City · Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, city, in Maricopa County, Arizona. Tempe had 190,571 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 180,587 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 188,065 (±51). GEOID 0473000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
190,571
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 180,587 · ACS 2020-2024: 188,065 ±51
Median household income
$79,663
±$2,503 (90% margin)
Arizona: $79,964
Median home value
$455,400
±$9,893 (90% margin)
Arizona: $394,500
Median gross rent
$1,743
±$26 (90% margin)
Arizona: $1,543
Where is Tempe and what county is it in?
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona. It covers 40.0 square miles of land, 4,517 residents per square mile in 2020.
Tempe is in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Tempe, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 190,571 people lived in Tempe on July 1, 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, slower than Arizona (+6.5%). The 2020 Census counted 180,587 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 188,065 (±51).
| Measure | Tempe | Maricopa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 188,065 ±51 | 4,559,748 | +611 |
| Households | 78,279 ±1,460 | 1,730,696 | +5,247 |
| Average household size | 2.27 ±0.04 | 2.59 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 86,182 ±1,525 | 1,884,334 | +5,131 |
Tempe's population since 2000
From 158,625 in 2000 to 190,571 in 2025: up 20.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Tempe as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Tempe?
The median resident of Tempe is 30.0 years old; 14.1% are under 18 and 11.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 23.1%. 14.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Tempe | Maricopa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.0 ±0.5 | 37.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 14.1% ±0.8 pts | 22.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.1% ±0.6 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 52.8% ±1.1 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 23.1% ±1.4 pts | 31.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.0% ±1.5 pts | 52.5% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.9% ±1.1 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 9.7% ±0.9 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.3% ±0.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.4% ±0.9 pts | 14.5% | −1.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.3% ±1.4 pts | 26.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.5% ±0.5 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5% ±0.7 pts | 12.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.9% ±1.0 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.8% ±0.8 pts | 89.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 50.0% ±1.5 pts | 36.7% | +3.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.0% ±1.2 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 74.4% ±1.4 pts | 85.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.5% ±0.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Tempe earn?
Half of Tempe's 78,279 households earn less than $79,663 a year (±$2,503), against $89,300 in Maricopa County and $79,964 in Arizona. In 2015-2019 the median was $71,373 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,290 after inflation. 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Tempe | Maricopa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,663 ±$2,503 | $89,300 | +$8,290 |
| Mean household income | $104,678 ±$3,223 | $120,016 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,493 ±$1,409 | $46,183 | +$5,415 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.8% ±1.4 pts | 11.0% | −4.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.9% ±4.4 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.1% ±0.9 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.2% ±0.4 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.0% ±0.9 pts | 93.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Tempe?
Owners occupy 42.3% of Tempe's occupied homes and renters 57.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $455,400 by its owner (±$9,893). The median renter pays $1,743 a month including utilities, and 42.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Tempe | Maricopa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $455,400 ±$9,893 | $452,800 | +$119,544 |
| Median gross rent | $1,743 ±$26 | $1,708 | +$310 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.6% ±2.9 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,828 ±$56 | $1,931 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 42.3% ±1.4 pts | 65.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 57.7% ±1.4 pts | 34.8% | – |
| Housing units | 86,182 ±1,525 | 1,884,334 | +5,131 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3% ±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.6% ±1.2 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 38.1% ±1.2 pts | 64.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.4% ±0.4 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4% ±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 12.8% ±1.2 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.4% ±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.7% ±0.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Tempe building?
Builders took permits for 1,287 new housing units in Tempe in 2025 (84 in single-family houses), 6.8 per 1,000 residents against 6.8 across Arizona.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Tempe work and get to work?
59.1% of Tempe's workers drive alone and 21.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Tempe | Maricopa County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.0% ±1.2 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% ±0.7 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 59.1% ±1.7 pts | 64.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0% ±1.0 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.4% ±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 3.7% ±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.2% ±1.4 pts | 20.8% | +16.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.9 min ±0.6 | 26.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Tempe?
41 census tracts lie mostly in Tempe, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $29,031 (Tract 3191.01) to $182,250 (Tract 3199.07).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3200.01Maricopa County | 8,634 | $76,787 |
| Tract 3188Maricopa County | 8,179 | $65,208 |
| Tract 3200.07Maricopa County | 7,582 | $72,573 |
| Tract 3192.01Maricopa County | 7,471 | $72,775 |
| Tract 3194.01Maricopa County | 6,837 | $102,321 |
| Tract 8101Maricopa County | 6,667 | $169,702 |
| Tract 3191.04Maricopa County | 6,584 | $61,295 |
| Tract 3195Maricopa County | 6,446 | $103,685 |
| Tract 3189Maricopa County | 6,432 | $85,557 |
| Tract 3196Maricopa County | 5,983 | $96,875 |
| Tract 3187Maricopa County | 5,640 | $41,985 |
| Tract 3199.03Maricopa County | 5,514 | $95,991 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Tempe) · Census block assignment files
How does Tempe compare with other places in Arizona?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Tempe is the 138th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 9th-most populous of 91 in Arizona.
Tempe ranks 58th of 196 places in Arizona with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 9th | 91 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 45th | 85 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th | 210 |
| Median household income | 58th | 196 |
| Per capita income | 49th | 209 |
| Median home value | 42nd | 189 |
| Median gross rent | 30th | 168 |
| Poverty rate | 69th | 164 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21st | 175 |
| Median age | 188th | 208 |
| Owner-occupied share | 196th | 206 |
| Work from home | 40th | 119 |
| Travel time to work | 151st | 206 |
Tempe's figures with every place in Arizona (CSV)
Every place in Arizona, sortable · Compare Tempe with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Tempe?
Every figure for Tempe on this page has a coefficient of variation under 40%, the Census Bureau's threshold for a usable estimate.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Tempe are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Tempe.