Tucson
RANK #808 / 996 NAT · #11 / 11 AZ · POP 1,042,393
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
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.
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 →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Pima County scores just 18/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #808 of 996 counties. Job growth at -0.1% and median household income of $64,323 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Pima County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $258,300 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 $1,071/month on average.
Pima County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.1%). Home values shifted -2.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.08% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pima County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.