12 Fastest Growing Cities in Arizona in 2023 (& 3 Up and Coming Cities in Arizona for 2030)

We analyzed the newly released Census data to find out the fastest growing cities in Arizona in 2023. Arizona’s population has been booming lately, so we examined which big and small cities were growing the quickest so that you can understand where you may want to head to (or avoid) next.

The Grand Canyon State has been quite popular in the last decade and it has expanded at the 10th fastest rate among all states since 2010. There are now over 7 million people living in Arizona’s peaceful desert cities and towns, which is an increase of almost 12% since 2010.

But, where have all these folks settled? Is it the big metropolitan areas like Phoenix and Tucson? Or, are they scattered across small towns that are now rapidly developing across the desert?

We made an in-depth research into the 2020 Census data and split our findings of the fastest growing areas in Arizona into two main categories:

  • Major cities with over 100,000 residents
  • Smaller cities and towns with a population of under 100,000.

We sorted our list by the change in the total population.

Also, we took a look at some of the up and coming cities in Arizona that are predicted to grow the fastest by 2030.

So, let’s find out what the fastest growing cities in Arizona in 2023 are and what cities could be next.

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6 Fastest Growing Cities in Arizona in 2023 – Population Over 100,000

6. Peoria, Arizona

2010 Population: 154,065
2020 Population: 184,363
Population Growth: +30,298 (20%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

The first entry on our list of the fastest growing areas in Arizona is Peoria, Arizona, which is about 30 minutes northwest of Phoenix. Since 2010, this city has seen some strong growth, especially after being named one of the top 50 cities to live in America by Money Magazine.

It’s easy to understand why it’s been growing so quickly, as it offers its residents many things to do, such as the historic downtown area, as well as many outdoor activities like the 23,000+ acre Lake Pleasant Regional Park.

This is the closest lake in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, which is perfect for water lovers.

Peoria is also the spring training home to the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.

5. Scottsdale, Arizona

Fastest-Growing-Cities-in-Arizona-Scottsdale

2010 Population: 217,385
2020 Population: 250,923
Population Growth: +33,538 (15%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Scottsdale is regularly rated as one of the best suburbs to live in Arizona and it has a reputation as being an upscale community with plenty of amenities for its residents.

It is filled with luxury homes, lavish resorts, and tons of golf courses.

The residents of Scottsdale have proven to be quite successful, as the average income per capita of $56,000 is almost double the national average. But, the cost of living here is quite steep, coming in at over 30% more than the rest of the US, with housing costs that are more than double the average as well.

4. Chandler, Arizona

2010 Population: 236,123
2020 Population: 271,447
Population Growth: +35,324 (15%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Chandler, Arizona is another suburb of Phoenix that has seen a rapid expansion in recent years. It is best known for being one of the more affordable, yet desirable suburbs in the region.

Meanwhile, it offers a thriving job market that is represented by numerous industries like tech, aerospace, and healthcare.

It was even named the best place to find a job by WalletHub in all of America.

Additionally, we ranked Chandler as the best place to live in Arizona in our latest list.

3. Gilbert, Arizona

2010 Population: 208,453
2020 Population: 262,866
Population Growth: +54,413 (26%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Gilbert, Arizona is a direct neighbor to Chandler and experienced the largest percentage growth out of any large city on this list over the last 10 years.

Gilbert has a great reputation as a top place to raise a family and features one of the best school systems in the area.

Its proximity to Phoenix also allows it to benefit from the state capital’s job market and entertainment scene, making it easy to see why this well-rounded place to live is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona.

2. Mesa, Arizona

2010 Population: 439,041
2020 Population: 503,522
Population Growth: +64,481 (15%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Mesa, Arizona is the 2nd largest city on this list and is the 3rd largest city in the state. It has grown in popularity due to its affordability, warm weather all year round, and overall safety.

It is another excellent place for young families, offering a top notch school system that earned an “A-” grade on Niche.com and plenty of recreation in and around the city to enjoy. There are many lakes, mountains, and hiking trails that are easily accessible from the city.

Additionally, Mesa is home to the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s spring training facilities.

1. Phoenix, Arizona

Fastest-Growing-Cities-in-Arizona-Phoenix

2010 Population: 1,445,632
2020 Population: 1,630,451
Population Growth: +184,819 (13%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

The state capital of Phoenix has been the fastest growing city in Arizona based on the total number of people that have moved there since 2010. It is the only city with over 1 million residents in Arizona and it has continued to expand for the last 10 years.

In fact, Phoenix was not just the fastest growing city in Arizona, but it was actually the fastest growing large city in all of the US.

What makes Phoenix so attractive? Where should we start? It offers 300+ days of sunshine along with a countless number of outdoor activities nearby.

Phoenix also has a strong economy with plenty of job opportunities and a thriving downtown that provides entertainment options for all ages.

Phoenix is also one of only 13 cities in the US to have a sports team in all 4 major sports. They have the Suns for basketball, the Cardinals for football, the Diamondbacks for baseball, and the Coyotes for hockey.

