Nelson, AZ

Arizona · Metropolitan Area

Nelson is a small town in Arizona with a population of 316. Residents earn $54,115 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
316 Population 672/sq mi density
$54,115 Median Income $22,258 per capita
$98,400 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
70°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$54,115 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$98,400 home value
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,115
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $98,400
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.7%
80% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.1%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.7%
43% higher than US avg

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

People

Population316
Median Age34.1 yrs
Density672/mi²
Male / Female73% / 27%
Largest GroupWhite 27%
Veterans12.2%

Economy

B
Median Income$54,115
Per Capita$22,258
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty17.7%
County GDP$16,272M
Commute43 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$98,400
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp70°F
AQI45 (Good)
Rain11.1 in/yr
Elevation1,977 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.7%
High School+100.0%
School Score4.62

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 38%
Commute43 min
Broadband82.0%
Libraries19

Is Nelson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Nelson receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Nelson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Nelson is $54,115, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 17.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Nelson is $98,400, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Nelson enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 88°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Nelson has a population of 316 with a density of 672 people per square mile. The median age is 34.1 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (26.9%).

Population

316
Total Population
672
People / sq mi
34.1yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 73.4%
Female 26.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Nelson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only42.7%
46% below US avg
Spanish57.3%
328% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Nelson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Nelson is $54,115, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes.

Income: Nelson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,115
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,258
Avg Weekly Wage$1,118
IRS Avg AGI$66,681

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.7%
43% above 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 Rate3.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time43.4 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Nelson is $98,400, 65% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$98,400
65% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

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-Occupied100.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,956
16% below US avg
Effective Rate3.00%
In Nelson, 32.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.6% report depression. 21.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.1%
0% below US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma11.4%
COPD6.1%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity21.2%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate78.0%
Checkup Rate72.8%
Premature Death9,285/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)79
FEMA Disasters546

Safety Score

Nelson has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 88°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 88°F Jul (31°C)
Annual Average70.1°F
30% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average88°F (31°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.1 inches
71% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,977 ft (603 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density672/sq mi
Coordinates32.4298°N, 111.2649°W
County FIPS04021
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 22.1-point margin. 82.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.6%
D 38.5%

Winner: Republican by 22.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.7%
80% below US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score4.62
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density672/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.0%
Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities620
Restaurants424
Retail Stores539

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)79
FEMA Disaster Declarations546

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute43.4 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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