Most Americans have never been to small town Arizona. However, as the Arizonan who live there know, small town Arizona is an awesome place to call home.
But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Arizona has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using Saturday Night Science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Grand Canyon State. Don’t freak out, we will use data to show which places have high crime, poverty, and unemployment.
After analyzing more than 107 of Arizona’s smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in Arizona where you’d never want to live:
10.4% unemployment · $30,282 median income
13.3% unemployment · $25,791 median income
20.5% unemployment · $37,011 median income
30.0% unemployment · $25,996 median income
29.8% unemployment · $45,563 median income
27.3% unemployment · $29,318 median income
8.7% unemployment · $36,207 median income
9.7% unemployment · $37,440 median income
10.0% unemployment · $46,932 median income
22.0% unemployment · $26,490 median income
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Arizona’s statewide median.
Arizona statewide median: $423,330
Arizona statewide median: $79,964
Arizona statewide median: 5.1%
On the map
Where Arizona’s worst small towns are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How do you decide if a small place in Arizona is lousy or not?
To rank the worst small towns to live in Arizona, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. Assuming that people like low crime, solid education, things to do, and a stable economy isn’t a stretch.
We then analyzed the criteria using Saturday Night Science, the thinking you’d use at a bar. It seems like even your crazy Uncle would agree that a town with high crime is worse than a town with low crime; all else the same.
Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (The lower, the worse)
- Highest Unemployment Rates
- Low housing costs (meaning there’s no demand)
- Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
- Education (Number of high school dropouts)
- High Crime
We looked at cities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000 people, of which there were many – 107 to be exact.
We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets them from the cities. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.
We base all our research on facts, which is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2026, which is our eleventh time ranking the worst small places to live in Arizona.
The full plate
Worst Small Towns In Arizona
Click any column to sort. Search by town name.
| Rank | Town | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casa Blanca | 1,697 | 10.4% | $0 | $30,282 |
| 2 | Cibecue | 2,228 | 13.3% | $114,390 | $25,791 |
| 3 | Lukachukai | 1,969 | 20.5% | $55,156 | $37,011 |
| 3 | Dolan Springs | 1,341 | 30.0% | $135,439 | $25,996 |
| 5 | Pinon | 1,159 | 29.8% | $88,314 | $45,563 |
| 6 | Bylas | 1,551 | 27.3% | $23,715 | $29,318 |
| 7 | Canyon Day | 1,182 | 8.7% | $62,561 | $36,207 |
| 8 | Whiteriver | 4,545 | 9.7% | $63,848 | $37,440 |
| 9 | Kaibito | 1,661 | 10.0% | $64,599 | $46,932 |
| 10 | Meadview | 1,517 | 22.0% | $213,686 | $26,490 |
| 10 | Dilkon | 1,270 | 8.7% | $82,627 | $37,656 |
| 12 | Ak-Chin Village | 1,132 | 9.7% | $176,629 | $47,344 |
| 13 | Sacaton | 3,429 | 14.0% | $0 | $49,327 |
