Presentation: Sedona population ~10,048 in 2025, median age 64.1; council flagged affordability concerns

City staff presented a six‑slide demographic update that councilors said reframed the housing problem. The presenter said Sedona's estimated 2025 population is about 10,048 and reported a median age of 64.1, noting that people 65 and older are projected to become the majority by 2030. The presenter attributed the estimates to Esri and five‑year American Community Survey data and described the figures as professional estimates that should be verified by the next decennial census.

Staff highlighted household structure (average household size ~1.9, more than one‑third of households single‑person), a wealth index the presenter described as 155 (with 100 = U.S. average), and a housing affordability index of about 40 (where 100 would indicate a median household could afford the median home). The presenter said the typical mortgage share in Sedona would require about 64.5% of median household income — well above benchmark affordability thresholds.

The demographic details framed later discussions: council members and staff spoke about how an older resident profile and limited affordable housing stock affect school enrollment, the availability of workforce housing and long‑term community composition. One councilor pressed staff to include scenario consequences — for example, how different housing mixes would impact the school district and local services.

The presenter also cited commuting patterns: about 80.2% of the Sedona workforce commutes in from surrounding communities, with top origins including Cottonwood, Verde Village, Village of Oak Creek, Phoenix and Flagstaff. Council members said that workforce commuting and unaffordability strengthen the need for focused housing solutions in the city.

The council asked staff to build on the demographics data when preparing housing scenarios and to confirm the underlying datasets and assumptions in the materials returned at the March study session.