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Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1,608,139 residents as of 2020. It is the fifth-most populous city in the United States and the most populous state capital in the country.

Phoenix is the most populous city of the Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, which in turn is part of the Salt River Valley and Arizona Sun Corridor. The metro area is the 10th-largest by population in the United States with approximately 4.85 million people as of 2020, making it the most populous in the Southwestern United States. Phoenix, the seat of Maricopa County, is the largest city by population and area in Arizona, with an area of 517.9 square miles (1,341 km2), and is also the 11th-largest city by area in the United States.

Phoenix was settled in 1867 as an agricultural community near the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers and was incorporated as a city in 1881. It became the capital of Arizona Territory in 1889. Its canal system led to a thriving farming community with the original settlers' crops, such as alfalfa, cotton, citrus, and hay, remaining important parts of the local economy for decades. Cotton, cattle, citrus, climate, and copper were known locally as the "Five C's" anchoring Phoenix's economy. These remained the driving forces of the city until after World War II, when high-tech companies began to move into the valley and air conditioning made Phoenix's hot summers more bearable.

Phoenix is the cultural center of Arizona. It is in the northeastern reaches of the Sonoran Desert and is known for its hot desert climate. The region's gross domestic product reached over $362 billion by 2022. The city averaged a four percent annual population growth rate over a 40-year period from the mid-1960s to the mid-2000s, and was among the nation's ten most populous cities by 1980. Phoenix is also one of the largest plurality-Hispanic cities in the United States, with 42% of its population being Hispanic.

Phoenix is in the south-central portion of Arizona; about halfway between Tucson to the southeast and Flagstaff to the north, in the southwestern United States. By car, the city is approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of the US–Mexico border at Sonoyta and 180 mi (290 km) north of the border at Nogales. The metropolitan area is known as the "Valley of the Sun" due to its location in the Salt River Valley. It lies at a mean elevation of 1,086 feet (331 m), in the northern reaches of the Sonoran Desert.

Other than the mountains in and around the city, Phoenix's topography is generally flat, which allows the city's main streets to run on a precise grid with wide, open-spaced roadways. Scattered, low mountain ranges surround the valley: McDowell Mountains to the northeast, the White Tank Mountains to the west, the Superstition Mountains far to the east, and both South Mountain and the Sierra Estrella to the south/southwest. Camelback Mountain, North Mountain, Sunnyslope Mountain, and Piestewa Peak are within the heart of the valley. The city's outskirts have large fields of irrigated cropland and Native American reservation lands. The Salt River runs westward through Phoenix, but the riverbed is often dry or contains little water due to large irrigation diversions. South Mountain separates the community of Ahwatukee from the rest of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 517.9 sq mi (1,341 km2), of which 516.7 sq mi (1,338 km2) is land and 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2), or 0.2%, is water.

Maricopa County grew by 711% from 186,000 in 1940 to 1,509,000 by 1980, due in part to air conditioning, cheap housing, and an influx of retirees. The once "modest urban sprawl" now "grew by 'epic' proportions—not only a myriad of residential tract developments on both farmland and desert." Retail outlets and office complexes spread out and did not concentrate in the small downtown area. There was low population density and a lack of widespread and significant high-rise development. As a consequence Phoenix became a textbook case of urban sprawl for geographers. Even though it is the fifth most populated city in the United States, the large area gives it a low density rate of approximately 2,797 people per square mile. In comparison, Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city with nearly the same population as Phoenix, has a density of over 11,000 people per square mile.

Like most of Arizona, Phoenix does not observe daylight saving time. In 1973, Governor Jack Williams argued to the U.S. Congress that energy use would increase in the evening should Arizona observe DST. He went on to say energy use would also rise early in the day "because there would be more lights on in the early morning." Additionally, he said daylight saving time would cause children to go to school in the dark.

Banner Health is a non-profit health system in the United States, based in Phoenix. It operates 23 hospitals as well as specialized facilities. Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is the world's largest dedicated neurosurgical center and a leader in neurosurgical training, research, and patient care. There are also health and wellness centers and programs available. Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour gym with cardio and strength training equipment, as well as virtual training options. YMCA of Southern Arizona - Lohse Family YMCA provides fitness facilities, group exercise classes, swimming pools, and youth programs for members. Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa offers a variety of massages, facials, and other spa treatments designed to rejuvenate your body and mind. Naz Massage provides a tranquil environment for massage therapy, skincare, and body treatments, helping you unwind and pamper yourself. 

Top sites in Phoenix, AZ are Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Musical Instrument Museum, and Phoenix Zoo.

Population: 1.65 million (2023). ZIP codes: 85001–85024, 85026-85046, 85048, 85050-85051, 85053-85054, 85060-85076, 85078-85080, 85082-85083, 85085-85087. Area codes: East: 480; Central: 602; West: 623. Elevation: 1,086 ft (331 m). Area: 517.9 sq mi (1,341 km2).

FAQs

Is Phoenix, AZ expensive or cheap?

The cost of living in Phoenix, AZ is 3% lower than the state average and 2% higher than the national average. Phoenix, AZ housing is 17% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 2% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 9% less in Phoenix, AZ than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 9% less. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 6% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 9% cheaper in Phoenix, AZ.

Is Phoenix Arizona a nice place to live?

As the state’s capital city and fifth largest city in the U.S. Phoenix is a thriving area of Arizona that offers a strong economy with plenty of job opportunities, beautiful sunny weather, and urban communities with numerous amenities. With an average home value of around $416,600, it’s easier to find affordable homes in Phoenix than it is in other parts of the state, as the average home value is slightly lower than Arizona’s average. Along with the affordable prices, you can also find a variety of communities and home styles throughout Phoenix to accommodate your needs.

What is Phoenix, AZ known for?

The city has many performing arts venues, most of which are in and around downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale. The Phoenix Symphony Hall is home to the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the Arizona Opera, and Ballet Arizona. The Arizona Opera Company also has intimate performances at its new Arizona Opera Center, which opened in March 2013. Another venue is the Orpheum Theatre, home to the Phoenix Opera. Ballet Arizona, in addition to the Symphony Hall, also has performances at the Orpheum Theatre and the Dorrance Theater.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Phoenix

Banner Health

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center

Anytime Fitness

YMCA of Southern Arizona - Lohse Family YMCA

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa 

Naz Massage

Desert Botanical Garden

Phoenix Art Museum

Musical Instrument Museum

Phoenix Zoo

Rent Cafe

PODS

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.