Phoenix, the capital of the Southwest of the United States, is known for its year-round sunshine and warm temperatures. It anchors a sprawling, multi-urban metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun, and is home to high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, and vibrant nightclubs. The Desert Botanical Garden is a popular attraction, showcasing cacti and numerous native plants. Phoenix is now the fifth largest city in the US by population.
Its land area exceeds that of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, but its population lags behind those cities and Houston. However, size isn't just measured by population or square miles - it's also associated with skyscrapers, trains, and street musicians playing electric guitar downtown on a Friday night. Phoenix is the only one of the 10 largest cities in the US that has recorded double-digit population growth of 11.2 percent. Maricopa County, where Greater Phoenix is located, covers 9,266 square miles - about the size of New Hampshire.
The capital added about 163,000 more residents in 2020, bringing its total population to 1.6 million people according to The New York Post. Houston has 700,000 more people than Phoenix, but it's still the second fastest growing city in the US. The Phoenix housing market has seen an increase in property and rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. May prices were nearly 25 percent higher than last year due to increased demand according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index released last month. Phoenix is a vibrant city with plenty to offer visitors and residents alike.
From its sunny climate to its booming economy and diverse culture, it's no wonder why so many people are flocking to this desert oasis.
