RANK #786 / 996 · POP 1,042,393 · AZ
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.5%
Saguaro National Park, known for its iconic saguaro cacti, is a prominent feature of Pima County, Arizona. Located in the south-central part of the state, Pima County is home to Tucson, its county seat and Arizona's second-largest city. The region offers a relaxed lifestyle with a strong sense of community. Commuting within the Tucson metropolitan area is facilitated by "The Loop," a 137-mile paved pathway system for non-motorized travel, connecting various parts of the county. The county's natural amenities are a major draw, with diverse ecosystems ranging from desert mountains to riparian areas. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking and biking trails in places like Tucson Mountain Park and Tortolita Mountain Park, and birdwatching, with over 400 species found annually.
Pima County attracts a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees. The public school system includes 15 districts, with some, like Catalina Foothills School District, recognized for quality education. The University of Arizona, a research institution, is also located in Tucson. The local economy is diverse, with major sectors including healthcare, social assistance, retail trade, and educational services. There is also a focus on economic development in sectors such as aerospace, manufacturing, and energy. While the area is generally considered safe, residents have expressed concerns about the high cost of living and affordable housing.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Blue Data Center Campus
Beale Infrastructure (formerly associated with Amazon Web Services)
|
$3,600M | Under Construction |
|
American Battery Factory (ABF) Gigafactory
American Battery Factory (ABF)
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
H Wilson Sundt Generating Station (Natural Gas Plant)
Tucson Electric Power Co.
|
$529M | Operating |
|
Wilmot Energy Center II
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$314M | Under Construction |
|
Roadrunner Reserve Phase 1 Battery Storage
Tucson Electric Power Co.
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Serrano Solar and Battery Storage
Longroad Energy
|
$170M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pima County has a Boom Town Index score of 21/100, ranking #786 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $64,323, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Pima County is $258,300 with median rent at $1,071/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.249, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed -2.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.08% of Pima County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.