Pinal County, Arizona

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operatorTemplate:Category handlerExpression error: Unexpected < operatorScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Pinal County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. According to the 2020 census, the population of the county was 425,264,[1] making it Arizona's third-most populous county. The county seat is Florence. The county was established in 1875.

Pinal County contains parts of the Tohono Oʼodham Nation, the Gila River Indian Community and the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, as well as all of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Pinal County is included in the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, Arizona Metropolitan Statistical Area. Suburban growth southward from greater Phoenix has begun to spread into the county's northern parts; similarly, growth northward from Tucson is spreading into the county's southern portions. Pinal County has five cities: Maricopa, Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Eloy, and Coolidge. There are also many unincorporated areas, which have shown accelerated growth patterns in recent years.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office runs a weekly mini series called Fridays with Frank on YouTube and Facebook which features Deputy Sheriff Frank Sloup conducting traffic stops in an entertaining and educational manner.

History

Pinal County was carved out of neighboring Maricopa County and Pima County on February 1, 1875, during the Eighth Legislature. In the August 18, 1899, issue of The Arizona Magazine, the name "Pinal" is said to come from the pine-clad Pinal Mountains.[2] Pinal County was the second-fastest-growing county in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010.[3]

In 2010, CNN Money named Pinal County as the second fastest growing county in the USA.[4]

Geography

File:Pickepost Peak, AZ.jpg
Picketpost Peak, a prominent landmark above Superior
File:Sondes.jpg
Spring wildflowers in the Sonoran Desert National Monument

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and Script error: No such module "convert". (0.2%) is water.[5]

Mountain ranges

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

Adjacent counties

Major highways

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

National protected areas

Demographics

<templatestyles src="US Census population/styles.css"/>

Historical population
CensusPop.Template:Sronly%±
18803,044—
18904,251Script error: No such module "String".%
19007,779Script error: No such module "String".%
19109,045Script error: No such module "String".%
192016,130Script error: No such module "String".%
193022,081Script error: No such module "String".%
194028,841Script error: No such module "String".%
195043,191Script error: No such module "String".%
196062,673Script error: No such module "String".%
197067,916Script error: No such module "String".%
198090,918Script error: No such module "String".%
1990116,379Script error: No such module "String".%
2000179,727Script error: No such module "String".%
2010375,770Script error: No such module "String".%
2020425,264Script error: No such module "String".%
2024 (est.)513,862[6]Script error: No such module "String".%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[1]

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Population Growth

Pinal County, Arizona ranks fifth among U.S. counties in percent population growth from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024.[20] The county’s estimated population increased from 486,395 in 2023 to 513,862 in 2024, representing a 5.6% growth rate, far above the national average.[20] To understand what is driving this rapid expansion, it is necessary to decompose overall population change into its two main components: natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration (domestic plus international).

Natural Increase (births and deaths)

A key consideration in evaluating natural increase is the county’s mortality pattern over time. In 2019, Pinal County recorded a crude death rate of 732.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, representing a typical pre-pandemic baseline.[19] Mortality then rose sharply during 2020 and 2021, reaching 1,124.0 deaths per 100,000 residents at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] By 2022, mortality had begun to decline, though it remained elevated relative to 2019 levels.[19] It is expected that as more data becomes available, the downward trend in mortality will continue and gradually return to levels similar to those observed before the pandemic.

Birth patterns show a more gradual change. Pinal County’s birth rate increased from 9.9 per 1,000 population in 2019 to 11.3 per 1,000 population in 2022.[19] Although this represents modest growth, the overall number of births only slightly outpaced the number of deaths during this period. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimates confirm this: between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024, natural change contributed only 2,011 people to the county’s population growth.[21] This demonstrates that natural increase played a relatively minor role, as 2,011 people make up only a small fraction of the county’s total population increase of 87,855 during this period.[21]

Migration

In contrast, migration overwhelmingly drove Pinal County’s expansion. Between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024, the county experienced a net migration inflow of 86,082 people.[21] Domestic migration accounted for the vast majority of this increase, with 78,400 domestic in-migrants compared to 7,682 international migrants.[21] Net international migration includes the movement of both U.S.-born and foreign-born persons, movement between the United States and Puerto Rico, and the movement of Armed Forces personnel, however, it still represents only a small portion of total in-migration.[21] The data make clear that domestic migration, not natural increase and not international immigration, is the dominant force behind Pinal County’s rapid growth.

