Arizona's population has skyrocketed over the past decade — but some of the highest rates of growth have occurred outside our major metropolitans, per an Axios analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The big picture: Maricopa County has been heralded as one of the country's fastest-growing counties for adding nearly half a million people in the past decade — but population estimates show some of Arizona's previously rural counties are also growing at an exceptionally fast pace.

By the numbers: The Valley's closest neighbor, Pinal County, grew 7%, increasing from a five-year average of about 420,000 in 2014-2018 to about 449,000 in 2019-2023.

• Yavapai County, which borders Maricopa County to the north, saw its population increase by 7.6% over that period.

Zoom in: Pinal County, once wholly reliant on agriculture and mining, has become a hotbed of industrial development, with manufacturers like Lucid Motors and Nikola Corp. moving operations there in recent years.

• Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller, who moved to Casa Grande more than 40 years ago, said the county has two freeways, a railroad and a lot of relatively affordable land — all valuable assets for big manufacturing companies.

Between the lines: More than ever, the area has become an extension of the Valley, with some of Phoenix's hottest exurbs, including Queen Creek, spanning the Maricopa and Pinal county lines.

• There are still a lot of workers commuting from Maricopa County to Pinal County employers, but housing development is surging in Maricopa, San Tan Valley, Queen Creek and other Pinal County communities as more people seek to live closer to their employers, Miller said.
• Plus, Pinal County home prices continue to lag those in most of Maricopa County, making it a more attainable option for first-time homebuyers.

Meanwhile, Yavapai County, whose 2019-2023 average population estimate was about 242,000, has seen a continuous trickle of new residents, especially in the neighboring cities of Prescott and Prescott Valley.

• Prescott Valley, the county's largest city, surpassed 50,000 residents in 2023, per the Census Bureau.

Growing pains

Maricopa is so back.

The big picture: The 85138 zip code, which contains much of the city of Maricopa in Pinal County, was the hottest real estate zip code in Arizona last year — and one of the top 20 in the U.S., according to a new Opendoor analysis.

Why it matters: Maricopa was among the fastest growing cities in the early aughts but was hit particularly hard by the housing bubble.

• With Pinal County adding new employers and metro Phoenix home prices remaining stubbornly high, more people are returning to exurbs like Maricopa.

State of play: Opendoor determined the hottest zip codes by ranking them based on the total homes under contract within 90 days of listing.

Zoom out: Per the Census Bureau, Maricopa was the fifth fastest-growing city in the country from 2022 to 2023, the latest numbers available.

Tell a Maricopa dweller

Phoenix and state fire officials are sending personnel and equipment to California to help with the devastating blazes across Los Angeles County.

State of play: The Phoenix Fire Department is still learning exactly what's needed, but anticipates having teams on the ground within the next few days, Mayor Kate Gallego announced on X yesterday.

• The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) sent two task forces to California earlier this week before the outbreak of the fires. Those consisted of nine fire engines, two water tenders and 39 people, according to agency spokesperson Tiffany Davila.
• Those crews have been assigned to the Eaton Fire near Pasadena.
• California has requested two additional task forces, which DFFM is working to fulfill, Davila said.

Zoom in: Several major wildfires that erupted this week are burning in the Los Angeles area — the Palisades Fire between Malibu and Santa Monica, which is the largest; the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley area; the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena; and the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills.

• The fires have killed at least five people, destroyed around 2,000 structures and burned about 29,000 acres as of this morning.
• About 130,000 people are under evacuation orders.

Full story

🏛️ Arizona's new Democratic U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego announced he will co-sponsor the Laken Riley Act, a bill that requires ICE to detain undocumented immigrants charged with theft or burglary. (The Hill)

• U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, another Democrat, will also vote for the bill, which opponents say eliminates due process protections for immigrants. (Politico)

🏈 The NFL may move Monday night's playoff matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings to State Farm Stadium in Glendale because of the fires raging across L.A. County. (AZcentral)

🐦 The Arizona Game and Fish Department is warning hunters to take extra precautions if they plan to harvest birds during the current national avian flu outbreak. (12 News)

It's time to start planning your weekend!

🏡 Maricopa County Home and Garden Show

Everything you need to beautify and improve your home, inside and out, with seminars, workshops and more than 1,000 vendors.

• Tomorrow-Sunday, 10am-5pm at the Arizona State Fairgrounds; $5 for adults and $2 for children.

🍖 West Valley Barbecue Festival

Sample mouth-watering ribs, brisket and more, and enjoy entertainment for the whole family.

• Saturday, 4-10pm, at Mark Coronado Park in Surprise. $10.

More to do in January