Scottsdale’s population growth is real, but it doesn’t lift every property type equally.

Key takeaway

Scottsdale has about 243,006 residents, and that growth is pushing up detached-home prices while condos and townhouses soften. If you want room to negotiate, start with condos because they have the deepest supply. If you want the home type demand favors, single-family is the pick, though you will pay a premium for it.

Who this guide is for

You are checking Scottsdale’s population to judge whether growth will hold up the value of a home you are about to buy or sell, and to decide which type of property to focus on.

What is the population of Scottsdale, AZ?

The official 2020 Census counted 241,361 residents in Scottsdale. A July 1, 2025, Census estimate put the city at 243,006 people. Scottsdale sits inside the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area, home to 5,186,958 people as of July 1, 2024. That metro ranked 6th among U.S. metros by numeric growth from 2023 to 2024.

For the bigger picture, see Scottsdale Zip Codes.

Scottsdale population growth and density

Scottsdale grew from 217,385 residents in 2010 to the 2020 count above. The city covers 184 square miles, a density of about 1,311.7 people per square mile. That number reads low because the city stretches 31 miles from north to south, and much of that land is the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which can never be built on.

That protected land limits room for new housing, and it’s a big part of why detached homes carry so much price pressure. If you’re set on a new build, look at developments near the city’s edges or consider building from scratch.

How population growth shows up in Scottsdale home prices

In the wider Scottsdale housing market, attached homes make up roughly 45% of active listings but only about 37% of recent sales. That leaves a choice: pay for the home type growth is lifting, or take the advantage in the types it isn’t.

Single-family homes

This is where population-driven demand lands, because detached homes are the scarce product in a city with protected desert and limited infill space. The median sale price is about $1,272,000, and about 1 in 14 detached homes still sold above asking in the latest 90 days. Make a clean offer and expect little room on price. Growth is already priced in, so further value gains depend on demand staying strong.

Townhouses

A townhouse median of roughly $560,000 is well under half the detached median and usually buys more space than a condo. Prices have slipped, and 5.7 months of supply gives you room to ask for a price cut or seller credits.

What you give up is full control over the exterior. Nearly every townhouse carries an HOA, so ask for current dues, the latest budget, and the reserve study before writing an offer. Then compare those costs against typical HOA fees.

Condos

The condo median is about $353,000, roughly a quarter of the detached median. The negotiating position is the clearest of any segment: 7.9 months of supply and the longest time on market let you compare several buildings before committing.

Condo values have been falling, though, so if you need to sell within a few years, you could sell for less than you paid. Financing can also be limited. Ask your lender whether the specific complex is FHA- or VA-approved before you get far into a search.

Which Scottsdale home type fits your plans?

Start with your budget. If it reaches the single-family median and you want a detached home with a yard in the segment growth is lifting, see Single-family homes. If not, weigh Townhouses against Condos. If you might sell within a few years, the falling attached-home medians matter more than the city’s growth. If you need negotiating room and the lowest entry price, start with condos. If you’re buying attached, add the HOA dues covered under Townhouses to your monthly limit.

The overall median home in Scottsdale recently closed below list price, so an offer under asking is normal even in a growing city. David Arustamian can pull recent sales for the specific building or street you’re considering to help you shape your offer.

Official Scottsdale population data and related guides

For updated counts, check Census QuickFacts or the City of Scottsdale’s About page, as estimates update annually. When evaluating a specific neighborhood, confirm your school assignment directly with the district’s boundary lookup.

At a glance

• All homes: median sale price $889,576, up 9.2% year over year; 1,208 sold; median 82 days on market; 96.4% of list price (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
• Single-family: median sale price $1,271,993, up 10.6% YoY; 4.8 months of supply; median 75 days on market; 7.2% sold above list (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
• Townhouse: median sale price $559,907, down 4.3% YoY; 5.7 months of supply; median 92 days on market; 2.8% sold above list (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
• Condo: median sale price $352,964, down 4.9% YoY; 7.9 months of supply; median 95 days on market; 3.8% sold above list (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
• Median price per square foot: single-family $455, townhouse $355, condo $325 (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
• Active listings: 2,162 all homes, including 1,186 single-family, 479 townhouses and 484 condos (90 days ending 2026-09-30)

Scottsdale, AZ population FAQs

What is the projected population of Scottsdale, Arizona in 2026?

A Census estimate from July 1, 2025, was 243,006. The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity publishes projections, which differ from Census estimates and are revised regularly.

Is Scottsdale one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona?

Scottsdale’s population grew 0.7% between the April 2020 estimates base and July 2025. The fastest growth in Arizona generally happens in cities with more open land.

Which is nicer, Tucson or Scottsdale?

Tucson is more than twice Scottsdale’s size, with 548,371 residents as of July 2025 against Scottsdale’s 243,006. The choice usually comes down to budget, climate and commute.

Is Scottsdale, AZ a suburb?

Scottsdale is its own incorporated city with its own city council, sitting inside the Phoenix metro area in Maricopa County.

How old is Scottsdale, AZ?

Scottsdale was incorporated as a town on June 25, 1951, with a population of 2,032 on about half a square mile.

Is Scottsdale, AZ expensive to live in?

Housing is the biggest variable. The all-homes median sale price is $889,576, up 9.2% year over year, though condos and townhouses cost far less than detached homes.

How many homes are in Scottsdale, AZ?

The Census American Community Survey publishes the total housing-unit count. Only a small share is for sale at once: recently there were 2,162 active listings.

How big will Scottsdale’s population get?

The General Plan 2035 projects a built-out population of 316,700 by 2055, and Scottsdale had reached three-quarters of that by July 2018.

Sources

• Census Bureau: QuickFacts Scottsdale city, Arizona
• Census Bureau: QuickFacts Dashboard
• Census Bureau: Population Estimates Press Release
• Census Bureau: QuickFacts Population Percent Change
• Census Bureau: QuickFacts Tucson city, Arizona
• City of Scottsdale: About
• City of Scottsdale: 75 Years of History
• Redfin: Data Center