1st Advantage MortgageAbout 71% of Yuma County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $62,876. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Yuma County by the numbers
- What it costs to live in Yuma County
- Income in Yuma County compared with Arizona
- Jobs and commutes in Yuma County
- The communities that make up Yuma County
- Yuma County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Yuma County's medians
- Yuma County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Yuma County
- Four steps for Yuma County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Yuma County residents
- More guides for Yuma County
- Frequently asked questions
Yuma County by the numbers
Roughly 211,741 residents live in Yuma County, Arizona, 6th by population among the state's 15 counties and county equivalents. It covers 5,514 square miles of land, or about 38 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Yuma, AZ metropolitan area. Of the 21 Census places inside Yuma County, Yuma leads by population with about 100,139; 4 of the 21 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Yuma County
Renters in Yuma County pay a median of $993 a month, 36% below the Arizona figure of $1,543. By the Census definition, 48% of Yuma County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $217,800, a typical Yuma County house costs 3.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 71% of homes. Median construction year: 1995.
| Measure | Yuma County | Arizona | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $993/mo | $1,543/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $217,800 | $394,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 28% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 11% | n/a |
Income in Yuma County compared with Arizona
The median household income in Yuma County is $62,876; statewide it is $79,964, so Yuma County runs 21% below Arizona as a whole.
| Band | Yuma County | Compared with Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.3% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.6% | +7.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -6.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Yuma County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 15.6%, 3 points higher than the state's 12.5%. None of these numbers decides a Yuma County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Yuma County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Yuma County residents work in education and health care and 11% in retail trade. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Yuma County averages 6.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. 5.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Yuma County | Difference from Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.1% | -1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +0.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.6% | +8.4 pts |
| Public administration | 9.2% | +4.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -3.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The communities that make up Yuma County
21 Census places fall mainly inside Yuma County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 191,352 residents, leaving about 10% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $38,542 in Donovan Estates to $74,015 in Somerton. Live in one of these Yuma County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma | city | 100,139 | $65,482 | $1,114 | 40 mi |
| San Luis | city | 37,337 | $59,400 | $741 | 51 mi |
| Fortuna Foothills | CDP | 28,896 | $60,474 | $1,141 | 29 mi |
| Somerton | city | 14,574 | $74,015 | $896 | 47 mi |
| Avenue B and C | CDP | 4,001 | $44,240 | $807 | 44 mi |
| Wellton | town | 2,527 | $58,470 | $1,517 | 20 mi |
| Rancho Mesa Verde | CDP | 759 | n/a | n/a | 45 mi |
| Donovan Estates | CDP | 507 | $38,542 | n/a | 45 mi |
| Gadsden | CDP | 493 | $43,535 | $482 | 53 mi |
| Yuma Proving Ground | CDP | 468 | $72,712 | $729 | 31 mi |
| Wall Lane | CDP | 374 | $81,750 | $832 | 47 mi |
| Tacna | CDP | 353 | $35,625 | $770 | 6 mi |
| El Prado Estates | CDP | 258 | $46,075 | n/a | 36 mi |
| Orange Grove Mobile Manor | CDP | 211 | n/a | n/a | 45 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Yuma County next to its neighbors
La Paz County is closest, 66 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pinal County, is 148 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Yuma County; Riverside County is highest at $93,074 and La Paz County lowest at $49,478. Some neighbors are in California. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Yuma County resident follows Arizona rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma County | - | $62,876 | $993/mo | 71% |
| La Paz County, AZ | 66 mi | $49,478 | $802/mo | 72% |
| Imperial County, CA | 86 mi | $57,681 | $1,056/mo | 57% |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 91 mi | $89,300 | $1,708/mo | 65% |
| Pima County, AZ | 132 mi | $70,315 | $1,212/mo | 65% |
| Riverside County, CA | 138 mi | $93,074 | $1,901/mo | 69% |
| Pinal County, AZ | 148 mi | $80,266 | $1,537/mo | 82% |
Debt-to-income at Yuma County's medians
Here is the Yuma County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $62,876 a year is $5,240 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $993, takes 19% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $841 a month
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,365 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Yuma County households compared
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. About 14% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Yuma County | Arizona | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.8% | 33.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 22.5% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.0% | 10.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 18.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | 12.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.9% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Yuma County
Based on the Yuma County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Yuma County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 29% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Four steps for Yuma County borrowers
Steps that save money for Yuma County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Yuma County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Yuma County residents
Consumer lenders serving Yuma County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Arizona that is the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Arizona: Arizona personal loans.
More guides for Yuma County
For statewide rules and data, see the Arizona guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Yuma County?
$62,876 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $79,964 for Arizona. It ranks 8th of 15 in the state.
What do renters pay in Yuma County?
$993 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Yuma County?
By population: Yuma, San Luis, Fortuna Foothills, Somerton, Avenue B and C. The county has 21 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Yuma County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Yuma County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Arizona it is the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.