Maricopa
Arizona

What stands out

What stands out about Maricopa County: winter sunshine is among the sunniest in America (2.9 on the USDA scale), rainfall is among the driest in America (8 inches a year), and the average temperature is in the top 2% of American counties (73°F). Within Arizona it ranks 8th of 15 counties for winter sunshine.

Where you are

You live in Maricopa County, Arizona. 4,430,871 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,179).

Arizona moved to a flat 2.5% income tax in 2023, one of the lowest flat rates in the country. Phoenix summers run above 110°F for weeks, water rights and groundwater limits now shape where new housing can be built, and the state does not observe daylight saving time. Flagstaff and the high country are a different climate entirely.

Money

The typical household here brings in $80,675 a year, higher than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $73,840. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 53% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

Arizona takes 2.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,017 a year.

Home

The median home costs $463K, pricier than 91% of American counties, about 3.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,414 a month. Property tax is 0.51% of home value, roughly $1,883 a year on that median home, lower than 87% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 32 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.2 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 13,944 active physicians in the county, about 31.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.2 of 5 stars. 12.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 5 points. 69% of eligible voters turned out. Under Arizona law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 73°F, highs near 87 and lows near 59, warmer than 98% of American counties. About 8 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 97 out of 100, riskier than 97% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 278 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There are 37 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 43 breweries, 34 museums.