Titan Missile Silo ^570-9 Sign, 2007
Catalina’s story
109 years in pictures
The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2007 and 3 maps from 1959 on.
- 1917Catalina is settled
CatalinaAZ
Settled in 1917, this town now has 6,489 residents.
2 bordering townsMap →
Type B at 2019 E. Water St · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0
Population
6,489
Census survey, 2020–24
Typical home
$402K
−0.7% in a year
Household income
$78K
median
Median age
57.3
years
Jobs based here
766
A commuter town
TownGrade
C+
#59 of 139 in AZ
Is Catalina a good place to live?
The picture is mixed. Its lowest grade is for walkability (C). Most errands need a car: it is less walkable than nearly three quarters of U.S. towns. With a C+ overall, Catalina is better than 44% of U.S. towns. It ranks 59th of 139 in Arizona. Hazard risk is weaker too (D): FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 85% of U.S. communities, with wildfire at the top. Where it does best is health: it is healthier than three quarters of U.S. towns. A typical home there costs about $402K, 5.7 years of the Tucson metro’s $70K median household income. Add schools to its strengths: its schools outperform 68% of the state's.
Figures: health, CDC PLACES · schools, state test and graduation results · FEMA National Risk Index · home values, Zillow · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24.
Get outside
55 miles of trails in Catalina
39% of the town is conserved land, across 5 parks and preserves.
1
Catalina State Park1.8 mi of trails · 73 acres
2
Catalina Regional Park0.3 mi of trails · 281 acres
3
Upper Cañada del Oro42 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
How Catalina grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Arizona), ordered by how far Catalina is from typical.
Hazard riskWildfire tops the listDOpen →HealthOro Valley Hospital 5.3 miles awayA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 5.6 of 20; 2.1% of households have no car; 1.2% of workers walk, bike or ride transitCOpen →SchoolsSchools do better than mostB+Open →Cost of livingBelow the middle of the towns comparedC+Open →Jobs & income$78K median household incomeB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors39% conserved landBOpen →HistoryBased on listed places, the town’s age and notable peopleD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 99° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market$402K typical home, down 0.7% in a year; 72 days on market–Open →Who lives here32% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 29 attractions →Mount Lemmon and 22 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Catalina. Close and well known come first.
7 mi MountainMount Lemmon
16 mi National ParkSaguaro National Park848K visitors a year
18 mi Stadium & arenaArizona Stadium
24 mi MuseumPima Air & Space Museum
8 mi Ski areaMount Lemmon Ski Valley21 runs · 766 ft vertical
23 mi Zoo & aquariumArizona-Sonora Desert MuseumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Mount Lemmon: Debby Kriegel, Public domain · Saguaro National Park: Luke Jones from Yucca Valley, CC BY 2.0 · Arizona Stadium: Wcarlisle4, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Pima Air & Space Museum: The original uploader was MCB at English Wikipedia. Later versions were uploade, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Mount Lemmon Ski Valley: Bill Morrow, CC BY 2.0 · Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting set up
Moving to Catalina: who provides what
Catalina is unincorporated, so Pima County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerTrico Electric Cooperative14.3¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterLago Del Oro Water CompanyNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet8 providers83% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesPima CountyPima County provides services here
Register to voteOnlineIn Arizona you can register online until 29 days before Election Day, in person until 29 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 29 days before).vote.govWho runs elections herePima County RecorderPima County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP code8573985739 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Catalina.
Catalina keeps more of its land conserved than most of Arizona, has more 90° days than nearly all U.S. towns and sends most of its workers to Tucson and beyond.
OutdoorsB
Catalina has set aside nearly a third of its land for conservation
Its 3,514 conserved acres are a larger share of the town than in 75% of Arizona towns.
Catalina’s trail network density is 3.9 miles per square mile. Trails total 55 miles in 5 parks and preserves. The biggest park or preserve is Catalina Regional Park, at 281 acres.
#9for trails in AZ
39%
conserved · 3,514 of 9,020 acres
55 mi
of trails · 3.9 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Catalina State Park | 1.8 mi | 73 |
| 2. Catalina Regional Park | 0.3 mi | 281 |
| 3. Upper Cañada del Oro | — | 42 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB+
Catalina’s grade for schools is a B+
The Amphitheater Unified District runs its public schools. Its one school is below. 561 students attend Catalina’s public school.
68%of AZ districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coronado K-8 SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–8 | Grades PK–8 | 561 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within AZ on state tests and graduation
Who lives here
A older population than Arizona as a whole
Among residents in Catalina, 12% are under 18. People 65 and older are 38% of residents (19% statewide); adults 18 to 34 are 12% of residents (23% statewide). Its median age is 57.3 years, against 41.8 years in Arizona’s towns and 40.5 years across U.S. towns.