6 Fastest Growing Cities in Arizona in 2023 – Population Under 100,000

6. Wickenburg, Arizona

2010 Population: 6,363
2020 Population: 7,990
Population Growth: +1,627 (26%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Wickenburg is the smallest town on our list, but it may not stay that way for long. It is located about 1 hour northwest of Phoenix and offers its residents a cozy, small town feel.

There is also a historic downtown area with plenty of charm, which is especially great for young families and retirees, making it one of the fastest growing towns in Arizona.

It even made our list of the best places to live in Arizona, coming in at 15th place.

5. Sahuarita, Arizona

Fastest-Growing-Towns-in-Arizona-Sahuarita

2010 Population: 25,259
2020 Population: 32,093
Population Growth: +6,834 (27%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Sahuarita is a small community just 25 minutes south of Tucson in southern Arizona. It’s rapid expansion has been primarily driven by its affordable housing rates, which are roughly 10% lower than the US average.

It offers a quiet, relaxed pace of life that is still close to a big city, making it one of the up and coming cities in Arizona to watch out for.

4. Marana, Arizona

2010 Population: 34,961
2020 Population: 51,210
Population Growth: +16,249 (46%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Marana is a suburb of Tucson, just 25 minutes northwest by car. It’s regularly ranked as one of the best suburbs in the state and has been attracting many young professionals, families, and retirees, too.

The town has been serious about its expansion as well, with development projects going on all throughout the community to increase the number of homes and amenities that are available.

3. Goodyear, Arizona

2010 Population: 65,275
2020 Population: 92,736
Population Growth: +27,461 (42%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

This small town is not so small anymore. In fact, it will probably be over the 100,000 mark the next time that we update this article. Why is Goodyear, Arizona getting so popular?

This suburb of Phoenix is one of the up and coming cities of Arizona and is basically a smaller, more affordable version of the major suburbs in the area that have grown larger like Gilbert and Mesa.

2. Queen Creek, Arizona

2010 Population: 26,361
2020 Population: 61,640
Population Growth: +35,279 (133%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Queen Creek registered the most explosive growth percentage-wise out of any other place on this list. It has more than doubled its population over the last 10 years and we see no reason why it won’t continue to expand.

This suburb of Phoenix is about 40 minutes from downtown, but offers residents a quiet, relaxed pace of life with limited congestion and tons of space.

Additionally, the city has been investing a lot of resources into improving its infrastructure to keep up with the demand, which is very nice to see.

Homes.com even named Queen Creek the 10th best suburb to move to in all of America, making it one of the major up and coming cities in Arizona.

1. Buckeye, Arizona

2010 Population: 50,876
2020 Population: 87,337
Population Growth: +36,641 (72%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Buckeye, Arizona is the fastest growing area in Arizona under 100,000 people since 2010. It is located about 40 minutes from Downtown Phoenix and offers small town charm with many amenities.

It is a haven for nature lovers, as it sits right on the Gila River and is close to many large parks like Skyline Regional Park and Estrella Mountain Regional Park.

Fastest Growing Cities in Arizona by 2030 – Up and Coming Cities in Arizona

Now, we take a look at 3 cities that we expect to continue to expand at a rapid pace through 2030. If you are looking to take advantage of the boom before it happens, then take a serious look at these up and coming cities in Arizona.

We took the growth estimates directly from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

3. Wickenburg, Arizona

2020 Population: 7,990
2030 Population Estimated: 14,890
Population Growth Estimated: +6,900 (84%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Wickenburg already made our list earlier and we think it will continue its meteoric expansion into the next decade. It offers the perfect blend of affordable, small town coziness with proximity to Phoenix.

2. Eloy, Arizona

2020 Population: 19,625
2030 Population Estimated: 37,971
Population Growth Estimated: +18,346 (94%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

Eloy, Arizona sits right in between Phoenix and Tucson, making it a strategically located town that is perfectly suited to expand. Since it is just 1 hour from both of these major cities, residents can take advantage of double the job opportunities and entertainment amenities.

Housing is extremely affordable in this town currently, with prices that are roughly half the national average. Go check out the latest real estate offers in Eloy on Zillow.

1. Coolidge, Arizona

2020 Population: 13,130
2030 Population Estimated: 33,287
Population Growth Estimated: +20,157 (153%)
Location: Check on Google Maps

The research and estimates show that Coolidge, Arizona will be the fastest growing city in Arizona by 2030. This small town is located just north of Eloy, and is also about 1 hour from Phoenix and Tucson.

Overall cost of living is about 12% lower here than in the rest of the US, with median housing prices just over $200,000 (for now).

Summary – Fastest Growing Cities in Arizona

We hope this comprehensive list of the fastest growing cities in Arizona has given you more clarity of where you may want to head next. The whole state is booming and virtually every neighborhood in the Phoenix area is experiencing unprecedented growth.

They said, “Go west, young man.” That phrase has never been more relevant than today.