Whiteriver, Arizona Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whiteriver, Arizona had a total population of 4,545, the 104th largest community in Arizona, with a median household income of $37,440, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 42.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (42.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Whiteriver Quick Facts
How Whiteriver 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 | 4,308 | 4,545 | +5.5% |
| Median household income | $38,205 | $37,440 | -2.0% |
| Median home value | $57,000 | $59,500 | +4.4% |
How Whiteriver 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+)
Whiteriver Rankings in Arizona
Explore Arizona Rankings
Other Cities in Navajo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Low | 12,102 | $60,368 | 12.2% | $299,600 |
| Winslow | 8,773 | $58,346 | 29.8% | $167,600 |
| Snowflake | 6,444 | $76,174 | 14.0% | $271,800 |
| Kayenta | 4,927 | $58,423 | 37.7% | $37,400 |
| Holbrook | 4,858 | $56,502 | 19.8% | $163,600 |
| Taylor | 4,183 | $90,275 | 14.3% | $307,500 |
| Pinetop-Lakeside | 4,101 | $60,694 | 9.0% | $370,800 |
| Heber-Overgaard | 3,621 | $58,542 | 11.8% | $271,200 |
| Lake of the Woods | 3,250 | $55,987 | 12.8% | $272,200 |
| White Mountain Lake | 2,910 | $50,263 | 15.9% | $172,700 |
Cities Similar to Whiteriver
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Tucson | 4,550 | $33,598 | $167,000 | 13.0% | 30.4% |
| Clarkdale | 4,758 | $46,563 | $373,600 | 32.2% | 18.6% |
| Summit | 4,896 | $47,064 | $150,400 | 5.5% | 31.8% |
| Avenue B and C | 4,001 | $44,240 | $14,700 | 3.3% | 19.8% |
| Bisbee | 4,977 | $47,613 | $216,700 | 30.8% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Whiteriver is a small community located in Arizona, within Navajo County. The total population is 4,545. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 441 Census-designated places in Arizona.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whiteriver is 30.9 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 30.3% of the population under 18, Whiteriver has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whiteriver is $37,440. This is 53% lower than the state median of $79,964. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 42.2%. This is 238% 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 9.7%. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $59,500. Housing costs are 85% lower than the state median of $394,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Whiteriver is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Whiteriver is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 52.6%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 31.4%.
Education
4.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 88% 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 75.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whiteriver, 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 Whiteriver, Arizona?
Whiteriver, Arizona has a population of 4,545 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whiteriver, AZ?
The median household income in Whiteriver is $37,440, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whiteriver, AZ?
The poverty rate in Whiteriver is 42.2%. This means approximately 1,874 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whiteriver, Arizona?
Whiteriver's population is 0.9% White, 0.6% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whiteriver, AZ?
The median home value in Whiteriver is $59,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Whiteriver, Arizona?
4.1% of adults (25+) in Whiteriver hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.