Payson, Arizona
Town in Gila County, Arizona · ZIP 85541
- Gila County
- Census data · ACS 2019-2023
- 7 public schools
- 16,762 (2024 estimate)Population
- 7,821Households
- $65,175Median household income
- $343,200Median home value
- 7Public schools
- 1ZIP codes
About Payson
This page shows only what has been published about Payson: Census facts with their sources first, then its businesses, jobs, events, people in public roles, housing and questions as they are added. Nothing here is written by the town government.
Town intelligenceOfficial sources, refreshed yearly
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 13,620 |
| 2010 | 15,301 |
| 2020 | 16,351 |
As counted at each census, within the boundaries the area had then; the current estimate is in the glance card.
Sources: Census 2000 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 04, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2010 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 04, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2020 Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171): total population, place level, state 04, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Median household income $65,175 · Share of households by income, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table S1901.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year subject table S1901 (household income) 2019–2023, place level, state 04, retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Owner occupied
- 6,034 units
- Renter occupied
- 1,787 units
- Vacancy rate
- 20.4%
Occupied housing units by tenure and the share of all units vacant, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table DP04.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 04, retrieved November 14, 2026.
| Measure | Payson | Gila County | Arizona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,494 | 53,610 | 7,268,175 |
| Median household income | $65,175 | $59,089 | $76,872 |
| Median age | 58.9 | 51.4 | 38.8 |
| Median home value | $343,200 | $247,000 | $358,900 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 26.5% | 18.8% | 32.6% |
| Foreign-born residents | 3.9% | 3.4% | 12.9% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.2% | 77.2% | 67.0% |
| Mean commute to work | 18.2 minutes | 21.2 minutes | 25.5 minutes |
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 04, retrieved November 14, 2026.
CommunityRules and moderation
Events in PaysonAll events
No upcoming event is listed in Payson yet. Members and businesses add events from the Events page; each is screened before it shows.
Schools
| School | Type | Grades | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Randall Elementary School | Public | 2–5 | Payson Unified District (4209) |
| Payson Elementary School | Public | K–2 | Payson Unified District (4209) |
| Rim Country Middle School | Public | 6–8 | Payson Unified District (4209) |
| NAVIT - Gila Community College | Career and technical | 9–12 | Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technolog (78786) |
| NAVIT - Payson High School | Career and technical | 9–12 | Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technolog (78786) |
| Payson Center for Success - Online | Public | 7–12 | Payson Unified District (4209) |
| Payson High School | Public | 9–12 | Payson Unified District (4209) |
Open public schools in the NCES directory for 2023–2024, placed by their listed location; private schools are not in the source. Enrollment and ratings are not shown.
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data, public school directory 2023–2024, retrieved November 14, 2026; NCES EDGE public school geocodes 2024–2025, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Frequently asked about PaysonPromoted from questions people asked
No question about Payson has been asked often enough to publish an answer yet. Ask Payson and the answer, once a person checks it, appears here.
Nearby towns
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- Round ValleyCensus designated place
- East Verde EstatesCensus designated place
- Oxbow EstatesCensus designated place
- Flowing SpringsCensus designated place
- Freedom AcresCensus designated place
- Star ValleyTown
- Beaver ValleyCensus designated place
- Geronimo EstatesCensus designated place
- Whispering PinesCensus designated place
Other towns in Gila County
- Bear FlatCensus designated place
- Beaver ValleyCensus designated place
- Canyon DayCensus designated place
- CarrizoCensus designated place
- Cedar CreekCensus designated place
- Central Heights-Midland CityCensus designated place
- Christopher CreekCensus designated place
- ClaypoolCensus designated place
- Copper HillCensus designated place
- CutterCensus designated place