Maricopa County

Maricopa County was founded in 1871. It is the largest and the most populous county in Arizona and the fourth largest countrywide. Phoenix is the largest city and the county seat of Maricopa County. It also doubles up as Arizona’s capital.  

Maricopa is named after the Maricopa or the Piipaash Native American Tribe.  

It is a fast-growing county with nearly 4.5 million residents. This number accounts for over half of Arizona’s total population. 

Maricopa covers about 9 224 square miles and has one of the most extensive park systems nationwide, with nearly 120,000 acres of open spaces. 

Maricopa County Cities and Towns 

The following is a list of cities and towns in Maricopa: 

• Phoenix 
• Youngtown 
• Wickenburg 
• Tolleson 
• Tempe 
• Surprise 
• Sun City 
• Scottsdale 
• Queen Creek 
• Peoria 
• Paradise Valley 
• Mesa 
• Litchfield Park 
• Guadalupe 
• Goodyear 
• Glendale 
• Gilbert 
• Gila Bend 
• Fountain Hills 
• El Mirage 
• Chandler 
• Cave Creek 
• Carefree 
• Buckeye 
• Avondale 
• Apache Junction 

To view all the cities, visit the Maricopa County map. 

How Are Housing Costs in Maricopa, AZ 

Housing costs in Maricopa are marginally higher than the median costs in Arizona. In comparison to the national average, the costs are slightly lower. The median home value is approximately $202,000, while the average rent is around $1380. 

What Is the Climate in Maricopa, AZ? 

Maricopa is located in the Sonoran Desert, the warmest desert in the North. So, living here, you can expect hot weather. You might have to spend more on utilities to accommodate the temperatures, such as air conditioning or swimming pools. 

Apart from the warm conditions, there are dust storms and seasonal monsoons.  

What’s the Cost of Living in Maricopa, AZ? 

The cost of living is a crucial factor in deciding where to live. Maricopa has a score of 108 to a national average of 100. That’s slightly higher. So you will find that some expenses are higher than the average, for example, housing, transportation, median home cost, and utilities. In contrast, other costs like healthcare and groceries are lower than the average.  

So, the general answer to the cost of living is that living in Maricopa is slightly expensive. 

How Is the Job Market Living in Maricopa, AZ? 

Job growth in Maricopa has been on the upswing. For example, in Phoenix, there is a substantial market and economy. Future job growth is rated at 45.09% compared to the national median of 33.51%.  

The upbeat forecast can be attributed to the warm climate that appeals to tech companies relocating to Austin and San Francisco. 

There are many high-paying jobs like mining and gas administrators, architecture, business and finance, healthcare, and legal services. 

Some prominent employers in Phoenix are American Express, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, just to mention a few. 

Where Is the Best Place to Live in Maricopa, AZ? 

There are great neighborhoods in Maricopa. Here are some of them: 

• Paradise Valley Village 

If you are looking for tranquility, Paradise Valley is your place. It is situated between three mountain ranges.  

• Downtown Scottsdale 

An outstanding thing about Downtown Scottsdale is its warm climate. It enjoys 330 sunny days annually and median temperatures in the low 70s. It is also one of the safest places in Phoenix. You can relax in one of the many restaurants or go on trails in the plenty of horse trails and bike paths. 

• Central Phoenix 

Central Phoenix is made up of the neighborhoods between Downtown and Uptown. The area is scenic and has plenty of luxury apartment buildings. 

• Encanto 

Encanto is a suitable neighborhood for the LGBTQ community. It comprises many retail shops spread along the Park Central Mall area and is characteristic of a historic vibe with urban living. 

• Downtown Phoenix 

There are plenty of pubs, restaurants, and arts and culture centers in Downtown Phoenix. You can live and work here while enjoying all your outdoor activities like biking and walking. 

What Are the Things to Do in Maricopa, AZ? 

Maricopa is a large county, so there is a lot to explore. The warm climate is another ingredient that makes adventures in Maricopa endless. Some fun activities you can indulge in are: 

• Gamble at Wild Horse Pass Casino 
• Camp, Hike, or go biking along bike paths 
• Ride horses at Koli Equestrian Center 
• Learn hang gliding   
• Bond with your puppy at Maricopa Dog Park Alliance 

Where to Visit in Maricopa, AZ 

There are plenty of places to visit in Maricopa County due to its vast size. Here are some fantastic destinations: 

White Tank Mountain Regional Park 

It is the most extensive park in Maricopa and is situated in the West-central region. It covers 29,271 acres of desert and mountain landscape.  

Tempe Town Lake  

It is an artificial perennial reservoir situated north of Tempe Butte at the confluence of the ephemeral Indian Bend Wash and Salt River in Tempe. The lake gets much of its water from the Colorado River.  

Pueblo Grande Museum 

It is an archaeological site in Phoenix and includes irrigation canals and a prehistoric platform mound. 

Tovrea Castle  

It is a historic structure located at Carraro Heights with over 5,000 individual cacti of diverse variety. Tovrea is a landmark in Phoenix and part of the Phoenix parks system.  

Maricopa County Offices 

Five elected district supervisors head Maricopa County. The supervisors select the county manager. They also approve budgets for other elected and appointed officials in the county. The supervisors are: 

• District 1 -Jack Sellers -Phone: (602)- 506- 1776 
• District 2 -Thomas Galvin- Phone: (602)- 506- 7431 
• District 3 -Bill Gates -Phone: (602)- 506- 7562 
• District 4 -Clint Hickman -Phone: (602)- 506- 7642 
• District 5 -Steve Gallardo -Phone: (602)- 506- 7092 

Other elected or appointed county officials include: 

Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, The Honorable Joseph C. Welty -Phone: (602)- 506- 3204.  

The Maricopa County Assessor is Eddie Cook. His office is open on weekdays from 8 am – 5 pm. The office address is 301 W Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. 

Phone: 602-506-3406. 

The Maricopa County Treasurer is John M. Allen. His office is open on weekdays from 8 am – 5 pm. You can reach him on: Email: [email protected], Customer service phone number: (602) 506-8511, while the Faxis : (602) 506-1102. 

The Maricopa County Sheriff is Paul Penzone. His address is 550 West Jackson, Phoenix, Arizona 85003. The phone number is:(602) 876-1000. 

The Clerk of the Board is Garza Juanita. The office address is 301 W Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: 602-506-3766, Fax: 602-506-6402 

The Clerk of the Superior Court is Jeff Fine. Office Address: 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: (602) 372-5375 or (602)37-CLERK 

The Maricopa County Manager is Joy Rich. Her office address is 301 W Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: 602-506-3415. 

For other county officials and their office addresses, go to the Maricopa County page. 

Maricopa County Public Records 

If you are looking or wish to submit public records, whether tax, warrant records search, marriage, jail, inmate, divorce, death, birth, arrest, genealogy, business, sex offender, etc., visit the Public Information Officers Page. 

Maricopa County Offices by Type