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CITY · 2010 ACS

Surprise

Arizona · 117,517 residents · 110.505 sq mi
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The short version

Surprise is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $62,141. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 86,669 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $240,800.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.8
US median: 37.2
Average education
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
117,517
+281%since 2000
from 30,848 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,063 / sq mi
+281%since 2000
from 279 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.8
−20%since 2000
from 46.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
042K85K127K170K1990201020202024Surprise
2024155K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,141
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,156 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,884
+21%since 2000
from $21,451 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
37.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
7.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.347
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services10.6%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration7.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$240,800
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $122,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,203
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $663 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
59.9%
−28.4 ptssince 2000
from 88.3% in 2000
21.4% rent
Vacancy rate
16.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
33.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 34.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.9
+40%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Surprise on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.8%(22,136)
Black2.4%(744)
Hispanic / Latino23.3%(7,184)
Asian1%(321)
Other0%
Diversity Score51.6%(15,912)
2010
White, non-Hispanic71.2%(83,677)
Black4.8%(5,648)
Hispanic / Latino18.5%(21,724)
Asian2.5%(2,884)
Other2.8%(3,262)
Diversity Score56.5%(66,418)
Diversity Score
57
+10%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 20.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
91.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 85.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
34.2 min
+45%since 2000
from 23.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
34.1%
−27.3 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
9.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
16.2%
−32.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Surprise

Aurora
Pop 181,505
Joliet
Pop 152,241
Pembroke Pines
Pop 176,714
Meridian
Pop 142,988
Places similar to Surprise
Head to head

Compare Surprise to nearby cities

SURPRISE VS
Sun City West
Income$63,685+2%
Home value$377,800+57%
Population27,425−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURPRISE VS
El Mirage
Income$78,050+26%
Home value$321,900+34%
Population35,820−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURPRISE VS
Sun City
Income$54,586−12%
Home value$280,900+17%
Population37,486−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURPRISE VS
Peoria
Income$95,815+54%
Home value$463,600+93%
Population200,881+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Surprise, Arizona?

Surprise, Arizona has about 117,517 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Surprise, Arizona?

The typical household in Surprise, Arizona earns about $62,141 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Surprise, Arizona expensive?

In Surprise, Arizona, the median home is worth about $240,800, and the typical rent is about $1,203 a month.

How educated are people in Surprise, Arizona?

About 26.7% of adults age 25 and over in Surprise, Arizona hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Surprise, Arizona?

About 7.7% of people in Surprise, Arizona live below the federal poverty line.

Has Surprise, Arizona grown since 1990?

Yes, Surprise, Arizona has grown since 1990. The population has added about 110,395 residents, a change of about 1550 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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