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Arizona State: Population, Rankings, and Facts

#31 in Overall Ranking out of 50 in 2021

Situated in the southwestern region of the US, Arizona is one of the biggest states. It ranks as the sixth-largest by area and has the 14th biggest population. This land is well-known as the home of the Grand Canyon and other iconic natural landscapes. It became the 48th state of the Union in February of 1912.

Updated: March 31, 2021
  • Area
    113,990 SQ. MI.
  • Capital
    Phoenix
  • Population
    7,278,717
  • Income
    $56,581
  • Home Value
    $315,554
  • Crime
    33,141
  • Unemployment
    6.8%
  • Education
    28.4%
  • Medicine
    29
  • Poverty
    13.9%
  • Environment
    0
  • Infrastructure
    3.1%

One of the largest states by area, Arizona, is part of the US’s Four Corners region. It has borders with five other American states. It also borders Mexico to the south and southwest.

It became a state in 1912. Before that, it was in the Alta California territory of New Spain and was also joined with Mexico for many years. In 1848, after the Mexican-American War, Mexico gave up most of the region to the US.

AZ was a hub of activity during the late 19th century, which continued into the early 20th century. It was a key mining location, playing a part in the development of the so-called Wild West.

After World War II, the population began to grow. Cities like Phoenix saw plenty of evolution. According to the last census, Phoenix is the only state capital in 2021, with a population exceeding a million people. It is a key location for business and home to many startups and large companies, and major universities.

Other parts of this region are known for their natural beauty. The state is the Grand Canyon’s home, one of the most-visited natural monuments on the planet. There are also many other national parks here, along with Native American reservations.

AZ is also famous for its weather. It has a sweltering, desert climate in the south, with milder temperatures further north. This gives the region very diverse geography. To the north, one can find forests and mountains, while desert sands dominate the south.

The flag features red and yellow rays along the top, with a solid blue bottom half and a copper-colored star in the center. Nicknames include the Grand Canyon State and the Copper State. The official abbreviation is AZ.

How We Figured Out Which Were the Best States To Live In

Lots of facts and figures are required to identify the best states to live in the US. This information has to be collected from trusted, reputable sources. Data in this article was gathered from noted organizations like the FBI and the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Department of Labor statistics has also been used. It’s also important to use environmental data from organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Health statistics from the United Health Foundation are also needed.

Arizona Rankings

  • Population
    #14
    Population
    Data: 7,278,717

    The Arizona population is the 14th largest in the US. It is approximately 18% of the population of California, but more than double that of Nevada. The high population count is a good indicator of future success in AZ, as greater populations typically result in more workers and business competition.

  • Median Income
    #11
    Income in $
    Data: $56,581

    The median income is close to the average around the United States. People in AZ can enjoy a comfortable life, but incomes vary depending on the industry. The biggest sources of employment include transportation, government, education, and business services. Some of the biggest employers in 2021 are Walmart and Banner Health.

  • Home Value
    #16
    Home Value
    Data: $315,554

    The average home value here is higher than the national average. Modern-style homes are popular in AZ. The local architecture is also often influenced by Spanish, Mexican, and Mediterranean themes. Rental rates vary depending on location. For instance, rental costs are high in cities like Phoenix but lower in rural regions.

  • Unemployment Rate
    #35
    Unemployment
    Data: 6.8%

    The Arizona unemployment rate is one of the highest nationwide. All of the surrounding states, except New Mexico, have lower unemployment levels. However, new jobs are being created regularly, especially in industries like education and tech. This can help to reduce the difficulty of finding a job for locals.

  • Poverty
    #37
    Poverty
    Data: 13.9%

    The poverty rate is one of the highest in the United States. This makes AZ an impoverished state in some respects. There are many low-income workers there. However, the rate has been declining in recent years due to new working opportunities.

  • Education
    #31
    Education
    Data: 28.4%

    Many people here have some form of higher education. However, the Arizona education rate is slightly lower than the national average around the USs. Despite this, the state has some excellent educational institutions. Arizona State University, for example, is highly rated by academic experts.

