Population 14,972 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Waddell: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Waddell
Household size in Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.26 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.21 | 2.91 | 2.84 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.53 | 2.91 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.05 | 2.80 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.21 | −0.03 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Waddell is a place of big households: 3.05 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Household size has dropped from 3.26 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.4 | 35.6 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.7 | 36.9 | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.0 | 38.3 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.9 | 39.1 | 40.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +3.5 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
Waddell is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.9, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.4, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the south.
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 Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 13.6% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 14.0% | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in ten households in Waddell (9.2%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Waddell
Renters in Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 32.8% | 32.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 37.7% | 36.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.1% | 36.6% | 35.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 33.4% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | +0.6 pts | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Waddell is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 8.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among owners, 23.2% have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.6 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 14.1% | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 14.1% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.4% | 10.8% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 8.4% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −5.6 pts | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Waddell than nationally: 5.9%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy is down 7.6 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Waddell has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Arizona cities.
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 Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2002 | 1988 | 1987 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 2001 | 1989 | 1988 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2004 | 1990 | 1989 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2010 | 1993 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Waddell is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2010, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 2002 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Only one other Arizona city with 5,000+ people has 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 Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,613 | $1,123 | $1,043 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,264 | $1,158 | $1,078 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,733 | $1,342 | $1,227 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,501 | $1,927 | $1,736 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$888 | +$804 | +$694 | +$606 |
Rent in Waddell runs $2,501 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $888 a month from 2006–10, a 55% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 34.7% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other Arizona city with 5,000+ people 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 Waddell
Bachelor's degrees in Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.2% | 27.8% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.7% | 28.5% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.8% | 31.1% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.1% | 35.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Waddell have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 25.1%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has fallen 4.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.8% | 85.0% | 84.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.4% | 86.0% | 85.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.7% | 87.2% | 86.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.6% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Waddell is above the national rate: 93.6% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has edged up 0.7 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Waddell
| Period | Waddell | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.9% | 7.2% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 9.3% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 5.3% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Waddell runs below the national rate: 4.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. 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).
Waddell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waddell | 3.05 | 37.9 | 9.2% | 8.3% | 5.9% | 2010 | $2,501 | 25.1% | 93.6% | 4.1% |
| Luke Afb | 2.79 | 21.7 | 10.7% | 13.0% | 1.8% | 1998 | $2,185 | 30.1% | 99.8% | 0.1% |
| Surprise | 2.88 | 42.5 | 12.4% | 20.6% | 7.0% | 2007 | $2,214 | 30.0% | 93.5% | 4.8% |
| Litchfield Park | 3.13 | 37.9 | 10.8% | 19.2% | 6.8% | 2006 | $2,364 | 37.1% | 93.6% | 4.3% |
| El Mirage | 3.34 | 32.9 | 21.1% | 30.3% | 6.8% | 2000 | $1,864 | 14.8% | 81.1% | 5.5% |
| Youngtown | 2.64 | 42.3 | 8.6% | 35.3% | 6.3% | 1981 | $1,398 | 13.8% | 83.2% | 3.1% |
| Goodyear | 2.82 | 42.3 | 11.4% | 22.7% | 9.3% | 2006 | $2,172 | 34.4% | 94.1% | 4.1% |
| Sun City West | 1.75 | 72.2 | 1.4% | 11.7% | 13.6% | 1991 | $2,074 | 34.8% | 96.9% | 3.7% |
| Buckeye | 3.22 | 36.0 | 12.0% | 13.6% | 7.2% | 2010 | $2,148 | 24.6% | 89.8% | 5.6% |
| Sun City | 1.92 | 66.6 | 3.8% | 14.6% | 13.5% | 1980 | $1,807 | 27.2% | 94.2% | 5.5% |
| Avondale | 3.13 | 34.6 | 17.4% | 39.2% | 5.6% | 1999 | $1,929 | 22.4% | 86.2% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Sweetwater, TN · Elizabeth, CO · Ellisville, MS · Stevensville, MD · Stevensville, MI · Stony Point, NY · Storm Lake, IA · Suffield, CT · Summerville, GA · Sunbury, OH
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 Waddell. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.