In fact, according to census figures released Thursday, Queen Creek and Maricopa were two of the top 15 areas in the nation for population growth one year from July 1, 2021.

The Census only ranks cities that are considered “major cities,” i.e. cities with a population of 50,000 or more.

A closer look at the data reveals that Coolidge recorded 11.9% population growth in a year, surpassing both Queen Creek and Maricopa, boosted by new factories and economic development. Queen Creek grew by 6.7% and Maricopa by nearly 6.2%.

The new report also found that about one in four communities in Arizona has lost its population. The biggest loser was the city of Douglas, which lost 4.6% of its population, bringing the city’s population below 16,000, effectively returning it to its early-century state.

For the Tucson area, Marana added 1,290 residents in one year, bringing the population to 55,962, a growth rate of approximately 2.4%.

Sahuarita posted growth of less than 1.2%. Tucson itself came close to her 1% level, but failed to break it.

The fastest-growing communities tend to be on the edge of existing cities, mostly in the southern and western United States, according to a national report.

Georgetown, Texas, about an hour away from Austin, saw the fastest growth in the past year, at 14.4%, according to the Census. Kyle and Leander, Texas, which tied for third and fourth place with 10.9% year-over-year growth, are also located in the Austin suburbs.

Santa Cruz, California, in second place with 12.5%, benefits from its location south of San Jose and Silicon Valley.

In Arizona, decades ago, cities like Glendale and Mesa grew exponentially, filling most of the available space. At the same time, more highways were built, expanded and lengthened. This has reduced commute times to major cities and encouraged people to live further afield.

Queen Creek is a prime example of that.

The state invested most of its money in county tax dollars to not only complete the 202 loop through the southeastern valley of the Phoenix area, but also to build State Route 24, which was now a mile from 202. and extended. to Pinal County.

It’s just the beginning. In a new state budget signed by Governor Katie Hobbs this month, Queen He Creek has been given $87.5 million for further expansion of SR 24, including a transportation interchange on Ironwood Road.

Queen Creek has managed to add 4,416 residents in the year ending July 1, 2022, even though the highway is not yet completed. Maricopa he added 3,844 people.

Other communities in the periphery of the Phoenix area and beyond also saw significant year-on-year population growth, including 4.6% for Casa Grande, 3.8% for Goodyear, and a similar increase for the adjacent Buckeye. bottom.

Wickenberg and Surprise were up more than 3%.

Coolidge is also a city on the periphery of Phoenix, whose growth has been fueled by economic development and will continue to grow. In November, Procter & Gamble announced a $500 million investment in a manufacturing facility. Coolidge also has land available for industrial and residential development.