City profile · Arizona · Census ACS 2023

Nelson, AZ

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

316
Residents
$54,115
Median income
$98,400
Median home
$1,839
Median rent (state)

Nelson - the verdict

Nationally, Nelson sits in the 26th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

26th
percentile, household income
9th
percentile, home value
77th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Nelson, AZ

Arizona's Nelson is a small town, with 316 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Nelson households earn a median of $54,115 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Typical homes in Nelson are valued around $98,400, and the median resident age is 34.1 years. 6.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 34.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,839 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Arizona run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 43.4 minutes, with 100.0% driving alone and 0.0% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

316 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arizona

Median Household Income

$54,115 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.7 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arizona average

How does Nelson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 9% pricier than other cities
Median rent 77% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Arizona-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Nelson near the bottom of Arizona's cities

Among the 393 Arizona cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Nelson ranks #310 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Nelson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#182 of 333
45th percentile in Arizona
Median Gross Rent
#29 of 394
71st percentile in Arizona
Median Home Value
#250 of 327
24th percentile in Arizona
Poverty Rate
#310 of 393
0th percentile in Arizona
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#294 of 394
25th 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.

26thIncome percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Nelson's home value compares nationally

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

$98,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 91% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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. Nelson $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 - Nelson, AZ Nelson, AZ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Nelson, 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 Nelson, AZ median $54,115/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%
Nelson, 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 Nelson, AZ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 6.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 34.8%

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

Population
316
Median Income
$54,115
Median Home Value
$98,400
Median Age
34.1
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
34.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
6.7%

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
43.4 minutes
Drive Alone
100.0%
Carpool
0.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
0.0%

Based on 57 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 Nelson 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
93.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arizona

Fort Thomas
319 people
Greasewood
313 people
Picacho
320 people
Oak Creek Canyon
321 people
Indian Wells
325 people
Jerome
329 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Nelson's 316 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Delight, AR
316 people
Grand Lake, CO
316 people
Stinesville, IN
316 people
Whiting, KS
316 people
Cyrus, MN
316 people
Hamilton, MS
316 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Nelson's $54,115 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$54,116 median income
Admire, KS
$54,118 median income
Cherokee, AL
$54,107 median income
Bonners Ferry, ID
$54,107 median income
Fairfax, MO
$54,107 median income
Myton, UT
$54,107 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Nelson, 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 Nelson, AZ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 26.9% 73.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 73.1% White 26.9% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 73.1% Two or more races 0.0% 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 Nelson 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
Nelson (this city) 316 $54,115
Fort Thomas 319 $101,083
Greasewood 313 $23,125
Picacho 320 $78,125
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AZ OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Nelson, AZ?

What is the population of Nelson, AZ? +

The population of Nelson, AZ stands at 316 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Nelson runs $54,115, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Nelson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Nelson; 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.

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

Homes in Nelson carry a median value of $98,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.