City profile · Arizona · Census ACS 2023

Glendale, AZ

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Glendale - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

250,193
Residents
$70,139
Median income
$347,000
Median home
$1,839
Median rent (state)

Glendale - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Glendale lands in the 50th percentile for household income and the 14th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
71st
percentile, home value
77th
percentile, median rent
14th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Glendale, AZ

250,193 people live in Glendale, Arizona - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $70,139 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.0%. Typical homes in Glendale are valued around $347,000, and the median resident age is 34.5 years. About 23.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,377 residential building permits were authorized in Glendale (Building Boom), up 136% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Glendale's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3159.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Arizona tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Arizona scores 100.7 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,839 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across Arizona, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 24.4 minutes, with 68.7% driving alone and 13.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

250,193 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arizona

Median Household Income

$70,139 /yr

Poverty 12.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.7 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arizona average

How does Glendale compare to other US cities?

Glendale measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 71% pricier than other cities
Median rent 77% pricier than other cities
Safety 14% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Arizona alone, Glendale ranks #51 of 61 Arizona cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Glendale against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Arizona only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Arizona-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Glendale toward the top of Arizona's cities

Among the 327 Arizona cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Glendale ranks #68 - the 79th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Glendale only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#99 of 333
70th percentile in Arizona
Median Gross Rent
#29 of 394
71st percentile in Arizona
Median Home Value
#68 of 327
79th percentile in Arizona
Poverty Rate
#165 of 393
58th percentile in Arizona
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#122 of 394
69th percentile in Arizona

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Arizona only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

50thIncome percentile
14thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 14th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Glendale's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Glendale's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 30 Avg. percentile National median
Glendale's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Glendale's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$347,000 29th percentile more affordable than 29% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Glendale $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Glendale, AZ Glendale, AZ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Glendale, AZ-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Glendale, AZ median $70,139/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Glendale, AZ's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Glendale, AZ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
250,193
Median Income
$70,139
Median Home Value
$347,000
Median Age
34.5
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Labor force participation
60.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3159.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
488.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2670.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
95
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
245,000 residents250,000 residents255,000 residents260,000 residents265,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 248,901 residents 260,572 residents ▲ +4.7%
Glendale's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,377
housing units authorized
Single-Family
800
detached homes
Multifamily
577
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 583
2020 548
2021 713
2022 1,445
2023 1,813
2024 1,377

Permit volume increased 136% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.4 minutes
Drive Alone
68.7%
Carpool
12.5%
Public Transit
1.6%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
13.1%
Other
2.8%

Based on 117,606 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Arizona - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$131
avg/month
Natural Gas
$34
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Arizona state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Arizona state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Glendale sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.7
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,839/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arizona

Scottsdale
242,169 people
Gilbert
271,118 people
Chandler
278,123 people
Peoria
194,338 people
Tempe
186,419 people
Surprise
149,519 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Glendale's 250,193 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Winston-Salem, NC
250,887 people
Chesapeake, VA
251,153 people
Irving, TX
255,036 people
Garland, TX
245,298 people
Laredo, TX
255,949 people
St. Petersburg, FL
260,646 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Glendale's $70,139 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cushing, IA
$70,139 median income
Knoxville, IA
$70,136 median income
Ventress, LA
$70,144 median income
Lexington, MO
$70,134 median income
Salisbury Center, NY
$70,132 median income
Bolivar, OH
$70,132 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Glendale, AZ Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Glendale, AZ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 54.4% 7.0% 9.8% 22.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 40.5% White 54.4% Black or African American 7.0% Asian 4.1% American Indian 1.7% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 9.8% Two or more races 22.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Glendale compares to nearby Arizona cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Glendale (this city) 250,193 $70,139
Scottsdale 242,169 $107,372
Gilbert 271,118 $121,351
Chandler 278,123 $103,691
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AZ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Glendale, AZ?

What is the population of Glendale, AZ? +

250,193 people live in Glendale, AZ according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Glendale, AZ? +

Glendale households earn a median of $70,139 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Glendale? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Glendale; the closest available measure is the Arizona state average, a cost of living index of 100.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Arizona vary by metro area.

Is Glendale, AZ safe? +

Glendale has a total crime rate of 3159.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Glendale, AZ? +

A typical home in Glendale is worth $347,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.