Phoenix is a city in Arizona. Phoenix is in the southwestern United States, in the south-central portion of Arizona, about halfway between Tucson to the southeast and Flagstaff to the north.
Location Map of Phoenix, Arizona

Where is Phoenix Located, TX?
Phoenix is the capital and most populous city in Arizona and the 5th most populous city in the United States, it is the seat of Maricopa County. It comprising a total area of 519.11 sq mi (1,344.50 sq km), with an estimated population of 1,680,992 in 2019.
Phoenix, Arizona Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Phoenix |
| County | Maricopa County |
| State | Arizona |
| State Capital | Phoenix |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 33.4484° N |
| Longitude | 112.0740° W |
| Elevation | 1,086 ft (331 m) |
| Land Area | 517.6 sq mi |
| Water Area | 1.2 sq mi |
| Total Area | 518.8 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 1,608,139 |
| Population Density | Approximately 3,106 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 85001-85099 |
| Area Code | 602, 480, 623 |
| Time Zone Standard | Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 04-55000 |
| Congressional District | Arizona 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Congressional Districts |
Location and Surroundings
Phoenix is located in central Maricopa County within the Salt River Valley of south-central Arizona. It lies between Glendale to the northwest and Tempe to the east, surrounded by mountain ranges including the Phoenix Mountains and South Mountain. The city is known for its desert climate, major sports venues, growing technology sector, and status as Arizona's capital and largest city.
Nearby Cities to Phoenix, Arizona
- Tempe, Arizona - 9 mi East
- Glendale, Arizona - 10 mi Northwest
- Scottsdale, Arizona - 12 mi Northeast
- Mesa, Arizona - 19 mi East
- Chandler, Arizona - 22 mi Southeast
- Gilbert, Arizona - 24 mi Southeast
- Peoria, Arizona - 15 mi Northwest
- Goodyear, Arizona - 20 mi West
- Avondale, Arizona - 18 mi West
- Buckeye, Arizona - 35 mi West
Phoenix, Arizona Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67 | 46 | 1.0 |
| April | 86 | 59 | 0.2 |
| July | 106 | 85 | 1.0 |
| October | 92 | 66 | 0.6 |
| Annual | 88 | 64 | 8.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Hot Desert (BWh) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 8 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | More than 300 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very low |
| Snowfall | Rare |
Driving Distances from Phoenix, Arizona
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempe | Arizona | 9 | 15 min |
| Glendale | Arizona | 10 | 15 min |
| Scottsdale | Arizona | 12 | 20 min |
| Mesa | Arizona | 19 | 25 min |
| Peoria | Arizona | 15 | 20 min |
| Goodyear | Arizona | 20 | 25 min |
| Buckeye | Arizona | 35 | 40 min |
| Casa Grande | Arizona | 49 | 50 min |
| Tucson | Arizona | 116 | 1 hr 50 min |
| Flagstaff | Arizona | 145 | 2 hr 20 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Phoenix, Arizona
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport |
| IATA Code | PHX |
| Port | Not Applicable |
| Major Highways | I-10, I-17, Loop 101, Loop 202, SR 51, US 60 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No direct Amtrak service within the city |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Valley Metro Bus and Light Rail |
- Interstate 10 - Major east-west corridor connecting Phoenix with California, Tucson, and Texas.
- Interstate 17 - Connects Phoenix with Flagstaff and northern Arizona.
- Loop 101 - Beltway serving communities throughout the metropolitan area.
- Loop 202 - Major freeway connecting eastern and western suburbs.
- State Route 51 - Important north-south route through central Phoenix.
- US Route 60 - Connects Phoenix with eastern Arizona communities.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Phoenix, Arizona
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Desert Botanical Garden | Botanical Garden |
| South Mountain Park and Preserve | Regional Park |
| Heard Museum | Museum |
| Phoenix Art Museum | Museum |
| Papago Park | Park |
| Arizona Science Center | Science Museum |
| Chase Field | Sports Venue |
| Footprint Center | Sports Arena |
| Arizona State Capitol Museum | Museum |
| Camelback Mountain | Natural Attraction |
Waterbodies in Phoenix, Arizona
Salt River, Gila River, Tempe Town Lake, Arizona Canal, Crosscut Canal, Agua Fria River, Lake Pleasant, New River, Cave Creek, Roosevelt Lake
Golf Courses in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Country Club, Encanto Golf Course, Papago Golf Club, Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, Aguila Golf Course, Cave Creek Golf Course, Raven Golf Club Phoenix, Legacy Golf Resort, Lookout Mountain Golf Club, Grand Canyon University Golf Course
Economy and Major Employers in Phoenix, Arizona
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government | State of Arizona | Major public-sector employer. |
| Healthcare | Banner Health | Leading healthcare provider. |
| Technology | Semiconductor and Technology Industry | Rapidly growing economic sector. |
| Finance | Banking and Financial Services | Major regional employment base. |
| Education | Arizona State University | Large higher education institution nearby. |
| Aerospace | Aerospace and Defense Industry | Important advanced manufacturing sector. |
| Tourism | Hospitality and Convention Industry | Benefits from year-round visitors. |
| Retail | Regional Commercial Centers | Supports metropolitan growth. |
Colleges and Schools in Phoenix, Arizona
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus | Public | University | Urban higher education |
| Grand Canyon University | Private | University | Large private university |
| University of Phoenix | Private | University | Online education |
| Phoenix College | Public | Community College | Historic community college |
| GateWay Community College | Public | Community College | Workforce development |
| Phoenix Union High School District | Public | K-12 District | Largest secondary school district in Arizona |
Phoenix, Arizona - Key Historical Facts
- Phoenix was founded in 1867 near the site of ancient Hohokam irrigation canals that had supported agriculture centuries earlier.
- The city was incorporated in 1881 and became the capital of Arizona Territory in 1889.
- Phoenix continued to grow through extensive irrigation projects that transformed the Salt River Valley.
- The completion of Theodore Roosevelt Dam in 1911 helped secure a reliable water supply for the region.
- Following World War II, Phoenix experienced rapid suburban and economic expansion.
- Today, Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan centers in the United States.
Sources
- Official City of Phoenix Website
- Official Maricopa County Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
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