Thursday,
July 24, 2008
July 24, 2008
Projected Population Growth | ||
| City/Area | 1990 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3,665,228 | 5,553,849 |
| Maricopa County | 2,122,101 | 3,329,561 |
| Avondale | 16,169 | 32,543 |
| Buckeye | 4,436 | 22,353 |
| Carefree | 1,666 | 3,431 |
| Cave Creek | 2,925 | 6,259 |
| Chandler | 90,533 | 198,252 |
| El Mirage | 5,001 | 5,914 |
| Fountain Hills | 10,030 | 25,764 |
| Gilbert | 29,188 | 132,812 |
| Glendale | 148,134 | 237,178 |
| Goodyear | 6,258 | 28,204 |
| Litchfield Park | 3,303 | 6,517 |
| Mesa | 288,091 | 480,164 |
| Paradise Valley | 11,674 | 13,344 |
| Peoria | 50,168 | 126,408 |
| Phoenix | 983,403 | 1,415,330 |
| Queen Creek | 2,667 | 10,695 |
| Scottsdale | 130,069 | 214,090 |
| Sun City | 38,126 | 42,457 |
| Sun City West | 15,997 | 32,107 |
| Surprise | 7,122 | 37,245 |
| Tempe | 141,865 | 170,399 |
| Tolleson | 4,434 | 4,725 |
| Youngtown | 2,542 | 2,799 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Arizona Department of Economic Security, Population Statistics Unit | ||
Metropolitan Phoenix encompasses a number of neighborhoods, communities, cities, and towns -- all located in Maricopa County. More than half of the state's population resides within the county's sprawling 9,222 square mile area, including the major cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Peoria, and Gilbert. The Valley of the Sun is home to a thriving high-tech industry as well as manufacturing and agricultural industries, many institutions of higher learning that include Arizona State University, and one of the busiest airports in the entire world. In recent decades, the Metropolitan Phoenix communities have experienced exponential growth and quality development -- residential and economic.
The demographic information criteria included here are ¤ Projected Population Growth, ¤ Major Valley Employers, ¤ Cost Of Living Comparison, ¤ Age Categories and ¤ Weather.
The demographic information criteria included here are ¤ Projected Population Growth, ¤ Major Valley Employers, ¤ Cost Of Living Comparison, ¤ Age Categories and ¤ Weather.
Age Categories
Youthful Arizona - Although the Valley of the Sun has long enjoyed a reputation as a haven for retirees, the age distribution in Maricopa County is remarkably true to that of the nation's. In fact, the county's percentage of youthful residents is slightly higher than the same age group on a national level. The percentage of seniors in Arizona is slightly lower than the same age group nationally.

Major Valley Employers
American Express
www.americanexpress.com
Travel/Financial
www.americanexpress.com
Travel/Financial
America West Holdings
www.americawest.com
Commercial Airline
www.americawest.com
Commercial Airline
Arizona State University
www.asu.edu
Higher Education
www.asu.edu
Higher Education
Banc One Corp.
www.bankone.com
Financial Services
www.bankone.com
Financial Services
Banner Health System
www.bannerhealth.com
Healthcare
www.bannerhealth.com
Healthcare
Basha's, Inc.
www.bashas.com
Retail Food
www.bashas.com
Retail Food
Honeywell
www.honeywell.com
Aviation/Control
www.honeywell.com
Aviation/Control
Intel
www.intel.com
Microelectronics Manufacturing
www.intel.com
Microelectronics Manufacturing
The Kroger Co.
www.kroger.com
Retail Food
www.kroger.com
Retail Food
Maricopa County
www.maricopa.gov
Government
www.maricopa.gov
Government
Mesa Public Schools
www.mpsaz.org
Education
www.mpsaz.org
Education
Motorola
www.motorola.com
Electronics, Manufacturing
www.motorola.com
Electronics, Manufacturing
City of Phoenix
www.phoenix.gov
Government
www.phoenix.gov
Government
Qwest
www.qwest.com
Telecommunications
www.qwest.com
Telecommunications
Safeway, Inc.
