Population 7,978 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in West University
Household size in West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.59 | 2.57 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.89 | 2.61 | 2.84 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.93 | 2.56 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.26 | 2.48 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.67 | −0.09 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in West University are small: just 2.26 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 climbed from 1.59, even as the national average fell.
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 West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.3 | 38.9 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 21.8 | 39.5 | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 22.1 | 40.5 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 21.2 | 41.7 | 40.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.0 | +2.7 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
West University is young: half of its residents are under 21.2, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults in their twenties. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 23.3, even as the national median rose. West University has the youngest population of any Tucson neighborhood.
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 West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.7% | 12.2% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 2.4% | 12.7% | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 12.3% | 12.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in twelve households in West University (8.8%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 4.1 points since 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 West University
Renters in West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.8% | 35.4% | 32.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 79.9% | 38.5% | 36.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 79.4% | 37.0% | 35.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 85.8% | 34.8% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −0.7 pts | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in West University rent: 85.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.0 points, in line with the national trend. No other Tucson 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 West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 12.4% | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.7% | 13.0% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.2% | 11.5% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.8% | 9.1% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −12.4 pts | −3.2 pts | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in West University is close to the national rate: 9.8% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 12.4 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 West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1956 | 1983 | 1987 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1948 | 1984 | 1988 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1984 | 1989 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1987 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +22 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in West University was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in the Tucson area as a whole, where the median home dates to 1987. The median year built has moved up from 1956 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $606 | $960 | $1,043 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $729 | $991 | $1,078 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,010 | $1,089 | $1,227 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,228 | $1,479 | $1,736 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$623 | +$519 | +$694 | +$606 |
The median renter in West University pays $1,228 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $623 a month from 2006–10, a 103% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 39.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 West University
Bachelor's degrees in West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.8% | 29.4% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 56.7% | 29.4% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 70.7% | 32.0% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 46.0% | 36.4% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | −15.9 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
West University is highly educated: more than four in ten adults 25 and older (46.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is down 15.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. West University has a higher share of college graduates than at least four in five Tucson neighborhoods.
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 West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.5% | 86.7% | 84.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.7% | 86.9% | 85.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.7% | 87.9% | 86.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.4% | 90.3% | 89.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +3.6 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in West University: 95.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged down 1.0 points, even as the national rate rose.
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 West University
| Period | West University | Tucson area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 8.0% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 18.7% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 7.0% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.3%, unemployment in West University is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, as it has 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).
West University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West University | 2.26 | 21.2 | 8.8% | 85.8% | 9.8% | 1977 | $1,228 | 46.0% | 95.4% | 5.3% |
| Armory Park | 2.35 | 24.5 | 3.3% | 77.6% | 12.4% | 1960 | $1,351 | 54.7% | 98.2% | 10.6% |
| Rincon Heights | 1.95 | 21.5 | 4.2% | 85.3% | 6.7% | 1967 | $1,151 | 45.9% | 65.9% | 8.6% |
| North University | 2.16 | 22.8 | 13.9% | 83.3% | 12.1% | 1971 | $1,224 | 45.5% | 92.5% | 7.4% |
| Sam Hughes | 1.89 | 38.3 | 7.2% | 45.1% | 9.1% | 1953 | $1,438 | 77.7% | 98.5% | 6.1% |
| Menlo Park | 2.25 | 36.6 | 11.5% | 58.7% | 11.7% | 1974 | $1,124 | 26.2% | 87.7% | 11.2% |
| Keeling | 2.00 | 33.3 | 15.2% | 74.3% | 8.4% | 1970 | $1,028 | 30.2% | 80.9% | 6.7% |
| Hedrick Acres | 1.90 | 31.4 | 13.0% | 73.2% | 10.4% | 1979 | $1,209 | 38.1% | 89.9% | 6.2% |
| South Park | 2.65 | 30.6 | 27.9% | 47.4% | 2.8% | 1997 | $1,277 | 26.7% | 82.4% | 7.4% |
| Blenman-Elm | 1.91 | 39.5 | 8.5% | 58.7% | 12.1% | 1957 | $1,149 | 50.8% | 94.1% | 6.0% |
| Miramonte | 2.06 | 37.5 | 10.1% | 79.6% | 23.1% | 1967 | $1,250 | 44.2% | 92.2% | 12.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Eiber, Lakewood, CO · Clinton, Lincoln, NE · Comstock, Spokane, WA · Crocker, Daly City, CA · Wellswood, Tampa, FL · Downtown Durham, Durham, NC · Downtown Normal, Normal, IL · Urbanizacion Sierra Bayamon, Bayamon, PR · Uptown, Racine, WI · Yorkfield, Elmhurst, IL
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 West University. 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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