Payson
RANK #539 / 996 NAT · #4 / 11 AZ · POP 53,419
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Gila County, Arizona, is distinguished by its diverse landscapes, ranging from saguaro-dotted deserts to pine forests beneath the Mogollon Rim. Located in central Arizona, about 90 minutes from Phoenix, the county offers a blend of remote natural beauty and accessible communities. Payson, the largest town, serves as a hub in the northern part of the county. Residents and visitors enjoy extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, camping, and boating at Roosevelt Lake and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The Tonto National Forest, encompassing nearly 3 million acres, provides year-round opportunities for exploring canyons, wilderness areas, and diverse wildlife.
Life in Gila County often appeals to those seeking a connection to nature and a sense of community, with many residents owning their homes. While some families have deep roots, the county's population continues to see steady growth. The economy, historically reliant on mining and ranching, has diversified to include education, healthcare, tourism, retail, and construction. Public transportation options like the Beeline Bus in Payson and Copper Mountain Transit in the Globe-Miami area provide local commute alternatives.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Gila County scores 45/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#539). Median household income is $55,242 and job growth is running at +6.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Gila County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $222,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $966/month on average.
Employers in Gila County are hiring — job growth of +6.7% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved -1.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
In significant numbers — 6.77% of Gila County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.