🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

85281

Tempe

ZIP Code 85281 is a standard zip code serving Tempe, Tempe, Arizona (AZ), in Maricopa County, United States. It has an estimated population of 57,348 with a median household income of $30,582. The area falls within the America/Phoenix timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: Arizona (AZ)
County: Maricopa
City: Tempe
Timezone: America/Phoenix

Coordinates

Latitude: 33.422700
Longitude: -111.926100

Geographic Details

Land Area: 13.35 mi²
Water Area: 0.13 mi²
Population Density: 4296.0 people per mi² (90th percentile)
Bounding Box: 33.463984°N, 33.407376°S, -111.877226°E, -111.979042°W

With 57,348 residents spread across 13.35 square miles, this area has a population density of 4296.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

57,348

Population

95th percentile

$30,582

Median Income

10th percentile

$163,700

Median Home Value

65th percentile

13.35 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 85281 is $30,582, and the median home value is $163,700. This is below the national average for household income.

Housing

26,011

Total Units

22,071

Occupied Units

84.9%

Occupancy Rate

Nearby ZIP Codes

Other zip codes in Tempe, AZ.

85280

Tempe

85282

Tempe

85283

Tempe

85284

Tempe

85285

Tempe

85287

Tempe

85288

Tempe

Similar ZIP Codes in Arizona

ZIP codes with similar median household income in Arizona.

85706

Tucson

$29,814

85603

Bisbee

$33,658

85713

Tucson

$33,459

86511

Saint Michaels

$29,909

85363

Youngtown

$33,884

86538

Many Farms

$34,000

85301

Glendale

$27,267

85719

Tucson

$27,009

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.