Population 77,383 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Central Phoenix
Household size in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.61 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.69 | 2.91 | 2.84 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.91 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.20 | 2.80 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.41 | −0.03 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Central Phoenix are small: just 2.20 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.61, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Phoenix neighborhood has smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.8 | 35.6 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.4 | 36.9 | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.8 | 38.3 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.0 | 39.1 | 40.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.2 | +3.5 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
Central Phoenix is young: half of its residents are under 35.0, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 30.8 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 13.6% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.6% | 14.0% | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Central Phoenix (14.7%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 4.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Central Phoenix
Renters in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.2% | 32.8% | 32.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 71.9% | 37.7% | 36.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 73.4% | 36.6% | 35.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 73.9% | 33.4% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | +0.6 pts | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Central Phoenix: 73.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 42.5% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 4.7 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Phoenix neighborhood has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 14.1% | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.0% | 14.1% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.1% | 10.8% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.5% | 8.4% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −5.6 pts | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.5% of the housing in Central Phoenix, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. No other Phoenix neighborhood has a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1988 | 1987 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1989 | 1988 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1971 | 1990 | 1989 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1993 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +17 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Central Phoenix is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. Even so, homes here are older than in the Phoenix area as a whole, where the median home dates to 1993. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the southwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $696 | $1,123 | $1,043 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $750 | $1,158 | $1,078 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $905 | $1,342 | $1,227 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,475 | $1,927 | $1,736 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$779 | +$804 | +$694 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Central Phoenix costs $1,475 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $779 a month from 2006–10, a 112% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.7% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southwest; the highest are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Central Phoenix
Bachelor's degrees in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.8% | 27.8% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.9% | 28.5% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.4% | 31.1% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.0% | 35.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.2 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Central Phoenix (30.0%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 13.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.8% | 85.0% | 84.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 66.9% | 86.0% | 85.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 73.0% | 87.2% | 86.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.8% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.9 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in Central Phoenix never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 12.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Central Phoenix
| Period | Central Phoenix | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 7.2% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 9.3% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 5.3% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Central Phoenix: 7.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of Phoenix's 19 neighborhoods, only two have higher unemployment. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Central Phoenix compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Phoenix | 2.20 | 35.0 | 14.7% | 73.9% | 15.5% | 1984 | $1,475 | 30.0% | 78.8% | 7.9% |
| Encanto | 2.07 | 37.2 | 9.6% | 58.8% | 11.2% | 1969 | $1,556 | 41.9% | 87.6% | 4.1% |
| Downtown Phoenix | 2.98 | 28.8 | 24.5% | 79.3% | 10.7% | 1982 | $1,317 | 16.4% | 66.2% | 8.4% |
| Bronze Boot | 2.35 | 36.3 | 11.1% | 60.5% | 10.0% | 1967 | $1,473 | 35.7% | 84.4% | 7.7% |
| Camelback East | 2.23 | 37.8 | 10.6% | 51.9% | 10.0% | 1975 | $1,650 | 48.3% | 89.0% | 3.6% |
| Alahambra | 3.05 | 31.8 | 24.2% | 52.4% | 10.8% | 1970 | $1,425 | 25.7% | 79.2% | 7.3% |
| South Mountain | 3.15 | 34.8 | 18.8% | 34.2% | 5.2% | 1990 | $1,629 | 23.3% | 77.1% | 5.2% |
| South Phoenix | 3.09 | 33.6 | 17.5% | 40.4% | 5.7% | 1997 | $1,799 | 27.7% | 83.0% | 4.0% |
| West Phoenix | 3.67 | 29.4 | 25.4% | 36.1% | 5.3% | 1981 | $1,425 | 8.9% | 63.4% | 6.4% |
| Sunset | 2.74 | 27.0 | 14.5% | 79.0% | 11.6% | 1983 | $1,669 | 54.2% | 92.3% | 8.7% |
| Cartwright | 3.48 | 30.8 | 26.7% | 46.3% | 3.4% | 1974 | $1,519 | 11.3% | 67.9% | 9.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Mott Haven, Bronx, NY · Far Northeast, Humble, TX · Far Rockaway, Queens, NY · Galleria-Uptown, Houston, TX · Ahwatukee, Phoenix, AZ · West, Arlington, TX · Logan Square, Chicago, IL · Soundview, Bronx, NY · Mid Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA · Millcreek, Salt Lake City, UT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Central Phoenix. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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