85281 is an affordable, working-class neighborhood in Tempe with affordable housing options.
Population
70,726
Income Rank
Top 41%
$59K
Median Income
vs national
$364K
Home Value
vs national
$1,531
Monthly Rent
vs national
25.3 yrs
Median Age
Key metrics versus national medians
National median: $80,610
National median: $311,500
National median: $1,314
National median: 34.8%
How household incomes are distributed across brackets
This chart shows the percentage of households in each income bracket. The highlighted bar represents the bracket containing the median household income of $59,084.
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Household earnings and economic conditions
$59,084
Median Household Income
$31,883
Per Capita Income
6.1%
Unemployment Rate
Residents of 85281 earn a median household income of $59,084 per year. This is 27% below the national median of $80,610. The per capita income of $31,883 provides insight into individual earning power.
Real estate market and rental conditions in Tempe
*Estimated at 7% APR, 30-year fixed
How affordable is it to live here?
How is this calculated?
Based on the standard 4x annual income mortgage guideline used by lenders: (Median Income x 4) / Median Home Value, combined with the 28% rent-to-income ratio recommended by financial advisors. This is not financial advice.
Most middle-income families can comfortably afford to live here.
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Population breakdown by age and gender
This population pyramid shows the distribution of residents by age group and gender. The median age in 85281 is 25.3 years, which is younger than the national median of 39 years.
Age, diversity, and population breakdown
70,726
Total Population
25.3
Median Age
49%
College Educated
28,444
Households
85281 has a population of 70,726 residents in approximately 28,444 households. The median age of 25.3 years is younger than the national median of 39 years. About 49% of residents have completed higher education.
Racial and ethnic composition of the community
Diversity Index
64
Diverse
0 = Single race, 100 = Perfect diversity
Hispanic/Latino Population
24.2%
Note: Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, counted separately from race
Racial Composition
The Diversity Index measures the probability that two randomly chosen residents belong to different racial groups. With a score of 64, this is a diverse community.
Educational attainment of adults 25 and older
College Educated (Bachelor's+)
48.7%
National average: 34.8%
High School or Higher
90.7%
National average: 88.6%
Education Breakdown
Educational attainment data shows the highest level of education completed by residents 25 years and older. With 48.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, this area exceeds the national average.
Community personality and lifestyle analysis
Located in Tempe, the 85281 area is best described as a college town area.
This is an economically accessible area with below-average incomes.
The community skews young, attracting students and early-career professionals.
Educational attainment is well above average, with many college graduates.
A typical 85281 resident is a young adult in their mid-20s, renter in a competitive market, working in steady employment in service or trade industries with a college degree.
Lifestyle
Intellectually stimulating with cultural events, diverse dining, and youthful energy
Common questions about 85281 Tempe, AZ
The median household income in 85281 (Tempe, AZ) is $59,084, which is 27% below the national median of $80,610.
The median home value in 85281 is $364,200. A 20% down payment would be $72,840, with an estimated monthly mortgage of $2,040 at current rates.
The median monthly rent in 85281 is $1,531, totaling $18,372 annually. This represents 31% of the median household income.
85281 in Tempe, Arizona is an affordable, working-class neighborhood with a median age of 25.3 years. With 49% college graduates, it's a highly educated community.
The unemployment rate in 85281 is 6.1%, compared to the national rate of 4.8%. This means 93.9% of the labor force is employed.
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