| 14 | Peach Springs | 1,234 | 18.1% | $97,114 | $60,054 |
| 15 | Summit | 4,896 | 22.3% | $161,391 | $47,064 |
| 16 | Sells | 1,935 | 18.7% | $0 | $1,000 |
| 17 | Shongopovi | 1,084 | 31.1% | $87,241 | $1,000 |
| 18 | Blackwater | 1,958 | 5.5% | $274,708 | $1,000 |
| 19 | Pirtleville | 1,939 | 16.4% | $96,792 | $48,589 |
| 20 | Avenue B and C | 4,001 | 19.9% | $15,774 | $44,240 |
| 21 | Quartzsite | 1,877 | 46.7% | $199,506 | $1,000 |
| 22 | Chinle | 4,147 | 12.0% | $42,065 | $53,239 |
| 23 | Kayenta | 4,927 | 13.5% | $40,133 | $58,423 |
| 24 | San Carlos | 4,973 | 18.2% | $72,111 | $56,302 |
| 25 | South Tucson | 4,550 | 10.6% | $219,315 | $33,598 |
| 26 | First Mesa | 1,459 | 6.6% | $51,830 | $57,889 |
| 27 | Tsaile | 1,696 | 6.2% | $50,113 | $48,819 |
| 27 | Wilhoit | 1,101 | 7.5% | $247,238 | $57,708 |
| 29 | Naco | 1,060 | 8.1% | $79,730 | $57,540 |
| 30 | Mammoth | 1,191 | 17.6% | $105,591 | $47,266 |
| 31 | Gila Bend | 1,363 | 0.0% | $227,529 | $52,254 |
| 32 | Spring Valley | 1,673 | 1.6% | $218,157 | $42,817 |
| 33 | Miami | 1,405 | 17.3% | $134,295 | $40,875 |
| 34 | Willcox | 3,222 | 13.0% | $201,775 | $43,929 |
| 35 | Ajo | 3,107 | 6.9% | $138,105 | $53,958 |
| 35 | Window Rock | 2,477 | 8.6% | $91,104 | $55,694 |
| 37 | Black Canyon City | 2,181 | 10.5% | $369,285 | $47,465 |
| 38 | Scenic | 1,379 | 10.4% | $453,705 | $29,063 |
| 39 | LeChee | 1,307 | 3.3% | $92,392 | $61,731 |
| 40 | Fort Defiance | 3,351 | 11.2% | $40,133 | $56,045 |
| 41 | San Manuel | 3,491 | 2.4% | $157,253 | $48,314 |
| 42 | Claypool | 1,259 | 12.0% | $126,623 | $57,900 |
| 43 | Colorado City | 2,702 | 4.1% | $361,746 | $64,167 |
| 44 | Cienega Springs | 1,958 | 7.4% | $205,924 | $46,575 |
| 45 | St. Michaels | 1,142 | 12.7% | $217,299 | $65,556 |
| 46 | White Mountain Lake | 2,910 | 4.8% | $185,321 | $50,263 |
| 47 | North Fork | 1,463 | 5.8% | $112,244 | $123,313 |
| 48 | Central Heights-Midland City | 2,909 | 11.9% | $129,413 | $61,400 |
| 49 | Whetstone | 2,971 | 8.4% | $229,532 | $51,625 |
| 50 | Holbrook | 4,858 | 3.4% | $203,704 | $56,502 |
| 51 | Heber-Overgaard | 3,621 | 16.4% | $291,019 | $58,542 |
| 52 | Bouse | 1,203 | 4.5% | $150,977 | $47,691 |
| 53 | Springerville | 2,008 | 3.8% | $259,624 | $49,051 |
| 53 | Lake of the Woods | 3,250 | 15.3% | $292,092 | $55,987 |
| 55 | Grand Canyon Village | 1,599 | 1.5% | $0 | $73,418 |
| 56 | Beaver Dam | 1,624 | 6.8% | $318,393 | $72,650 |
| 57 | Superior | 2,535 | 6.2% | $196,126 | $45,030 |
| 58 | Mohave Valley | 2,555 | 9.3% | $303,995 | $60,134 |
| 59 | Cactus Flats | 1,508 | 17.8% | $336,625 | $58,021 |
| 60 | Fredonia | 1,061 | 6.0% | $302,300 | $62,887 |
| 61 | Tombstone | 1,026 | 0.8% | $235,026 | $34,901 |
| 62 | Parker | 3,388 | 7.4% | $348,325 | $66,273 |
| 63 | Valle Vista | 2,369 | 7.7% | $300,248 | $46,161 |
| 64 | Bisbee | 4,977 | 13.6% | $224,750 | $47,613 |
| 65 | Tonto Basin | 1,750 | 0.0% | $332,849 | $50,762 |
| 66 | Joseph City | 2,153 | 7.8% | $189,506 | $75,227 |
| 67 | Huachuca City | 1,614 | 3.7% | $218,815 | $50,625 |
| 68 | Williams | 3,369 | 5.0% | $442,779 | $76,136 |
| 69 | Golden Shores | 1,555 | 0.0% | $225,132 | $44,077 |
| 70 | Queen Valley | 1,118 | 11.1% | $239,511 | $1,000 |
| 71 | Dewey-Humboldt | 4,501 | 9.9% | $483,719 | $66,535 |
| 72 | Swift Trail Junction | 2,859 | 0.0% | $219,767 | $63,074 |
| 73 | Congress | 1,491 | 0.0% | $353,781 | $57,159 |
| 74 | Wellton | 2,527 | 0.5% | $252,932 | $58,470 |
