| City: | Tempe, Arizona |
| County: | Maricopa County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:23:43 PM |
| Population: | 69,218 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 602 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 33.4222, -111.9439 |
| Land Area: | 13.308 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 85281 has 69,218 residents and 28,992 households (average 2.10 persons per household). The median age is 24.8 years, significantly younger than the state (38.9) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 54.6% male and 45.4% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (56.8%, lower than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (22.5%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 22.5%, which is much lower than the state average (30.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 69,218Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 70,726Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 43,341Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 5,201.2 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $59,084Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 28,992Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $364,200Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.10Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 5.44Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 55,292 | 56,005 | 55,548 | 57,507 | 59,492 | 61,382 | 62,626 | 65,283 | 66,833 | 69,197 | 66,878 | 68,623 | 70,726 |
| Decennial Census | 57,348 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 69,218 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 24.8
Male Median Age: 25.2
Female Median Age: 24.4
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,333 | 978 | 927 | 4,592 | 10,829 | 6,351 | 3,553 | 1,955 | 1,389 | 1,086 | 1,121 | 1,092 | 956 | 638 | 473 | 248 | 169 | 123 |
| Female | 1,273 | 953 | 886 | 4,298 | 9,130 | 4,416 | 2,210 | 1,487 | 1,020 | 999 | 1,016 | 963 | 875 | 612 | 467 | 336 | 206 | 258 |
| Total | 2,606 | 1,931 | 1,813 | 8,890 | 19,959 | 10,767 | 5,763 | 3,442 | 2,409 | 2,085 | 2,137 | 2,055 | 1,831 | 1,250 | 940 | 584 | 375 | 381 |
| White: | 39,292 | 51.03% |
| Black: | 4,487 | 5.83% |
| Hispanic:* | 15,596 | 20.26% |
| Asian: | 9,097 | 11.82% |
| American Indian: | 1,888 | 2.45% |
| Hawaiian: | 261 | 0.34% |
| Other: | 6,371 | 8.27% |
| Total: | 76,992 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 37,813 | 54.63% | 25.2 years |
| Females: | 31,405 | 45.37% | 24.4 years |
| Total: | 69,218 | 100% | 24.8 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 57,325 | 81.05% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 957 | 1.35% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 3,731 | 5.28% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 8,713 | 17.59% |
| Total Population: | 70,726 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 58,282 | 82.41% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 12,444 | 17.59% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $59,084, which is considerably lower than the national median ($78,538), is up $25,147 (74.1%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $20,820. Family households earn a median of $75,606 versus $51,869 for nonfamily households (a difference of $23,737). By gender, male median income is $54,955 and female is $45,957, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $8,998 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 69.2%, which is much higher than the state rate (60.5%). The unemployment rate is 6.1%, which is well above the state rate (5.1%). The largest occupation group is Management (45.3%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $33,937 | $31,902 | $30,582 | $31,600 | $31,538 | $31,921 | $32,300 | $35,682 | $38,264 | $42,545 | $49,204 | $55,572 | $59,084 |
| Median Family Income | $41,438 | $40,700 | $39,784 | $41,115 | $43,200 | $41,888 | $43,795 | $45,450 | $47,684 | $49,080 | $60,131 | $67,715 | $75,606 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $27,230 | $27,058 | $26,323 | $27,427 | $26,604 | $27,043 | $26,540 | $28,836 | $30,332 | $37,170 | $43,042 | $48,168 | $51,869 |
| Median Male Income | $35,859 | $36,690 | $36,917 | $36,292 | $37,473 | $36,970 | $37,121 | $36,495 | $40,238 | $41,119 | $44,162 | $50,389 | $54,955 |
| Median Female Income | $32,518 | $33,785 | $33,836 | $33,138 | $31,815 | $33,330 | $35,249 | $35,593 | $37,848 | $40,508 | $42,917 | $45,249 | $45,957 |
| Employed: | 41,972 | 64.76% |
| Unemployed: | 2,740 | 4.23% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 20,100 | 31.01% |
| Total: | 64,812 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 19,005 | 45.28% |
| Service: | 7,282 | 17.35% |
| Sales and Office: | 9,626 | 22.93% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 2,513 | 5.99% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 3,546 | 8.45% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 41,972 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $364,200, which is much higher than the national median ($303,400), is up $176,400 (93.93%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $149,100. The median gross rent is $1,531, which is much higher than the national median ($1,348), is up $680 (79.91%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $413. Of occupied housing, owners make up 23.82% (59.39% with a mortgage, 40.61% free-and-clear) and renters 76.18% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 12.41%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $187,800 | $174,300 | $163,700 | $157,000 | $158,900 | $169,000 | $180,500 | $194,900 | $215,100 | $239,100 | $272,500 | $333,600 | $364,200 |
