Decade's Greatest Growth Was in Outlying Areas

PHOENIX-While the state’s largest cities received their share of new residents during the last decade’s explosive population increase, it was the outlying suburbs and fringe cities that attracted the most dramatic growth. From 1990 to 2000, Phoenix grew by 34%, Tucson by 20%, Mesa by 20%, Glendale 48% and Scottsdale by 56&. Impressive numbers to be sure, but a trifle compared to some of the percentages posted by smaller outlying suburbs, according to figures released Tuesday by the US Census Bureau. The statewide growth rate was 40%.

Marana, a tiny farming community about 30 miles northwest of Tucson, grew by nearly 520% during the decade, and Oro Valley, 20 miles north of Tucson, grew by 345% and now has nearly 30,000 residents. The explosive growth in those areas was fueled by massive master-planned communities, which swallowed up cheap land. These two cities were the fastest growing the state.

In the Valley, Surprise (333%), Gilbert (277%), Goodyear (202%), Avondale (122%) and Peoria (114%) were the fastest growing cities. Once nothing but farmland and a scattered collection of homes, Gilbert is now a thriving suburb with nearly 110,000 residents and Peoria, once on the fringe of city, now has more than 108,000 residents.