1st Advantage MortgageApache County households have a median income of $41,438 and median rent of $647 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Arizona before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Apache County
- Paychecks and income spread in Apache County
- The Apache County job picture
- Renting and owning in Apache County
- Apache County and the counties next door
- Apache County towns compared
- Budget math at the Apache County median
- Apache County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Apache County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Apache County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Apache County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Apache County
Apache County is home to about 65,341 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 10th most populous of 15 county-level areas in Arizona. It covers 11,198 square miles of land, or about 6 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 39 places in the county (3 incorporated, 36 census-designated); the largest is Eagar, with about 4,416 residents, or 7% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Apache County
Apache County households have a median income of $41,438 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 15th of 15 in Arizona.
| Income band | Share in Apache County | Difference from Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 45.1% | +25.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.7% | -3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.4% | -12.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.9% | -8.7 pts |
Some 45% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 18% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 30.5% of Apache County residents in poverty, against 12.5% across Arizona. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.518 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Apache County job picture
Education and health care employs 41% of working residents, the largest share; public administration is next with 12%. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 41% locally and 22% for Arizona. Averaged over the five survey years, 10.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 80% drive to work alone and 21% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 11.5% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Apache County | Gap to Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 41.1% | +19.0 pts |
| Public administration | 12.3% | +7.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -2.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -2.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.0% | +1.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Apache County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Renting and owning in Apache County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $647 in Apache County versus $1,543 statewide. 24% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 10% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $63,700, about 1.5 times the median household income. 79% of Apache County households own their home and 21% rent.
| Cost | Apache County | Arizona figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $647/mo | $1,543/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $63,700 | $394,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 28% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 27% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Apache County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Apache County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (47 to 132 miles). All of the six report a higher median household income than Apache County; Coconino County is highest at $72,966 and McKinley County lowest at $47,668. Some neighbors are in New Mexico. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Apache County resident follows Arizona rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache County | - | $41,438 | $647/mo | 79% |
| Navajo County, AZ | 47 mi | $54,606 | $858/mo | 73% |
| McKinley County, NM | 71 mi | $47,668 | $859/mo | 70% |
| Cibola County, NM | 90 mi | $50,759 | $759/mo | 76% |
| San Juan County, NM | 102 mi | $55,872 | $956/mo | 71% |
| Catron County, NM | 120 mi | $49,864 | $736/mo | 94% |
| Coconino County, AZ | 132 mi | $72,966 | $1,473/mo | 60% |
Apache County towns compared
39 Census places fall mainly inside Apache County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 35,729 residents, leaving about 45% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $131,968 at the median in St. Johns, $31,250 in Nazlini. This guide covers each of the 39 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagar | town | 4,416 | $82,839 | $494 | 89 mi |
| Chinle | CDP | 4,147 | $53,239 | $565 | 53 mi |
| St. Johns | city | 3,395 | $131,968 | n/a | 61 mi |
| Fort Defiance | CDP | 3,351 | $56,045 | $856 | 34 mi |
| Window Rock | CDP | 2,477 | $55,694 | $732 | 31 mi |
| Springerville | town | 2,008 | $49,051 | $1,217 | 84 mi |
| Lukachukai | CDP | 1,969 | $37,011 | $921 | 72 mi |
| Tsaile | CDP | 1,696 | $48,819 | $560 | 65 mi |
| St. Michaels | CDP | 1,142 | $65,556 | $839 | 29 mi |
| McNary | CDP | 919 | $57,000 | $523 | 92 mi |
| Many Farms | CDP | 876 | $32,981 | $920 | 67 mi |
| Teec Nos Pos | CDP | 712 | $44,688 | $943 | 110 mi |
| Houck | CDP | 707 | $33,750 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Sanders | CDP | 684 | $31,576 | $618 | 16 mi |
Budget math at the Apache County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Apache County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Apache County: $3,453
- Median rent: $647, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- $734: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Apache County's.
Apache County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. About 18% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Apache County | Arizona | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | 33.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.0% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.2% | 10.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 18.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 30.5% | 12.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 10.7% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Apache County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 14.3% |
Reading the Apache County data as a borrower
Based on the Apache County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Apache County. For the 18% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Long drives. With 21% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Apache County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 23% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 31% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Licensing and complaints for Apache County
The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Arizona license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Arizona state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Apache County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Apache County
The Arizona guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Apache County earn?
The median is $41,438; 18% earn $100,000 or more and 45% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Apache County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $647 against $1,543 statewide, and 24% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Apache County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Apache County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Eagar, Chinle, St. Johns, Fort Defiance, Window Rock and 34 more.
Will a Apache County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Arizona as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.