Discover the 8 Wealthiest Counties in Arizona

Arizona is a massive state in the Southwest region of the United States. At 113,990 square miles, it is the sixth-largest U.S. state by area. Despite its gigantic size, Arizona is home to only 15 counties. This article explores the 8 wealthiest counties in Arizona according to a combination of median income, investment income, and median home value. It also covers which industries drive their economies and some notable people who live or have lived there.

Arizona is home to 7,359,197 people, making it the 14th-most populous U.S. state. The median income in Arizona is $65,913, which is below the United States average of $70,784. Since Arizona ranks below the national average for wealth, it is not home to any of the wealthiest counties in the United States. However, there are still several moderately wealthy counties in Arizona. Let’s explore the 8 wealthiest counties in Arizona!

1. Coconino County

The wealthiest county in Arizona is Coconino County in north-central Arizona. At 18,619 square miles, it is the second-largest county in the United States by area. That’s larger than the entire state of Maryland! Coconino County is home to the city of Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon National Park. Its population is 144,060.

The largest employer in Coconino County is Northern Arizona University (NAU), a public research university with 3,500 employees. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, the highest earner at NAU is the president, with a base salary of $390,000. Additionally, the college employs 253 people with salaries over $100,000.

The second largest employer in Coconino County is W.L. Gore & Associates, best known as the company that manufactures Gore-Tex. The company was featured on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the United States. They have several factories throughout Arizona, and their facilities in Flagstaff mainly manufacture medical equipment and industrial materials, employing 3,060 people.

Overall, the median income of Coconino County is $61,888. Other large employers in the county are the Flagstaff Medical Center and the Flagstaff School District.

2. Maricopa County

Maricopa County is in south-central Arizona. It is the most populous county in Arizona, with a population of 4,551,524. That’s more than half of the entire population of Arizona! Maricopa County is home to the Phoenix metropolitan area, a massive cultural and economic hub of Arizona. Steven Spielberg, Stephenie Meyer, Stevie Nicks, and Emma Stone are all from Phoenix.

The largest employer in Maricopa County is Banner Health, which is based in Phoenix. Banner Health is also one of the largest employers in the United States, with over 50,000 employees, 27,650 of which are in Maricopa County. That makes it the largest private employer in the state! The highest-paid employee is the President and CEO, Peter S Fine who earned over 11 million dollars in 2019. The second-largest employer is the State of Arizona, followed by Walmart, Fry’s Food Stores, and Wells Fargo. Overall, the median income of the county is $72,944.

3. Yavapai County

Yavapai County is in central Arizona. With a population of 246,191, it is the fourth-most populous county in Arizona behind Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties. Peoria, a suburb of Phoenix, is the largest city in Yavapai County. Its population is 197,866. Peoria is home to the Peoria Sports Complex, where the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners hold their spring training. The median income in Yavapai County is $56,170, and the median home value is $481,953.

4. Pinal County

Pinal County is in central Arizona. With a population of 464,154, it is the third-most populous county in Arizona after Maricopa and Pima Counties. Pinal County is located between Phoenix and Tucson, with increasing suburban development in recent years. Overall, the median income is $65,488 and the median home value is $371,475.

5. Pima County

Pima County is in south-central Arizona. With a population of 1,057,597, it is the second-most populous county in Arizona behind Maricopa County. Tucson is the most populous city in Pima County. Its largest employer is the University of Arizona, which employs 11,251 people. Robert C. Robbins, the president of the university, earns $792,241 a year. Other large employers include Raytheon Technologies, the state of Arizona, and the nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

6. Gila County

Gila County is in central Arizona and has a population of 53,922. It has a median income of $51,406 and a median home value of $348,139. The mining and service industries make up the majority of Gila County’s economy. Additionally, Gila Community College, located in the county seat of Globe, is a major employer.

7. Mohave County

Mohave County is in northwestern Arizona. With an area of 13,461 square miles, it is the second-largest county in Arizona behind Coconino. Its population is 220,816, making it the fifth-most populous county in Arizona. Bullhead City is the largest city in Mohave County, with a population of 42,920. The city is home to several colleges including Northern Arizona University and Mohave Community College. Overall, Mohave County has a median income of $49,738 and a median home value of $341,009.

8. Cochise County

Cochise County is in southeastern Arizona and has a population of 125,663. Sierra Vista is the largest city in Cochise County, with a population of 45,493. Fort Huachuca, a U.S. Army Base located in Sierra Vista, is Cochise County’s largest employer. Overall, Cochise County has a median income of $55,077 and a median home value of $233,661.

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