Population 160,446 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Surprise
Household size in Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.95 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.99 | 2.91 | 2.84 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.95 | 2.91 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.88 | 2.80 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.03 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Surprise holds 2.88 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.95 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the north.
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 Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 35.6 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.9 | 36.9 | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.9 | 38.3 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.5 | 39.1 | 40.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.9 | +3.5 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Surprise is 42.5 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 36.5, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the north.
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 Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 13.6% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 14.0% | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.6% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.4% | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Surprise as they are nationally: 12.4%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, 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 Surprise
Renters in Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 32.8% | 32.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.9% | 37.7% | 36.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.1% | 36.6% | 35.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.6% | 33.4% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +0.6 pts | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Surprise is largely a place of homeowners: only 20.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 26.9% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.2% | 14.1% | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 14.1% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.6% | 10.8% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 8.4% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −9.2 pts | −5.6 pts | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Surprise than nationally: 7.0%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across the Phoenix area. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 9.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2001 | 1988 | 1987 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 2002 | 1989 | 1988 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2003 | 1990 | 1989 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2007 | 1993 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Surprise is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2007, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 2001 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the east has the oldest housing. Of the 110 Arizona cities with 5,000+ people, only six have newer homes.
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 Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,233 | $1,123 | $1,043 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,267 | $1,158 | $1,078 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,441 | $1,342 | $1,227 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,214 | $1,927 | $1,736 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$981 | +$804 | +$694 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Surprise costs $2,214 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $981 a month since 2006–10, up 80%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.6% 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 east; the highest are in the northwest.
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 Surprise
Bachelor's degrees in Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.2% | 27.8% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 28.5% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.8% | 31.1% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.0% | 35.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Surprise (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 4.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the east.
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 Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.0% | 85.0% | 84.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.4% | 86.0% | 85.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.8% | 87.2% | 86.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.5% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Surprise is above the national rate: 93.5% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 2.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Surprise
| Period | Surprise | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 7.2% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 9.3% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 5.3% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.8%, unemployment in Surprise is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Surprise compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surprise | 2.88 | 42.5 | 12.4% | 20.6% | 7.0% | 2007 | $2,214 | 30.0% | 93.5% | 4.8% |
| Sun City West | 1.75 | 72.2 | 1.4% | 11.7% | 13.6% | 1991 | $2,074 | 34.8% | 96.9% | 3.7% |
| El Mirage | 3.34 | 32.9 | 21.1% | 30.3% | 6.8% | 2000 | $1,864 | 14.8% | 81.1% | 5.5% |
| Waddell | 3.05 | 37.9 | 9.2% | 8.3% | 5.9% | 2010 | $2,501 | 25.1% | 93.6% | 4.1% |
| Youngtown | 2.64 | 42.3 | 8.6% | 35.3% | 6.3% | 1981 | $1,398 | 13.8% | 83.2% | 3.1% |
| Luke Afb | 2.79 | 21.7 | 10.7% | 13.0% | 1.8% | 1998 | $2,185 | 30.1% | 99.8% | 0.1% |
| Sun City | 1.92 | 66.6 | 3.8% | 14.6% | 13.5% | 1980 | $1,807 | 27.2% | 94.2% | 5.5% |
| Litchfield Park | 3.13 | 37.9 | 10.8% | 19.2% | 6.8% | 2006 | $2,364 | 37.1% | 93.6% | 4.3% |
| Peoria | 2.80 | 42.0 | 10.7% | 24.7% | 6.7% | 1999 | $2,031 | 37.1% | 91.8% | 4.1% |
| Wittmann | 2.66 | 45.1 | 9.3% | 6.7% | 6.9% | 2005 | $1,394 | 20.9% | 90.2% | 2.1% |
| Glendale | 2.90 | 36.3 | 15.7% | 39.5% | 6.3% | 1986 | $1,744 | 24.7% | 85.1% | 5.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Erie, PA · Elizabeth, NJ · Elk Grove, CA · Durham, NC · Dothan, AL · Douglasville, GA · Elkhart, IN · East Los Angeles, CA · El Cajon, CA · Downey, CA
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 Surprise. 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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