Population 4,559,748 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Maricopa County
Household size in Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.84 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.90 | 2.84 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.91 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.78 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Maricopa County holds 2.78 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.84 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the east.
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 Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.5 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.8 | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.1 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.9 | 40.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
At 38.9, the median age in Maricopa County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is younger than in Arizona overall, where the median age is 40.4. The median age has climbed from 35.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.0% | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 12.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Maricopa County (12.9%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across Arizona. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points, as it has 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 Maricopa County
Renters in Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.7% | 32.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 38.7% | 36.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 37.8% | 35.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 34.8% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over a third of households in Maricopa County rent their homes (34.8%), the same as the national share. Among homeowners, 32.9% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged up 1.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Arizona's 15 counties, only two have 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 Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.4% | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.2 pts | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Maricopa County as nationally: 8.2%, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.2 points, as it has nationally. No other Arizona county has a lower 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 Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1987 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1988 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1989 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1993 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Maricopa County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1993, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,138 | $1,043 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,169 | $1,078 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,361 | $1,227 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,949 | $1,736 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$811 | +$694 | +$606 |
Rent in Maricopa County runs $1,949 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $811 a month since 2006–10, up 71%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 32.2% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. No other Arizona county has higher rents.
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 Maricopa County
Bachelor's degrees in Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.7% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.5% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.2% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.3% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Maricopa County (36.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in Arizona overall (33.3%). The share with a degree is up 7.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Arizona counties have a higher share of college graduates: only two of 15.
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 Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.0% | 84.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.0% | 85.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.3% | 86.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.5% | 89.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Maricopa County have finished high school as nationally: 89.5%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.5 points, 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 Maricopa County
| Period | Maricopa County | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Maricopa County is close to the national rate: 4.7% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Few Arizona counties have lower unemployment: only two of 15. Unemployment has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Maricopa County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa County | 2.78 | 38.9 | 12.9% | 34.8% | 8.2% | 1993 | $1,949 | 36.3% | 89.5% | 4.7% |
| Lincoln County | 2.03 | 51.1 | 13.4% | 23.2% | 40.3% | 1986 | $933 | 30.2% | 93.3% | 5.4% |
| Chaves County | 2.71 | 37.9 | 16.5% | 28.7% | 12.7% | 1972 | $990 | 18.8% | 80.9% | 5.1% |
| Hockley County | 2.66 | 35.3 | 14.1% | 27.8% | 14.1% | 1978 | $836 | 18.6% | 80.7% | 4.4% |
| Lubbock County | 2.52 | 34.0 | 12.4% | 44.5% | 9.3% | 1987 | $1,247 | 34.1% | 85.8% | 5.3% |
| Dickens County | 2.35 | 46.2 | 8.3% | 20.5% | 36.4% | 1963 | $753 | 18.0% | 84.7% | 9.6% |
| Knox County | 2.66 | 39.7 | 8.8% | 22.6% | 30.6% | 1967 | $509 | 13.8% | 85.3% | 1.4% |
| Baylor County | 2.28 | 47.1 | 13.4% | 33.8% | 29.7% | 1969 | $550 | 26.9% | 85.6% | 4.9% |
| Fannin County | 2.74 | 41.8 | 13.0% | 21.3% | 14.6% | 1985 | $1,064 | 20.7% | 88.2% | 5.1% |
| Delta County | 2.55 | 39.7 | 10.1% | 17.2% | 11.3% | 1977 | $1,074 | 14.7% | 89.2% | 4.5% |
| Red River County | 2.30 | 47.4 | 17.6% | 28.5% | 19.8% | 1983 | $1,122 | 15.9% | 86.8% | 2.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Orange County, CA · Los Angeles County, CA · San Diego County, CA · Harris County, TX · Miami-Dade County, FL · Honolulu County, HI · Middlesex County, NJ · Brevard County, FL · Alameda County, CA · Bristol County, MA
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 Maricopa County. 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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