Fastest growing cities in Arizona
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. San Luis
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +11,428
--- #451 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 48.0%
--- #82 among cities in Arizona, #2,318 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 35,257
--- #32 largest city in Arizona, #1,253 largest city nationwide
#19. Sahuarita
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +12,527
--- #396 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 58.0%
--- #69 among cities in Arizona, #1,838 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 34,134
--- #33 largest city in Arizona, #1,309 largest city nationwide
#18. Flagstaff
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +12,922
--- #380 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 20.2%
--- #134 among cities in Arizona, #5,571 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 76,831
--- #16 largest city in Arizona, #493 largest city nationwide
#17. Tempe
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +16,440
--- #276 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.0%
--- #181 among cities in Arizona, #8,881 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 180,587
--- #9 largest city in Arizona, #148 largest city nationwide
#16. Glendale
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +18,638
--- #231 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.1%
--- #188 among cities in Arizona, #9,790 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 248,325
--- #6 largest city in Arizona, #91 largest city nationwide
#15. Avondale
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +19,060
--- #223 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 27.1%
--- #113 among cities in Arizona, #4,248 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 89,334
--- #15 largest city in Arizona, #397 largest city nationwide
#14. Marana
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +20,465
--- #198 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 65.1%
--- #61 among cities in Arizona, #1,578 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 51,908
--- #23 largest city in Arizona, #824 largest city nationwide
#13. Scottsdale
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,591
--- #170 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.3%
--- #179 among cities in Arizona, #8,731 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 241,361
--- #7 largest city in Arizona, #93 largest city nationwide
#12. Maricopa
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +23,316
--- #161 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 67.0%
--- #60 among cities in Arizona, #1,532 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 58,125
--- #19 largest city in Arizona, #725 largest city nationwide
#11. Tucson
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +24,172
--- #149 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.7%
--- #212 among cities in Arizona, #11,808 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 542,629
--- #2 largest city in Arizona, #32 largest city nationwide
#10. San Tan Valley
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +35,809
--- #87 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 55.9%
--- #72 among cities in Arizona, #1,925 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 99,894
--- #11 largest city in Arizona, #335 largest city nationwide
#9. Queen Creek
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +36,464
--- #84 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 158.2%
--- #26 among cities in Arizona, #474 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 59,519
--- #18 largest city in Arizona, #702 largest city nationwide
#8. Goodyear
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +37,425
--- #80 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 64.7%
--- #63 among cities in Arizona, #1,595 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 95,294
--- #13 largest city in Arizona, #357 largest city nationwide
#7. Surprise
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +39,381
--- #76 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 38.0%
--- #95 among cities in Arizona, #2,999 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 143,148
--- #10 largest city in Arizona, #194 largest city nationwide
#6. Peoria
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +42,283
--- #69 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 28.4%
--- #110 among cities in Arizona, #4,056 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 190,985
--- #8 largest city in Arizona, #137 largest city nationwide
#5. Chandler
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +46,456
--- #60 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 20.2%
--- #133 among cities in Arizona, #5,564 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 275,987
--- #4 largest city in Arizona, #77 largest city nationwide
#4. Buckeye
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +47,580
--- #56 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 108.3%
--- #39 among cities in Arizona, #778 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 91,502
--- #14 largest city in Arizona, #380 largest city nationwide
#3. Mesa
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +64,619
--- #39 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 14.7%
--- #160 among cities in Arizona, #7,071 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 504,258
--- #3 largest city in Arizona, #36 largest city nationwide
#2. Gilbert
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +72,872
--- #34 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 37.4%
--- #97 among cities in Arizona, #3,049 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 267,918
--- #5 largest city in Arizona, #81 largest city nationwide
#1. Phoenix
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +157,933
--- #6 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.9%
--- #176 among cities in Arizona, #8,483 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 1,608,139
--- #1 largest city in Arizona, #5 largest city nationwide
