City profile · Arizona · Census ACS 2023

South Tucson, AZ

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

4,601
Residents
$33,734
Median income
$152,300
Median home
$1,129
Median rent (state)

South Tucson - the verdict

Nationally, South Tucson sits in the 4th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

4th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
31st
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: South Tucson, AZ

South Tucson is a small town in Arizona, home to 4,601 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $33,734 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 31.7%. Home values in South Tucson run a median of $152,300, and the median resident age is 36.1 years. Educational attainment runs 8.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 44.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 33% from five years earlier.

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,129 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Arizona run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 88.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

4,601 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arizona

Median Household Income

$33,734 /yr

Poverty 31.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.7 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arizona average

How does South Tucson compare to other US cities?

Where South Tucson sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 4% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below South Tucson's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Arizona, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

4thIncome percentile

4th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How South Tucson's home value compares nationally

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

$152,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. South Tucson $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 - South Tucson, AZ South Tucson, AZ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South Tucson, 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 South Tucson, AZ median $33,734/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%
South Tucson, 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 South Tucson, AZ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 8.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 31.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.1%

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

Population
4,601
Median Income
$33,734
Median Home Value
$152,300
Median Age
36.1
Poverty Rate
31.7%
Labor force participation
44.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
8.3%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,400 residents4,450 residents4,500 residents4,550 residents4,600 residents4,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,616 residents 4,452 residents ▼ -3.6%
South Tucson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 6
2021 11
2022 12
2023 1
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
53.6%
Carpool
24.7%
Public Transit
10.1%
Walk
4.4%
Work from Home
5.2%
Other
2.0%

Based on 1,510 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 South Tucson sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.7
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,129/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arizona

Lake Montezuma
4,615 people
Clarkdale
4,642 people
San Carlos
4,769 people
Dewey-Humboldt
4,428 people
Eagar
4,410 people
Summit
4,410 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South Tucson's 4,601 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Noyack, NY
4,601 people
Belfair, WA
4,601 people
Lexington, MO
4,602 people
Waterloo, NY
4,600 people
Cornwall, PA
4,602 people
Deer Park, WA
4,605 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Tucson's $33,734 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mansfield, LA
$33,726 median income
Griffithville, AR
$33,750 median income
Payneway, AR
$33,750 median income
Hornbrook, CA
$33,750 median income
Lemon Grove, FL
$33,750 median income
Leary, GA
$33,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South Tucson, 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 South Tucson, AZ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 32.3% 22.9% 22.8% 18.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 74.8% White 32.3% Black or African American 3.1% Asian 0.4% American Indian 22.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 22.8% Two or more races 18.6% 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 South Tucson 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
South Tucson (this city) 4,601 $33,734
Lake Montezuma 4,615 $54,081
Clarkdale 4,642 $32,607
San Carlos 4,769 $50,814
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AZ Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Tucson, AZ?

What is the population of South Tucson, AZ? +

South Tucson, AZ has a population of 4,601 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South Tucson, AZ? +

South Tucson households earn a median of $33,734 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Tucson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for South Tucson; 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 South Tucson, AZ? +

A typical home in South Tucson is worth $152,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

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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.