Cactus Forest, AZ

Arizona · Metropolitan Area

Cactus Forest is a small town in Arizona with a population of 509. Residents earn $68,854 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
509 Population 186/sq mi density
$68,854 Median Income $35,371 per capita
$141,500 Home Value
$870 Median Rent
72°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$68,854 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$141,500 home value, $870/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,854
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $141,500
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.5%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $870
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Cactus Forest Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population509
Median Age68.5 yrs
Density186/mi²
Male / Female35% / 65%
Largest GroupWhite 74%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,854
Per Capita$35,371
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$16,272M
Commute53 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$141,500
Rent$870
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp72°F
AQI45 (Good)
Rain10.0 in/yr
Elevation1,823 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.5%
High School+94.2%
School Score4.62

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 38%
Commute53 min
Libraries19

Is Cactus Forest a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cactus Forest receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Cactus Forest offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cactus Forest is $68,854, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 53 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cactus Forest is $141,500, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $870 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Cactus Forest has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 72°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 91°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Cactus Forest has a population of 509 with a density of 186 people per square mile. The median age is 68.5 years, 76% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.3%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

509
Total Population
186
People / sq mi
68.5yrs
Median Age
76% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 35.4%
Female 64.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Cactus Forest vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cactus Forest vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cactus Forest is $68,854, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 53 minutes.

Income: Cactus Forest vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,854
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,371
Avg Weekly Wage$1,118
IRS Avg AGI$66,681

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,085
County GDP$16,272M

Business (County)

Restaurants424
Healthcare620
Retail539
Manufacturing136

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,956
16% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time53.1 min
Work from Home22.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Cactus Forest is $141,500, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $870 (25% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$141,500
50% below US avg
Median List Price$474,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$474,000
$/Sq Ft$174
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$870
25% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,053
1 Bedroom$1,151
2 Bedrooms$1,419
3 Bedrooms$1,889
4 Bedrooms$2,158

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,956
16% below US avg
Effective Rate2.09%
In Cactus Forest, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.1% report depression. 22.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cactus Forest vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.4%
Physical Inactivity22.4%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Checkup Rate72.8%
Premature Death9,285/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access63.0%
Healthcare Facilities620

Crime Rates: Cactus Forest vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)79
FEMA Disasters546

Safety Score

Cactus Forest has an average annual temperature of 72°F (22°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 91°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 91°F Jul (33°C)
Annual Average72.2°F
34% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average91°F (33°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.0 inches
74% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,823 ft (556 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density186/sq mi
Coordinates32.9578°N, 111.3169°W
County FIPS04021
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 22.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.6%
D 38.5%

Winner: Republican by 22.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.5%
54% below US avg
High School+94.2%
School Test Score4.62
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density186/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities620
Restaurants424
Retail Stores539

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)79
FEMA Disaster Declarations546

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute53.1 min
Work from Home22.5%

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