Community Profile for
Phoenix
As the sixth largest city in the United States by
population, Phoenix is the center for financial,
commercial, cultural, entertainment and government
activities in the State of Arizona. Phoenix is Arizona’s
capital and the county seat of Maricopa County with
more than 515 square miles. It offers more than 300
sun-filled days a year, and an average temperature of
74.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Phoenix’s explosive growth
began during World War II when military airfields were
built in Maricopa County and many defense industries
followed. The name Phoenix, legendary Egyptian
symbol of rebirth, was chosen because the city was built
on the ruins of the Hohokam Indian civilization.
Principal Economic Activities
Phoenix has a diversified and dynamic economic base.
High-tech manufacturing is a leading sector with
electronics, defense and aeronautics as strong
economic drivers. As the 10th busiest airport in the
country, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is an
important component of Phoenix's economy with more
than 1,200 aircraft arrivals and departures and
approximately 800 tons of air cargo daily. In addition,
Phoenix has a 30-acre urban medical and bioscience
campus in the heart of downtown known as the Phoenix
Biomedical Campus. Major corporations with corporate headquarters in Phoenix include Freeport
McMoRan, Avnet, Swift, and PetSmart.
Scenic Attractions
Professional sports flourish here: Diamondbacks (MLB), Cardinals (NFL), Suns (NBA), Coyotes (NHL), and
Mercury (WNBA). Spring Cactus Major League Baseball teams in Phoenix include the Chicago White Sox,
LA Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Oakland Athletics. Downtown Phoenix is home to state-of-the-art
Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix Symphony Hall, U.S. Airways Center, Chase Field, Herberger and
Orpheum theaters, Arizona Science Center, and the Phoenix Art Museum. There are more than 47 art
galleries gathered in the Downtown Phoenix Art’s District, 17 libraries, and 15 museums.
Community Facilities
With more than 138 parks, including seven mountain areas, South Mountain is one of the world’s largest
municipal parks with horseback riding, hiking trails and a fabulous view of the City. Papago Park
accomodates the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Gardens, and an 18-hole golf course.
Copyright © 2017 Arizona Commerce Authority | Last Updated 8/26/2015
333 North Central Ave., Suite 1900 | Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 602-845-1200 | [email protected] | www.azcommerce.com
Community Profile for
Phoenix, Arizona
BASIC INFORMATION
Founded:
Elevation:
1867
1,117 ft.
LABOR FORCE
Incorporated:
Location:
Distance to major cities:
Phoenix:
miles
Tucson:
111 miles
Las Vegas:
287 miles
1881
Maricopa County
San Diego:
Los Angeles:
355 miles
372 miles
POPULATION
Phoenix
Maricopa County
State of Arizona
1990
987,285
2,130,400
3,680,800
2000
1,321,045
3,072,149
5,130,632
2014 (est.)
1,506,439
4,008,651
6,667,241
Arizona Dept. of Administration - azstats.gov
Civilian Labor Force
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
1990
541,574
26,746
4.9%
2000
684,953
26,565
3.9%
2014
738,605
45,452
6.2%
Arizona Dept. of Administration - azstats.gov
WORKFORCE EDUCATION ATTAINMENT
Less than high school
High school or equivalent, no college
Some college or Associate degree
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree
Count
177,392
217,931
277,315
240,373
Share
19.4%
23.9%
30.4%
26.3%
Census Bureau - Fact Finder
INDUSTRY (RANKED BY EMPLOYMENT)
PROPERTY TAX
1990
7.87
1.85
3.51
13.23
Elementary / High School
City / Fire District
Maricopa County
Totals (Maricopa County)
2000
11.76
1.82
3.35
16.93
2014
11.34
1.82
3.88
17.04
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
SALES TAX / TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX
Phoenix
Maricopa County
State
2.00%
0.70%
5.60%
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
Count Share
Education, health care & social assistance
129,366 19.7%
Professional, scientific, & administrative
92,535 14.1%
services
Retail trade
76,103 11.6%
Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services
67,700 10.3%
Finance, insurance & real estate
63,123 9.6%
Construction
50,084 7.6%
Manufacturing
49,874 7.6%
Other services, except public administration
34,331 5.2%
Transportation, warehousing, & utilities
33,195 5.1%
Public administration
26,179 4.0%
Wholesale trade
17,179 2.6%
Information
13,204 2.0%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining
2,623 0.4%
Census Bureau - Fact Finder
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact:
City of Phoenix
200 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-262-5040
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.phoenix.gov
Greater Phoenix Chamber of
Commerce
201 N. Central Ave., 27th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-495-2195
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.phoenixchamber.com
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
2 N. Central Avenue, Suite 2500
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-256-7700
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.gpec.org
Copyright © 2017 Arizona Commerce Authority | Last Updated 8/26/2015
333 North Central Ave., Suite 1900 | Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 602-845-1200 | [email protected] | www.azcommerce.com