| Less than $500: | 383 | 1.77% |
| $500 to $999: | 1,936 | 8.93% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 8,038 | 37.09% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 6,239 | 28.79% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 3,080 | 14.21% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 1,103 | 5.09% |
| $3,000 or more: | 709 | 3.27% |
| No Rent: | 182 | 0.84% |
| Total: | 21,670 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $851 | $857 | $848 | $874 | $878 | $930 | $994 | $1,070 | $1,118 | $1,180 | $1,289 | $1,421 | $1,531 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 4,023 | 14.14% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 2,751 | 9.67% |
| Renter Occupied: | 21,670 | 76.18% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 28,444 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 28,444 | 87.59% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 4,031 | 12.41% |
| Total Housing Units: | 32,475 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 9,804 | 30.19% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 22,042 | 67.87% |
| Other Units: | 629 | 1.94% |
| Total Housing Units: | 32,475 | 100% |
In 2023, 48.70% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is markedly above the state rate (32.60%), well above both the state and national averages. High school or higher is 90.70%, which is on par with the state rate (89.10%). The uninsured rate is 11.80%, which is well above the national rate (8.60%). Public coverage is 20.20%, which is generally lower than the state rate (38.10%). The share of people in poverty is 12.80%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), down 7.70 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 4.10 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (87.04%). College enrollment is 87.04%, which is markedly above the state rate (26.20%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 1,606 | 4.43% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,769 | 4.88% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 5,408 | 14.90% |
| Some college, no degree: | 7,278 | 20.06% |
| Associate's degree: | 2,552 | 7.03% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 11,097 | 30.58% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 6,577 | 18.12% |
| Total: | 36,287 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 32,912 | 90.70% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 17,674 | 48.71% |
| Private Insurance: | 51,247 | 69.43% |
| Public Insurance: | 14,224 | 19.27% |
| No Insurance: | 8,341 | 11.30% |
| Total: | 73,812 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 65,471 | 88.70% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 20.5% | 25.1% | 25.5% | 28.6% | 26.5% | 25.3% | 21.8% | 21.0% | 16.9% | 17.6% | 16.4% | 13.6% | 12.8% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 270 | 0.90% |
| Kindergarten: | 213 | 0.71% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 1,851 | 6.16% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,562 | 5.20% |
| College or graduate school: | 26,155 | 87.04% |
| Total: | 30,051 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 483 | 1.61% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 3,626 | 12.07% |
ZIP Code 85281 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 2,295 business establishments, employing about 95,380 people with an annual payroll of $7,108,395,000. USPS data shows 20,639 residential mailboxes and 2,009 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 20,639Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 2,009Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 21,974Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 3,983Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 13,524Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 2,295Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,872,783,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $7,108,395,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 95,380Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 85281 is located in Maricopa County, Arizona, within the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 38060) and Arizona's 4th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 4,941,206 people, about 1.40% of whom live in ZIP Code 85281. It covers 13.308 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.063 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 38060Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 4,941,206Source: Census |
| MSA: | Phoenix-Mesa, AZ MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 13.308 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.063 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 04Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 33199.45 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0473000Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Tempe city; ArizonaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 85281 is part of 2 school districts, including: Tempe School District (Grades PK thru 08) and Tempe Union High School District (Grades 9th thru 12th). There are 16 public schools and 2 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on November 1, 2025.