Age Structure

The county’s age structure provides further insight into these patterns and reinforces the interpretation that migration is the primary driver of population change. According to ACS estimates, 57.2% of Pinal County’s population in 2023 fell within the working-age range of 18–64, an increase from 56.9% in 2020.[22] Although the percentage change is small, the stability and slight rise of the working-age share is notable, especially in a high-growth area. Fast-growing counties often attract working-age adults and families who relocate from larger metropolitan regions, particularly those with higher housing costs or greater congestion. Pinal County’s age distribution aligns with this typical domestic in-migrant profile.

In addition, the data suggest that the county’s recent growth is not primarily driven by retirees or older adults, who would be reflected in a rising population of residents aged 65 and older. Instead, the presence of a slightly increasing working-age majority indicates that population change is shaped not only by the volume of net migration, but also by the demographic characteristics of those migrants. New arrivals to the county appear to be disproportionately young adults, middle-aged workers, and families.

This working-age dominance has several important implications for Pinal County’s development. A growing labor force can support employment expansion and economic productivity. The influx of families may increase demand for school enrollment, childcare services, and related infrastructure. Higher levels of domestic in-migration can also stimulate the housing market, contributing to rising demand and new residential construction. Over the long term, the county’s age structure will also shape future natural increase through population momentum, as a stable or growing share of adults in their childbearing years may help sustain birth levels even as mortality trends return to pre-pandemic patterns.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 425,264. Of the residents, 23.4% were under the age of 18 and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females there were 105.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 105.6 males. 77.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 23.0% lived in rural areas.[11][12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 63.3% White, 5.2% Black or African American, 5.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 11.8% from some other race, and 12.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 28.6% of the population.[13]

There were 146,663 households in the county, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 172,878 housing units, of which 15.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.6% were owner-occupied and 20.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%.[12]

Pinal County, Arizona – Racial and ethnic composition
<templatestyles src="Nobold/styles.css"/>Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 105,641 220,486 240,006 58.78% 58.68% 56.44%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4,658 16,007 20,712 2.59% 4.26% 4.87%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 12,419 17,410 17,156 6.91% 4.63% 4.03%
Asian alone (NH) 1,001 6,114 6,290 0.56% 1.63% 1.48%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 111 1,489 1,081 0.06% 0.40% 0.25%
Other race alone (NH) 169 487 1,658 0.09% 0.13% 0.39%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 2,057 6,800 16,828 1.14% 1.81% 3.96%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 53,671 106,977 121,533 29.86% 28.47% 28.58%
Total 179,727 375,770 425,264 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 375,770 people, 125,590 households, and 92,157 families living in the county.[17] The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 159,222 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert"..[18] The racial makeup of the county was 72.4% white, 5.6% American Indian, 4.6% black or African American, 1.7% Asian, 0.4% Pacific islander, 11.5% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 28.5% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 16.9% were German, 10.6% were Irish, 9.5% were English, and 2.8% were American.[19]

Of the 125,590 households, 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.6% were non-families, and 20.5% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.21. The median age was 35.3 years.[17]

The median household income was $51,310 and the median family income was $56,299. Males had a median income of $45,082 versus $34,785 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,716. About 10.1% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.[20]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 179,727 people, 61,364 households, and 45,225 families living in the county. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 81,154 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the county was 70.4% White, 2.8% Black or African American, 7.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 15.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 29.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.9% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 1.4% speak O'odham and <0.1% speak Apache.[21]

Of the 61,364 households 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 21.1% of households were one person and 9.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.09.

