Phoenix Real Estate: Arizona's Capital and Desert Metropolis

Phoenix is a gleaming desert metropolis and the capital of Arizona, a sprawling city that, with a population of about 1.6 million, is the largest state capital in the United States. With abundant year-round sunshine, a thriving business community, and an active, involved citizenry, Phoenix is a fast-growing city that attracts residents from around the world.

Whether you are seeking to make Phoenix your permanent home or invest in a winter home in an area surrounded by world-class golf courses, dining, and entertainment, you will be thrilled to learn what the city has to offer.

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Phoenix Climate

Phoenix is located in central Arizona and enjoys an arid climate with very hot summers and mild, dry winters. High temperatures exceed 100 degrees for nearly three months out of every year, with the warmest temperatures recorded from June to October. The warmest temperature ever recorded in Phoenix was 122 degrees on June 26, 1990.

The temperate winters enjoyed in Phoenix are what attract many residents to the city. With daytime temperatures that hover around 70 degrees and lows that rarely dip below 40 degrees, many "Snow Birds" from the nation's snowy Northern and Eastern regions own second homes in the area and reside there much of the winter. Phoenix's dry air is also favored by residents who have difficulty breathing in humid environments.

The Villages of Phoenix

The city of Phoenix is divided up into 15 urban villages, each with a distinctively different focus, feel, and style. These urban villages, ranging from well-developed communities to still emerging regions, give Phoenix residents an opportunity to settle into an area that offers the specific amenities that fit their lifestyle and needs.

The urban villages of Phoenix are Ahwatukee Foothills, Alhambra, Camelback East, Central City, Deer Valley, Desert View, Encanto, Estrella, Laveen, Maryvale, North Gateway, North Mountain, Paradise Valley, South Mountain, and Rio Vista.

Phoenix also is comprised of a series of districts, including Downtown, Midtown, West Phoenix, North Phoenix, South Phoenix, Biltmore Area, Arcadia, Sunnyslope, and Ahwatukee.

Phoenix Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 1,321,045 people, 865,834 households, and 407,450 families residing in Phoenix. The population density was 2,782 people per square mile.

Just over 35% of Phoenix households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-traditional families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.39.
The age of Phoenix residents was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.

The median income for a Phoenix household was $41,207, and the median income for a family was $46,467. Males had a median income of $32,820 versus $27,466 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,833.
The racial makeup of Phoenix was 71.1% White, 5.1% African American, 2.0% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 16.4% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. 34.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, the religious composition of the Phoenix metropolitan area was 45% Catholic, 13% Latter Day Saints, and 5% Jewish. The remaining 37% are largely members of Protestant denominations or are unaffiliated with a single religion.