| 75 | Taylor | 4,183 | 3.6% | $379,918 | $90,275 |
| 76 | Kearny | 2,109 | 4.4% | $170,816 | $47,031 |
| 77 | Bagdad | 2,814 | 6.5% | $0 | $107,885 |
| 78 | Cordes Lakes | 3,808 | 4.6% | $236,399 | $61,708 |
| 79 | Oracle | 3,146 | 3.6% | $526,704 | $63,774 |
| 80 | Clarkdale | 4,758 | 2.7% | $472,021 | $46,563 |
| 81 | Mescal | 1,760 | 3.9% | $205,280 | $55,417 |
| 82 | Linden | 2,502 | 9.1% | $441,358 | $98,038 |
| 83 | Red Rock CDP (Pinal County) | 3,277 | 2.3% | $310,764 | $80,357 |
| 84 | Pinetop-Lakeside | 4,101 | 5.7% | $397,898 | $60,694 |
| 85 | Star Valley | 2,525 | 0.0% | $492,896 | $65,426 |
| 85 | Pine | 1,740 | 0.0% | $482,184 | $59,432 |
| 87 | Clifton | 3,822 | 0.8% | $70,823 | $78,480 |
| 88 | Morenci | 1,673 | 4.0% | $0 | $69,583 |
| 89 | Paulden | 4,795 | 1.5% | $449,339 | $91,741 |
| 90 | Eagar | 4,416 | 3.2% | $295,900 | $82,839 |
| 91 | Lake Montezuma | 4,929 | 2.4% | $306,042 | $64,455 |
| 92 | Wagon Wheel | 1,716 | 5.8% | $343,815 | $68,495 |
| 93 | St. David | 1,098 | 0.0% | $302,892 | $53,188 |
| 94 | Cornville | 3,618 | 8.0% | $528,168 | $72,596 |
| 94 | Pima | 2,995 | 4.1% | $338,034 | $97,960 |
| 96 | Pinetop Country Club | 2,054 | 5.9% | $498,016 | $79,719 |
| 97 | Strawberry | 1,094 | 0.0% | $397,361 | $60,492 |
| 98 | Mountainaire | 1,103 | 5.7% | $531,711 | $111,891 |
| 99 | Desert Hills | 2,944 | 2.9% | $302,179 | $62,361 |
| 100 | Tubac | 1,294 | 0.0% | $503,137 | $73,359 |
Source: FBI crime data + U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024 via Saturday Night Science. 107 Arizona towns between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.
Summary
There You Have It – The Worst Small Towns In Arizona
If you’re analyzing teeny places in the Grand Canyon State with the worst economic situations, where there’s high crime and there’s not a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The worst small towns in Arizona are Casa Blanca, Cibecue, Lukachukai, Dolan Springs, Pinon, Bylas, Canyon Day, Whiteriver, Kaibito, and Meadview. Not sold on Arizona? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Worst Small Towns In Arizona FAQs
What is the worst small town in Arizona?
Casa Blanca is the worst small town in Arizona for 2026, according to the data. The median household income there is $30,282 and unemployment sits at 10.4%.
What are the worst small towns in Arizona?
The worst small towns in Arizona are Casa Blanca, Cibecue, Lukachukai, Dolan Springs, Pinon, Bylas, Canyon Day, Whiteriver, Kaibito, and Meadview. We ranked all 107 Arizona towns with between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.
Why does Casa Blanca rank as the worst small town?
Casa Blanca posts the worst combined score on the measures we track: unemployment at 10.4%, a median income of $30,282, and a median home value of $0. Low housing demand and dropout rates factor in too.
Which small town in Arizona came out best?
Rio Verde lands at the bottom of the worst-towns ranking, which makes it the best of the 107 small towns we scored. Our separate best small towns in Arizona ranking covers the happier end in detail.
How serious is this ranking?
The data is real — density, unemployment, housing demand, income, dropouts, and crime — but the framing is infotainment. If you love your small town, the numbers will not change that; they just say times are tougher in these 107 places.
