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Neighborhood report

Payson, AZ

Founded 1973Gila CountyElev. 4,890 m
Population
16,494
Median home
$343,200
Disaster risk
Relatively Moderate
Public schools
8
Sex offenders
2

Overview

About Payson

Payson is home to roughly 16,494 residents. Payson was founded in 1973 and sits in Gila County. The median age is 58.9 and the median household income is $65,175. Homes carry a median value of $343,200, and about 77% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (83.7%). Around 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 18 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

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Who lives here

Demographics

Population
16,494
Median age
58.9
Median household income
$65,175
Per-capita income
$39,610
Poverty rate
8.3%
High-school grad or higher
92.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher
26.5%
Unemployment
7.8%
Avg. commute
18.2 min
Work from home
10.1%
Residents by race & ethnicity
White83.7%
Hispanic or Latino11.5%
Black0.4%
Asian0.7%
Workforce by occupation
Management, business, science & arts37.2%
Service22.9%
Sales & office21.1%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance10.3%
Production, transportation & material moving8.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

Housing

Property report

Median home value
$343,200
Median gross rent
$1,355/mo
Owner-occupied
77.2%
Median year built
1992
Households
7,821
Avg. household size
2.06

Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.

Education

Schools

Schools: Below average

Payson has 8 public schools — 2 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high.

Student proficiency · grade 8, 2 schools
Reading20%
Math17%

% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.

NAVIT - Gila Community CollegeHighGrades 9–12
NAVIT - Payson High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Payson Center for Success - OnlineHighGrades 7–12
Payson High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Rim Country Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Julia Randall Elementary SchoolElementaryGrades 2–5
Payson Elementary SchoolElementary
Payson Center for Success High School

Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.

Safety

Crime

violent crime20% below national
Payson310
Arizona429
United States386
↓ 17% lower than 2019
2019–2023
property crime1% below national
Payson1,937
Arizona1,896
United States1,952
↑ 5% higher than 2019
2019–2023

Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Payson Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).

Environment

Environmental hazards

Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Payson.

Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.

Risk

Natural disaster risk

Relatively Moderate
Top hazards · Gila County
LightningRelatively High
WildfireRelatively High
Winter weatherRelatively High
Heat waveRelatively Moderate
Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate
LandslideRelatively Low

County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.

Context

Neighborhood info

Payson is in Gila County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.

Payson was founded in 1973 and sits in Gila County. Elevation ~4,890 m.

Map of Payson
Payson, AZ
Where Payson is
PhoenixTucsonMesaChandlerGilbertGlendalePayson
Historic places

2 on the National Register of Historic Places.

Natural Bridge LodgeOx Bow Inn
People searches in Payson
Michael Smith (3)John Smith (2)James Smith (2)David Smith (2)Robert Smith (2)Michael Johnson (2)John Johnson (2)James Johnson (2)Michael Williams (2)William Smith (2)David Johnson (2)Robert Johnson (2)John Williams (2)Michael BrownMichael JonesJames WilliamsDavid WilliamsJohn BrownRobert WilliamsJohn JonesWilliam JohnsonMary SmithJames BrownJames Jones
Nearby cities
Camp Verde (38 mi)Scottsdale (50 mi)Fountain Hills (50 mi)Sedona (50 mi)Cottonwood (52 mi)Paradise Valley (60 mi)

Registered sex offenders in Payson, AZ (2)

Public sex-offender registry records for Payson, Arizona.

Donald L Smith, 77
Payson · 85541
AKA Don Smith, Don L Smith
William Desmond Walker, 69
Payson · 85541
AKA Desi Walker, William D Walker

Source: Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state registries. Public record. This information is provided for public awareness. Using it to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any registrant, or for any purpose prohibited by law, is illegal. Verify against the official registry record before relying on it.

Common questions

Payson — frequently asked

What is the population of Payson, Arizona?
Payson has a population of about 16,494, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Payson?
The median home value in Payson is $343,200, and the median gross rent is $1,355/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Payson safe? What is the crime rate?
Payson Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 310 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — lower than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Payson face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gila County as "Relatively Moderate" overall, with top hazards including lightning, wildfire, winter weather.
How many schools are in Payson?
Payson has 8 public schools (2 elementary, 1 middle, 4 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Payson?
Public registry data lists 2 registered sex offenders in or near Payson. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.
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