Payson, AZ Demographics

A map of Payson's Population by Race

Payson, Arizona has an estimated population of 16,622, a slight increase from the 16,351 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 82.2% White, 12.3% Hispanic, 3.2% Multiracial, 1.4% Native American/Other, 0.6% Asian, and 0.4% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Payson, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Payson has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Arizona overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Payson, that probability was 32.9% in 2020 and 30.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Payson is ranked the 47th most populous place in Arizona, out of 467 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Payson was ranked the 46th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Payson's White Population

13,658 residents of Payson, or 82.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Payson is significantly higher than in Arizona overall, where 52.6% of the population is White. Payson ranks 101st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 467 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Payson's White population has grown by an estimated 3.1%. White residents' share of Payson's population has increased from 81.0% to 82.2%.

Payson is more White than neighboring Mesa del Caballo (75.2% White), Round Valley (78.4% White), and East Verde Estates (53.1% White). Payson is less White than neighboring Oxbow Estates (88.6% White), and Flowing Springs (100% White).

Payson's Black Population

60 residents of Payson, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Payson is slightly lower than in Arizona overall, where 4.4% of the population is Black. Payson ranks 221st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 467 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Payson's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.2%. Black residents' share of Payson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Payson is more Black than neighboring Round Valley (0.3% Black), Oxbow Estates (0% Black), East Verde Estates (0% Black), and Flowing Springs (0% Black). Payson is less Black than neighboring Mesa del Caballo (6.4% Black).

Payson's Asian Population

93 residents of Payson, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Payson is slightly lower than in Arizona overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Payson ranks 124th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 467 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Payson's Asian population has declined by an estimated 35.9%. Asian residents' share of Payson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Payson is more Asian than neighboring Mesa del Caballo (0% Asian), Round Valley (0% Asian), Oxbow Estates (0% Asian), East Verde Estates (0% Asian), and Flowing Springs (0% Asian).

Payson's Hispanic Population

2,050 residents of Payson, or 12.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Payson is significantly lower than in Arizona overall, where 31.4% of the population is Hispanic. Payson ranks 246th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 467 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Payson's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Payson's population has increased from 11.2% to 12.3%.

Payson is more Hispanic than neighboring Mesa del Caballo (8.6% Hispanic), Round Valley (12.2% Hispanic), Oxbow Estates (11.4% Hispanic), and Flowing Springs (0% Hispanic). Payson is less Hispanic than neighboring East Verde Estates (12.4% Hispanic).

Payson's Native American/Other Population

228 residents of Payson, or 1.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Payson is slightly lower than in Arizona overall, where 3.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Payson ranks 209th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 467 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Payson's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 49.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Payson's population has decreased from 2.7% to 1.4%.

Payson is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mesa del Caballo (0% Native American/Other), Round Valley (0.2% Native American/Other), Oxbow Estates (0% Native American/Other), and Flowing Springs (0% Native American/Other). Payson is less Native American/Other than neighboring East Verde Estates (13.1% Native American/Other).

Payson's Multiracial Population

533 residents of Payson, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Payson is comparable to the share in Arizona overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Payson ranks 162nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 467 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Payson's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Payson's population has decreased from 3.7% to 3.2%.

Payson is more Multiracial than neighboring Oxbow Estates (0% Multiracial), and Flowing Springs (0% Multiracial). Payson is less Multiracial than neighboring Mesa del Caballo (9.9% Multiracial), Round Valley (8.9% Multiracial), and East Verde Estates (21.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.