www.safeway.com
Retail Food
www.safeway.com
Retail Food
State of Arizona
www.az.gov
Government
www.az.gov
Government
Tosco Marketing
www.tosco.com
Convenience Food/Gas
www.tosco.com
Convenience Food/Gas
U.S. Postal Service
www.usps.com
Mail Delivery
www.usps.com
Mail Delivery
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
www.walmart.com
Discount Retail
www.walmart.com
Discount Retail
Wells Fargo Bank
www.wellsfargo.com
Financial Services
www.wellsfargo.com
Financial Services
Cost of Living Comparison 4th Quarter 2004 Data (ACCRA) | |||||||
| Metro Area | Comp. 100% | Groc. 14% | Housing 29% | Utilities 10% | Transport. 10% | Health 4% | Misc. 33% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (Manhattan), NY | 211.6 | 132.8 | 387.4 | 147.7 | 116.9 | 142.5 | 138.9 |
| San Francisco, CA | 183.6 | 149.4 | 311.8 | 103.2 | 121.7 | 128.2 | 129.4 |
| San Jose, CA | 168.9 | 139.0 | 264.4 | 119.4 | 130.2 | 141.7 | 124.0 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 156.4 | 125.7 | 251.9 | 115.9 | 114.8 | 105.8 | 112.8 |
| San Diego, CA | 147.7 | 125.5 | 222.1 | 90.6 | 127.3 | 124.3 | 114.7 |
| Washington, DC | 144.5 | 125.7 | 208.2 | 98.4 | 120.8 | 137.6 | 115.5 |
| Boston, MA | 138.6 | 119.9 | 178.6 | 135.8 | 107.6 | 150.4 | 118.6 |
| Chicago, IL | 130.3 | 118.5 | 165.8 | 107.2 | 108.4 | 128.8 | 115.9 |
| Seattle, WA | 119.1 | 110.1 | 132.1 | 107.0 | 120.1 | 145.6 | 111.0 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 118.7 | 118.2 | 124.1 | 127.6 | 107.6 | 105.3 | 116.4 |
| Portland, OR | 112.8 | 123.4 | 106.2 | 117.4 | 110.4 | 136.3 | 111.1 |
| Miami, FL | 111.3 | 103.9 | 131.2 | 94.6 | 104.7 | 125.6 | 101.2 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 109.3 | 98.9 | 116.5 | 114.5 | 106.0 | 113.9 | 106.0 |
| Detroit, MI | 107.5 | 101.0 | 122.7 | 104.6 | 105.9 | 107.6 | 98.1 |
| Denver, CO | 103.3 | 106.2 | 108.7 | 82.2 | 96.4 | 120.6 | 102.7 |
| Cleveland, OH | 101.3 | 112.0 | 98.1 | 119.6 | 101.1 | 96.3 | 95.8 |
| Richmond, VA | 100.5 | 108.1 | 98.9 | 99.3 | 98.3 | 83.1 | 101.8 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 98.7 | 98.2 | 94.7 | 94.4 | 108.2 | 106.6 | 100.2 |
| Tampa, FL | 98.6 | 94.9 | 101.8 | 92.8 | 100.8 | 103.8 | 97.5 |
| St. Louis, MO | 98.1 | 101.8 | 93.1 | 99.3 | 99.2 | 114.8 | 98.6 |
| Atlanta, GA | 96.5 | 95.4 | 90.7 | 86.9 | 102.3 | 110.7 | 101.2 |
| Orlando, FL | 95.8 | 98.1 | 92.1 | 97.2 | 100.0 | 86.0 | 97.7 |
| Austin, TX | 95.0 | 87.3 | 87.6 | 91.4 | 98.8 | 100.4 | 103.5 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 94.6 | 97.5 | 85.0 | 97.5 | 113.5 | 81.5 | 97.8 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 94.1 | 86.6 | 88.8 | 108.7 | 101.5 | 92.6 | 95.8 |
| Raleigh-Durham, NC | 92.7 | 100.0 | 79.4 | 105.1 | 92.4 | 103.2 | 97.1 |
| Huntsville, AL | 92.7 | 93.3 | 79.8 | 90.1 | 102.7 | 85.4 | 102.6 |
| Charlotte, NC | 92.3 | 93.5 | 80.3 | 80.5 | 100.7 | 111.4 | 100.9 |
| Dallas, TX | 91.5 | 91.8 | 79.2 | 97.2 | 104.8 | 99.8 | 96.2 |
| Houston, TX | 88.0 | 83.7 | 72.0 | 99.2 | 103.1 | 102.4 | 94.8 |
Valley Weather
Glorious sunny winters, balmy autumn days, and the pervasive perfume of springtime blooms are all a part of the seasonal changes in the Valley of the Sun. From October through April, the daytime temperatures range from mid 60s to mid 80s, melting in the glow of spectacular sunsets into cool desert nights. Occasional rain and thunderstorms occur primarily during the winter months, but snow is extremely rare and short-lived -- even in the Valley's higher elevations.
Desert temperatures rise above the 100-degree mark from June through early September, although Arizona's characteristic low humidity adds to the comfort level. Virtually every environment is air-conditioned, from homes and automobiles to businesses and entertainment establishments. Many cafes or restaurants with outdoor seating provide cooling ‘misters’ that encourage residents to enjoy the sun-drenched climate on all but the hottest of summer days.
Desert temperatures rise above the 100-degree mark from June through early September, although Arizona's characteristic low humidity adds to the comfort level. Virtually every environment is air-conditioned, from homes and automobiles to businesses and entertainment establishments. Many cafes or restaurants with outdoor seating provide cooling ‘misters’ that encourage residents to enjoy the sun-drenched climate on all but the hottest of summer days.
National Weather Service
Phoenix Home Page
www.wrh.noaa.gov/Phoenix/
Phoenix Home Page
www.wrh.noaa.gov/Phoenix/