The age distribution was 25.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.0 males.

The median household income was $35,856 and the median family income was $39,548. Males had a median income of $31,544 versus $23,726 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,025. About 12.1% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty threshold, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

During the 20th century, Pinal was very much a bellwether county in U.S. presidential elections, having supported the winning candidate in every election between Arizona's statehood in 1912 and 2004 except for that of 1968, when Hubert Humphrey won the county by 3.2 percentage points but lost to Richard M. Nixon. As a result of the urban sprawl from Phoenix spreading into the county, a major political reversal has taken place between it and neighboring Maricopa County since the turn of the millennium. Maricopa County is becoming more progressive, as is the trend of most largely populated city centers in America. Pinal voters trend more conservative. In 2024, Donald Trump carried the county by the largest margin for a Republican since statehood. The county is one of the most conservative suburban areas outside the deep South, and one of the few that has continued to trend rightward in the Trump era. Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresFoot Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenFoot Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenFoot

Government

Salaries for county elected officials are set by the Arizona Revised Statutes. All county elected officials except the Sheriff (Ross Teeple as of 2025[22]) and the County Attorney make a salary of $63,800, along with county benefits and compulsory participation in the Arizona State Elected Official Retirement Plan.[23] In 2020, the Republican Party won complete control of the Board of Supervisors. In 2022, the Arizona Supreme Court deemed their Road Improvement Tax (passed in 2018) as illegal due to the tax only applied to purchases under $10,000. In 2022, the county's elections department came under intense scrutiny following several mistakes in the primary election. At the time, the Elections Department had only two full-time employees. The Board of Supervisors found themselves being accused of not properly funding the Elections Department.

Economy

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". CoreCivic, while still known as Corrections Corporation of America, operated the privately owned Saguaro Correctional Center.[24] located in Eloy in Pinal County,[25] It is paid by the state of Hawaii to house the majority of Hawaii's male prison inmate population.[24]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Communities

File:Pinal County Arizona Incorporated and Unincorporated areas.svg
Map of incorporated areas and Indian reservations in Pinal County
File:Copper-Cuprite-260138.jpg
Native copper with cuprite from the Ray Mine near Kearny

Cities

Towns

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Census-designated places

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Other unincorporated communities

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Ghost towns

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Pinal County.[26] † county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2020 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 San Tan Valley 99,894 CDP
2 Queen Creek (Mostly in Maricopa County) 59,519 Town 1990
3 Maricopa 58,125 City 2003
4 Casa Grande 53,658 City 1879 (founded)
5 Marana (mostly in Pima County) 51,908 Town 1977
6 Apache Junction (partially in Maricopa County) 38,499 City 1978
7 † Florence 26,785 Town 1900[27]
8 Eloy 15,635 City 1949
9 Coolidge 13,218 City 1945
10 Saddlebrooke 12,574 CDP
11 Gold Canyon 11,404 CDP
12 Arizona City 9,868 CDP
13 San Manuel 3,692 CDP
14 Oracle 3,656 CDP
15 Superior 3,319 Town 1976
16 Kearny 2,261 Town 1959
17 Sacaton 1,824 CDP
18 Mammoth 1,759 Town 1958
19 Dudleyville 1,068 CDP
20 Casa Blanca 1,004 CDP
21 Queen Valley 566 CDP
22 Stanfield 515 CDP

See also

Script error: No such module "Portal".

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ a b Brady, Kat. "Using private prisons costs more than it seems." (editorial) Honolulu Star Advertiser. June 18, 2010. Retrieved on September 29, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Saguaro Correctional Center Script error: No such module "webarchive".." Corrections Corporation of America. Retrieved on September 30, 2010.
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[1][2][3][4]

External links

Script error: No such module "Side box".

  • Script error: No such module "Official website".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
  • Pinal County Chamber

Template:OSM relation

Template:Geographic Location Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "navbox".

Script error: No such module "Authority control".

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Pinal_County,_Arizona&oldid=4386683"