  • Medicine
    #30
    Medicine
    Health Outcomes: 29

    Health insurance is common in the region. Neighboring states such as California and New Mexico have higher rates of insurance. Healthcare is one of the biggest sectors in AZ. It’s also one of the fastest-growing. Therefore, health standards are expected to improve in AZ in the future.

  • Crime Rate
    #43
    Crime
    Violent Crime: 33,141

    People living here are at a relatively high risk of crime. The rate of violent crime is much higher than in almost all neighboring states. Rape numbers are immense in AZ, along with aggravated assault and property crimes in city areas. Robberies and motor vehicle thefts are also quite high compared to other parts of the US.

  • Natural Environment
    #21
    Environment
    Air: 0

    AZ performs well in most categories regarding environmental health and safety. There are some issues with drinking water in certain areas, like big city locations such as Phoenix and Tucson. The level of air pollution is deficient. General water quality is mostly good, and there aren't high amounts of hazardous waste compared to local states.

  • Infrastructure
    #4
    Infrastructure
    Poor Roads: 3.1%

    The state has excellent infrastructure. The roads are almost entirely in excellent condition, especially in urban environments like Phoenix. Bridges are mostly dependable and structurally sound too. Despite this, the average amount of highway spending per driver is relatively low. Commute times in AZ average at 25.60 minutes.

Arizona Facts

  • The AZ motto is ‘Ditat Deus’, which means ‘God enriches.’
  •  The official anthem is ‘The Arizona March Song.’
  • The state bird is the Cactus Wren.
  • The state flower is the Saguaro Cactus Blossom.
  • The state tree is the Palo Verde.
  • Around 85% of the land comprises state parks, national forests, recreational areas, and reservations.
  • AZ is bigger than the whole of New England.
  • The State Capitol in Phoenix is made almost entirely of indigenous materials like copper and granite.
  • Travel and tourism are popular in AZ, with tens of millions of visitors each year.
  • Twenty-two different tribes are living here.
  • The sales tax and the property tax at 5.60% and 0.67% are average countrywide.
  • The longest stretch of Ponderosa Pines can be found in the northern section of AZ.
  •  The driver’s license is decorated with an image of the Grand Canyon.
  • Gun laws are relatively relaxed, with all residents aged 21 and older allowed to own, buy, and carry firearms without any permit.
  • Zip codes all start with the number 8, ranging from 85001 to 86556.
  • There are 15 Arizona counties.
  • Wildfires are common due to the heat.

Arizona in Photos

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Arizona Phoenix Downtown
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FAQ Section

  • Where Is Arizona?

    AZ can be found in the southwestern part of the US. It’s part of both the Western and Mountain regions. It is also a member of the Four Corners collection of states. It is bordered by Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Mexico.

  • What Time Zone Is Arizona?

    It is in the Mountain Time Zone. This is calculated as UTC -07:00. Unlike many other states, most of AZ does not observe daylight savings. So, in the summer, most of AZ is on Pacific Time.

  • How Many Counties In the Copper State?

    There are 15 counties in total. Examples include Maricopa County, which has the highest population, and Pima County. All of the counties, except La Paz, were created before 1912. La Paz County, meanwhile, was founded in 1913, one year after AZ joined the US.

  • What Is Minimum Wage In Arizona?

    In 2021, the minimum wage is $12.15 per hour. This is higher than the federal average. AZ’s minimum wage is one of the highest in the United States’ entirety, appearing in the top 10 largest. This is good news for young workers.

  • What Is AZ Known For?

    It is known for many things. It’s most commonly associated with the Grand Canyon, one of the most visited and photographed natural monuments globally. Others flock to AZ to enjoy other natural locations like parks and monuments. The region is also famed for its Old West associations, along with its mining industry. The climate and geography are unique aspects of this part of the United States.

  • What To Do In AZ?

    Many activities can be enjoyed here. It’s prevalent for people to head straight for the Grand Canyon. There, one can hike, camp, kayak, take helicopter rides, and more. It’s also possible to explore many other scenic landscapes, enjoying various outdoor activities from skiing to fishing. There are also many attractions, museums, and sites of interest in cities like Phoenix. The State Capitol is a commonly-visited building, and there are various historical locations to be found too.