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Nelson, AZ
Census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona.
Population
519
Land area
0.5sq mi
People per sq mi
1,096
ZIP codes
0
Nelson and its ZIP codes
Nelson at a glance
- Nelson is about 17 times as dense as Arizona as a whole.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $96,000 (76% below Arizona).
Housing and community stats
Nelson, AZ, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Poverty rate
11.0%
Median home value
$96,000
Homeownership
100.0%
Bachelor's or higher
18.5%
Median age
19.1
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (363), Irish Americans (23), German Americans (22).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Pima County. PPP loans are for Nelson.
Unemployment rate
5.7%
Aug 2026, +0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$64,242
387,065 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$60,425
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$21.7B
FY 2026, $20,828 per person
How people get to work
Nelson, AZ, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone100.0%
- Carpooled0.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home0.0%
Environment and hazard risk
Nelson, AZ, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: heat wave
Storm events since 1996
2,563
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
2,620
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
102° / 39°F
11.1 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Nelson, AZ, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
32.9%
U.S. 33.3% about the same
Diabetes
11.7%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
12.3%
U.S. 12.8% -0.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.4%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
Cities near Nelson
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| MaranaTown | 2.8 mi | 121.7 |
| Avra ValleyCensus-designated place | 4.5 mi | 22.4 |
| RillitoCensus-designated place | 6.5 mi | 0.1 |
| Picture RocksCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 70.8 |
| Red RockCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 47.3 |
| Tucson MountainsCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 26.3 |
| Casas AdobesCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 26.5 |
| Oro ValleyTown | 17 mi | 35.1 |
| Flowing WellsCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 3.8 |
| Tucson EstatesCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 12.7 |
| CatalinaCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 14.1 |
| Valencia WestCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 9.5 |
| PicachoCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 6.1 |
| Drexel HeightsCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 19.2 |
| KleindaleCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 0.1 |
| South TucsonCity | 24 mi | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Nelson, AZ in?
- Nelson is in Pima County, Arizona.
- What is the population of Nelson, AZ?
- About 519 people live in Nelson, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Nelson?
- Nearby places include Marana (2.8 mi), Avra Valley (4.5 mi), Rillito (6.5 mi), Picture Rocks (7.1 mi), Red Rock (10 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023