57.3median age · AZ 39
| Catalina | Arizona towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 38% | 22% | 18% |
| Median age | 57.3 years | 41.8 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 12% | 21% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 31% | 24% | 29% |
CatalinaArizonaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
24%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma11%
High school24%
Some college23%
Associate’s11%
Bachelor’s17%
Graduate14%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.5 points. Across Arizona, 50.1% of residents are women.
| Catalina | AZ | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 5.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 6.7% | 10.3% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 4.3% | 9.4% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 8.1% | 13.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 10.4% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 10.9% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 15.8% | 12% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 24.3% | 10.8% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 13.9% | 8.1% | 7% |
| No diploma | 11.2% | 10.6% | 10.4% |
| High school | 23.8% | 23.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 23% | 23.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10.5% | 9.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 17% | 20.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 14.4% | 13% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Very high risk in Catalina, with wildfire at the top
2 flood insurance claims have been paid in Catalina since 1983. 50% of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from wildfires, followed by heat waves at 25%.
85risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
WildfireHeat wavesInland flooding
2
paid flood claims since 1983
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HealthA−
Catalina’s grade for health is an A−
Nearly four fifths of Catalina adults had a checkup this year, where Arizona’s towns sit at 75% and U.S. towns at 79%. In Catalina, 13% of adults binge drink. The town beats the Arizona average on 12 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 7. Two figures for adults locally: 10% smoke cigarettes, 15% report frequent mental distress.
75%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Catalina | Arizona towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 14% | 16% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 10% | 13% | 14% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 16% | 17% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 32% | 35% |
32 measures vs. Arizona
12 better13 too close to call7 worse
| What stands out | Catalina | AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 10.4% | 15.8% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 8.1% | 12% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 12.2% | 8.8% |
Oro Valley Hospital
5.3 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
71st
percentile among AZ towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
About one in three of Catalina’s working residents commute to Tucson
Catalina has 766 jobs for its 2,567 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out. Jobs based here fell from 1,202 in 2013 to 766.
For residents in Catalina, the share who live below the poverty line is 8.3%. Only 7% of working residents stay in Catalina for work; the rest commute out. The typical journey to work for Catalina comes to 32 minutes. Also worth knowing: jobs based locally fell to 766 in 2023, 436 fewer than in 2013.
7%work in town
| Catalina | Arizona towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 32 minutes | 24 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 8.3% | 12% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 6.7% | 10% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Catalina7%
Tucson33%
Oro Valley11%
Phoenix10%
Casas Adobes5%
18 mi
median commute distance
766
jobs based in Catalina
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
C
Walkability grade: more walkable than 26% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
Catalina: mild winters and hot summers
The Tucson Camp Ave Exp weather station, 14 miles away, records that about 166 days a year reach 90°, more than in 99% of U.S. towns. July afternoons average 98°, hotter than in 99% of U.S. towns; January nights average 35.3°.
For Catalina, the peak summer temperature is 98°F. Snow almost never falls.
99°summer high
| Catalina | Arizona towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 98°F | 100°F | 85°F |
| January low | 35°F | 37°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter36–64°
Spring48–80°
Summer68–98°
Fall53–83°
Nov 11
typical first frost
Apr 2
typical last frost
+1.4°
vs. the 20th-century average
99°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade C+
Catalina’s grade for cost of living is a C+
Homes sold in Catalina spent a median 72 days on the market. 90% of Catalina households are owner-occupiers. The midpoint rent in the town is $1,326 a month.
$402KZillow home value
| Catalina | Arizona towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 90% | 76% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,326 a month | $1,190 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Catalina$402K
Arizona$417K
Market temperature
72
days on market
97.9%
sale-to-list price
−0.7%
value change, 1 year
6
homes sold in September
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Catalina
17pages on Catalina
The big questions
Out and about
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Catalina; the nearest are
Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental MedicineUniversity or college · Private for-profit · Tucson15.3 miUniversity of ArizonaUniversity or college · Public · Tucson17.7 mi$13,926 in-state tuitionPima Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Tucson18.2 mi$2,442 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Catalina residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Arizona.
A commuter town
93% of working residents leave Catalina for work
Where Catalina’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
766jobs based in Catalina
7%of working residents work in town
18 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Catalina
CDP in Pima County, Arizona
Catalina is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pima County, Arizona, United States. The population was 7,025 at the 2000 census. Catalina continues to experience increasing population growth, while attempting to maintain its rural character. Catalina remains an unincorporated community, with no plans for annexation into any nearby towns.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 14 sq mi
- Elevation
- 3,123 ft
- ZIP code
- 85738–85739, 85738
- Area code
- 520
Catalina’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Catalina.
SaddlebrookeOro ValleyCatalina
How the neighbors grade
| Town | AZ rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina | #59 | C+ | C+ | — | B+ | A− |
| Saddlebrooke | #131 | D | D | — | C+ | B+ |
| Oro Valley | #20 | B | D | B+ | B+ | A |
Catalina and Saddlebrooke report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Catalina with a neighbor →
Questions about Catalina
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Catalina, AZ a good place to live?
Catalina grades C+ overall, better than 44% of U.S. towns and #59 of 139 in Arizona. It grades A− for health and B+ for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D.
Is Catalina, AZ expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.