Cottonwood, AZ

Arizona

Cottonwood is a small city in Arizona with a population of 12,547. Residents earn $47,162 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
12,547 Population 78,419/sq mi density
$47,162 Median Income $31,577 per capita
$286,000 Home Value $394,556 Zillow
$1,080 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$47,162 median income, 1.2% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$286,000 home value, $1,080/mo rent
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,162
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $286,000
1% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.4%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,080
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.1%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.1%
2% lower than US avg

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

People

Population12,547
Median Age55.8 yrs
Density78,419/mi²
Male / Female47% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

B+
Median Income$47,162
Per Capita$31,577
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty12.1%
County GDP$2,948M
Commute20 min

Housing

B
Home Value$286,000
Rent$1,080
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$394,556

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI45 (Good)
Rain8.8 in/yr
Elevation6,070 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.4%
High School+90.3%
School Score4.62

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 59%
Commute20 min
Broadband88.0%
EV Stations9
Libraries8

Is Cottonwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cottonwood receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Cottonwood offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cottonwood is $47,162, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 12.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cottonwood is $286,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,080 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Cottonwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 8.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Cottonwood has a population of 12,547 with a density of 78,419 people per square mile. The median age is 55.8 years, 43% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78%), with 6.9% Hispanic.

Population

12,547
Total Population
78,419
People / sq mi
55.8yrs
Median Age
43% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.5%
Female 53.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Cottonwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only23.4%
70% below US avg
Spanish76.6%
472% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Cottonwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cottonwood is $47,162, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Cottonwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,162
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,577
Avg Weekly Wage$1,092
IRS Avg AGI$46,478

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.1%
2% below US avg
Establishments (County)630
County GDP$2,948M

Business (County)

Restaurants62
Healthcare70
Retail98
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,061
41% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.7 min
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Cottonwood is $286,000, 1% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,080 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $394,556.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$286,000
1% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$394,556
Median List Price$394,990

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$394,990
$/Sq Ft$267
Homes Sold19
Sale-to-List Ratio97.5%
Price Drops24.6%
Inventory57

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,080
7% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,834

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-Occupied51.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,061
41% below US avg
Effective Rate0.72%
In Cottonwood, 41.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cottonwood vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.1%
28% above US avg
Diabetes20.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure37.4%
Asthma11.4%
COPD15.0%
Stroke7.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate61.4%
Checkup Rate69.4%
Premature Death27,851/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment3.1/10
Exercise Access17.5%
Healthcare Facilities70

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)23

Safety Score

Cottonwood has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 8.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.5°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall8.8 inches
77% below US avg
Snowfall4.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6,070 ft (1,850 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density78,419/sq mi
Coordinates36.0722°N, 109.8901°W
County FIPS04001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 19-point margin. 88.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40%
D 58.9%

Winner: Democrat by 19 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.4%
22% below US avg
High School+90.3%
School Test Score4.62
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density78,419/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.0%
EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities70
Restaurants62
Retail Stores98

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)23

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.7 min
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

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