SA Economics
Pima County economic data, statistics & info
A project of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG) in partnership with Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) and community sponsors
Pima County, Arizona
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Census 2020 Population: 1,043,433
Pima County's population as of Census 2020 was 1,043,433, up 6.4% from 2010. Pima County's population is projected to reach 1,129,414 in 2030 and 1,305,212 in 2060, according to projections by Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Annual population estimates (Arizona OEO)
Demographics
Pima County Census Data Library
Labor market
UNEMPLOYMENT: The unadjusted unemployment rate in Pima County in December 2022 was 3.1%, up from 2.9% in December 2021. Municipality unemployment rates in December 2022 (compared to December 2021) were:
- Marana: 2.5% (up from 1.9% in December 2021)
- Oro Valley: 3.0% (up from 2.2%)
- Sahuarita: 3.0% (up from 2.9%)
- South Tucson: 7.3% (up from 7.0%)
- Tucson: 3.2% (down from 3.3%)
NONFARM PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT: The number of nonfarm jobs in Pima County was up by 11,700 in 2022, for job growth of 3.1% (based on average monthly job numbers). The private sector added 10,400 jobs (3.4%) while government added 1,300 jobs (1.8%).
WAGES: The average annual wage in Pima County in 2021 was $52,990 ($25.48 hourly), which was 96% of the Arizona statewide average wage of $55,170 ($26.53 hourly) and 91% of the national average wage of $58,260 ($28.01 hourly). Pima County's average wage in 2021 was up 3.1% from 2020.
Monthly unemployment trends
Monthly employment trends
Labor force participation
Unemployed population
Job growth projections
Pima County businesses & payroll (by industry & employment size)
Personal income & GDP
PERSONAL INCOME: In 2021, Pima County had a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $52,942. This PCPI ranked 3rd in the state and was 95.4% of the state average, $55,487, and 82.5% of the national average, $64,143. The 2021 PCPI reflected an increase of 5.6% from 2020. The 2020–2021 state change was 6% and the national change was 7.3%. In 2011, the PCPI of Pima County was $35,373 and ranked 3rd in the state. The 2011–2021 compound annual growth rate of PCPI was 4.1%. The compound annual growth rate for the state was 4.6% and for the nation was 4.1%.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: In 2021, Pima County produced 50,231,611 in current-dollar total GDP*. This GDP ranked 2nd in the state and accounted for 12.0% of the state total. In 2011, the total GDP of Pima County was 35,151,950 and ranked 2nd in the state.
In 2021, Pima County real GDP grew 4.3%; the 2020–2021 state change was 6.3%. The 2011–2021 compound annual growth rate for Pima County real GDP was 1.5%; the compound annual growth rate for the state was 2.7%.
*GDP estimates are in thousands of dollars.
For more info on Pima County's personal income and GDP, check out the county's BEA Regional Fact Sheet (BEARFACTS)
Nonemployer business establishments & sales (by industry)
Major industry sales & bank deposits
MAJOR INDUSTRY SALES: In 2022, Pima County's retail sales were up 5.9%, following growth of 16.6% in 2021. Restaurant & bar sales were up 15.9% in 2022, on the heels of a 23.8% increase in 2021 (following a COVID-related drop of 14.3% in 2020, the first year of the pandemic). Pima County's hotel/motel receipts were up 37.6% in 2022, after rebounding 35.3% in 2021 (from a COVID-related decline of 33.0% in 2020).
BANK DEPOSITS: In 2022, bank deposits in Pima County (as of June 30) were up 11.7% from 2021. The year 2022 was the third straight year of double-digit percent increases in deposits with growth of 20.0% in 2020 and 10.0% in 2021, respectively. The 20% jump in deposits in 2020 was the fastest rate of increase on record (with records back to 1994). Deposits in recent years were helped along by economic stimulus payments and other COVID programs.
Real estate & new home construction
HOME PRICES & DAYS ON MARKET: In November 2022, the median price of homes sold in Pima County was $340,000, according to National Association of Realtors. That was up 7.7% from November 2021. The median days on market in November was 59, up from 49 in November 2021. As of December 2022, there were 5,956 homes listed for sale in Pima County, up from 5,189 in May. (Data in this section updated twice annually; for the most recent monthly data, visit Pima County, AZ Real Estate Market).
NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION: In the first 6 months of 2022, there were 2,503 new single-family residential home permits issued throughout Pima County, down 9.0% from the first half of 2021 (for the most recent monthly data, click here). Annually in 2021, there were 5,116 building permits issued for new SFR homes in Pima County, up 20.6% from 2020. New single-family home permits in 2021 were at their highest level since 2006.
The average SFR permit value in Pima County was $321,107 in the first half of 2022, up 8.6% from the same period of 2021. The annual average permit value in 2021 was $308,393, up 1.6% from 2020.
Tourism
Visits & impact
In the first 6 months of 2022, visits to Catalina State Park in Pima County were up 4.1% from the first half of 2021. Annual visits to Catalina State Park were up 6.1% in 2021, after falling 3.1% in 2020.
Visits to Saguaro National Park were down 26.4% in the first half of 2022. Annual visits were up 41.7% in 2021, following a decline of 25.3% in 2020.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument saw visits down 0.3% in 2021 on the heels of a 27.2% drop in 2020 (visitor counts for the first half of 2022 are currently unavailable).
According to research by Dean Runyan Associates for Arizona Office of Tourism, Pima County's travel industry (including business and leisure travel) generated $2.8 billion in direct spending in 2021, up 73.2% following a COVID-related decline of 49.2% in 2020. Pima County's travel industry supported 20,200 jobs countywide in 2021 (up 4.9% after falling 22.1% the year prior) with associated household earnings of $709.8 million (up 10.4% following an 18.6% drop the previous year).
Cross-border economy
BORDER CROSSINGS: In 2021, pedestrian border crossings from Mexico into the US at the Lukeville port of entry in Pima County were up 68.1% after falling 59.4% in 2020 due to COVID travel restrictions. Despite the rebound, pedestrian crossings in 2021 remained at a near-record low (with 2020 crossings setting the record low, with records back to 1996). The number of vehicle passengers crossing into the US at Lukeville was up 55.4% in 2021, after a 52.3% decline in 2020 (setting a new record low that year). At the much smaller Sasabe port of entry, also in Pima County, pedestrian crossings were up 77.7% in 2021, on the heels of a 6.5% increase in 2020 (despite the COVID pandemic). Vehicle passenger numbers through Sasabe were up 21.7% in 2021 after declining 26.5% in 2020.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE: In 2021, the value of exports passing through Pima County's Lukeville port of entry was $1.2 million, up 16.7% from 2020. Imports through the port came in at $2.9 million (up 38.2%). The Sasabe port, also in Pima County, was closed to imports and exports in 2021.
A project of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG) in partnership with Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) and community sponsors
SAEDG is an Arizona State Data Center Affiliate
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