone, AZ?
The median household income in Whetstone is $51,625, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whetstone, AZ?
The poverty rate in Whetstone is 26.9%. This means approximately 794 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whetstone, Arizona?
Whetstone's population is 70.7% White, 1.1% Black, 21.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whetstone, AZ?
The median home value in Whetstone is $213,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Whetstone, Arizona?
29.0% of adults (25+) in Whetstone hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.