Relocating to Phoenix has become top of the list to many businesses and individuals as Greater Phoenix is now one of the nation's best places to live and do business.

The Phoenix economy is strong and vibrant and our continued growth has made us the fifth largest city in the country, with a population approaching 4 million. With the area's continued population growth, new trade opportunities, non-stop transatlantic flights and a sustained bright economic outlook, Phoenix's status as a transportation, distribution, and high-tech manufacturing hub is already becoming more vital to the Southwest, the nation and the world.

With more than 300 days of sunshine, a robust economy and the most business-friendly environment in the country, you should consider Greater Phoenix as your home.

County Profile:

Maricopa County, named after the Maricopa Tribe, was created from portions of Pima and Yavapai counties in 1871. It was the fifth county formed in Arizona and eventually portions were used to create Gila and Pinal counties.

More than half of the state’s population resides in Maricopa County, which includes the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Peoria and Gilbert. This metro area is the state’s major center of political and economic activity. In addition to housing the state capital, the county is home to a growing high-tech industry; manufacturing and agricultural industries; 15 institutions of higher learning; various cultural attractions; professional sports teams; and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the fifth busiest in the world with over 1,400 daily flights.

Maricopa County has a land area of 9,226 square miles, of which 1,441 square miles are incorporated (15.6 percent) and 7,785 square miles are unincorporated (84.4 percent). The U.S. Forest Service and the State of Arizona each control 11 percent of the county; an additional 16 percent is owned publicly. Almost five percent is Indian reservation land. Parts of western Maricopa County has 11 designated Enterprise Zones as well as central and southern areas in the City of Phoenix.

Phoenix was incorporated as a city on February 5, 1881. It is the capital, largest city and largest metropolitan area in the state of Arizona in the southwestern United States, 150 miles (241 km) northwest of Tucson. It is also the county seat of Maricopa County and the principal city of the Phoenix metropolitan area . Phoenix is appropriately called Hoozdo (which translates to, "the place is hot," in the Navajo language) and Fiinigis in the Western Apache language.

Phoenix is currently the fifth largest city in the U.S., according to the City of Phoenix in 2005. The Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is currently the fourteenth largest MSA of the United States, with a population of 3,251,876 (according to the 2000 U.S. Census ); with a 2004 estimate of 3,790,000. It ranks as the eighth fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S, growing 34 percent between 1990 and 2000. Phoenix is the largest capital city by population in the U.S., and the third largest capital city by area in the U.S. (behind Juneau, AK and Oklahoma City, OK ).

Downtown Phoenix

The downtown area has been undergoing a major facelift since the building of the America West Arena and Chase Field (formerly Bank One Ballpark). Coffeehouses, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping in the Arizona Center continue to draw people downtown for the hopping nightlife. Many new restaurants have blossomed, including A League Of Our Own. Incorporating the themes of Phoenix's early history with culture and local events, Copper Square is a full square-mile hotspot for activities and action. Downtown attractions include a walk in the park at Patriots Square or delve into the new Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Museum of History or the Phoenix Art Museum.