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CITY · 2020 ACS

Surprise

Arizona · 143,148 residents · 110.505 sq mi
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The short version

Surprise has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $71,192. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 112,300 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $258,700.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.2
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
143,148
+364%since 2000
from 30,848 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,295 / sq mi
+364%since 2000
from 279 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.2
−8%since 2000
from 46.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
042K85K127K170K1990201020202024Surprise
2024155K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,192
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,156 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,086
+45%since 2000
from $21,451 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
47.1%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services9.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 10%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$258,700
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $122,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,443
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $663 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.3%
−10.9 ptssince 2000
from 88.3% in 2000
22.7% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+31%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic66.3%(94,856)
Black5.2%(7,404)
Hispanic / Latino19.8%(28,373)
Asian2.6%(3,771)
Other3.3%(4,696)
Diversity Score61.1%(87,439)
Diversity Score
61
+18%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.2%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 20.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.0%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 85.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.7 min
+30%since 2000
from 23.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 58.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.0%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
8.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.9%
−82.1 ptssince 2013
from 90.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Surprise

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

Compare Surprise to nearby cities

SURPRISE VS
Sun City West
Income$63,685−11%
Home value$377,800+46%
Population27,425−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURPRISE VS
El Mirage
Income$78,050+10%
Home value$321,900+24%
Population35,820−80%
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SURPRISE VS
Sun City
Income$54,586−23%
Home value$280,900+9%
Population37,486−79%
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SURPRISE VS
Peoria
Income$95,815+35%
Home value$463,600+79%
Population200,881+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Surprise, Arizona?

Surprise, Arizona has about 143,148 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Surprise, Arizona?

The typical household in Surprise, Arizona earns about $71,192 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 $258,700, and the typical rent is about $1,443 a month.

How educated are people in Surprise, Arizona?

About 29.2% 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 7.6% 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 136,026 residents, a change of about 1910 percent over that period.

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

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