Arizona real estate and demographic information

Arizona Demographics Information

With a population of 6.1 million, Arizona is the fastest growing state in the U.S., surpassing Nevada in 2006 after a staggering 20% increase during the previous five years. This growth is partly attributable to immigration and high birth rates, but also reflects a larger movement of Americans into the so-called "Sunbelt States" since the 1990s. Arizona's population boom is due largely to the development, after World War II, of affordable air conditioning systems, which made the extreme climate more inhabitable.

Arizona Climate and Topography

Arizona's heat is legendary - in the lower elevations, the average temperature between May and August ranges from 90F to 120F, and temperature swings of 50F from day to night are common. The climate moderates in the higher elevations, with milder summers and cold winters. In fact, Arizona claims the metropolitan area with the most days over 100F (Phoenix) and the metropolitan area (excluding Alaska) with the most days below freezing (Flagstaff). On average, Arizona receives just over 7 inches of rainfall in a year, making it the driest state in the U.S.

Arizona boasts a stunning landscape, from the Colorado Plateau in the north to the Sonora Desert in the southwest and the mountains of the southeast. The state is home to 22 national parks and monuments, most famously the Grand Canyon, an awe-inspiring river-carved gorge listed as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. More than 5 million visitors travel to the Grand Canyon annually, representing a major portion of the state's $13.7 billion tourism industry. Other natural wonders drawing tourists to Arizona include the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and Lake Mead, a recreational bonanza created by the construction of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in 1936.

Arizona Economy and Industry

Aside from its scenic attractions, Arizona's economy depends on copper mining, producing more than 60% of the U.S total, cattle ranching, and irrigated farming of heat-loving crops such as cotton, lettuce, and citrus fruits. First explored by Spanish conquistadors looking for "cities of gold" in the 1500s, Arizona still mines significant amounts of gold and silver and ranks second in the U.S. in gemstone production.

Arizona Culture and Diversity

Arizona's culture is strongly influenced by Native Americans and Mexican Americans. The state has 14 Indian tribes living on 20 reservations, and nearly 2% of Arizona residents speak primarily the Navajo language at home. Additionally, the Hispanic population is growing so quickly that, if current trends continue, Arizona will become a majority-minority state by 2035. In 2003, for the first time, Hispanic births in Arizona surpassed white non-Hispanic births.