5 Arizona cities among fastest growing in nation, according to census data

PHOENIX — Arizona is one of the hottest states in the nation and it’s not only due to the temperature.

Five cities in the Grand Canyon State were among the fastest growing with a population of at least 50,000 between July 2020 and July 2021, according to estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The East Valley suburb of Queen Creek had the third-highest rate of growth at 8.9%, to push its population to 66,346.

Buckeye was right behind Queen Creek at No. 4 with an increase of 8.6%.

A pair of Pinal County cities made the list, with Casa Grande coming in at No. 8 with a 6.2% increase. Maricopa was No. 9 with a growth rate of 6.1%.

Goodyear rounded out the Arizona cities at No. 11 with a 5.4% increase.

Arizona’s five cities were the most of any state on the list, followed by three each for Texas, Florida and Idaho.

The central Texas cities of Georgetown and Leander were the only ones to have a greater population growth than Queen Creek.

Phoenix didn’t make the population rate growth list, but it did come in second on the list of numeric increase by cities.

The state capital gained 13,224 residents between July 2020 and July 2021, trailing only San Antonio, Texas.

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