Pima County, within which Tucson is located, was the nation's 68th largest county in 1990, 53rd largest in 2000, and 45th largest in 2005. From 1990 to 2000, the County ranked 27th greatest in absolute change. Only 9 counties larger in population grew more rapidly from 2000 to 2005. Of the 100 largest counties, Pima was twenty-first most rapidly growing from 2000 to 2005, at 8.98%.  In 1990, Pima County had a population of 666,880. Based on Census 2000, the April 1, 2000 population was 843,746.  The June 2008 estimate is 1,035,988.

Metro Tucson –

The Tucson Metropolitan Area [Pima County] was ranked 52^nd largest in 2005. We were 55^th largest in 2000. The Phoenix Metropolitan Area was 14^th largest and New York was 1^st.

In numerical change, 2004 – 2005, Tucson ranked 32^nd out of 390 metro areas. Of the 51 metropolitan areas larger than Tucson, only 11 grew more rapidly, in percentage terms between 2004 – 2005.

Tucson was the 45th largest U.S. city in 1980, 34th largest in 1990, and 30th largest in 2000. Based on Census 2000, the April 1, 2000 population was 486,699 (see table below). Tucson currently covers 227.615 square miles. The estimated population for June 2008 is 554,101.

Tucson grew 20% in population and 24% in area from 1990 to 2000.  Of the 243 U.S. cities with populations over 100,000, Tucson's growth was 71st greatest in percent change, and 23rd greatest in absolute change from 1990 to 2000.  Only 6 cities larger than Tucson grew at a more rapid rate from 2000 to 2002; nine cities larger than Tucson lost population during the same time period. The Tucson Metropolitan Area was 58th largest in 2000, and only 10 larger metro areas grew faster.  Much of the growth over the next 20 years will be driven by working age people moving here for employment opportunities. In 2002, the Tucson urbanized area was 69th most dense of the 141 urban areas with populations over 250,000, in the U.S. and Canada.

The City of Tucson is larger in population than the State of Wyoming and in area is over 3 times the size of Washington, D.C. In 2000, Tucson was the nation’s 30th largest city. By 2030, Tucson will be larger than three states and Washington, D.C.

Pima County is larger in population than 7 states [WY, VT, SD, ND, DE, AK, MT] and Washington D.C. By 2030, Pima County will be larger than 10 states, plus the District of Columbia. Pima County is larger in area than Rhode Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, D.C. or Delaware. Pima Co. is approximately the area of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts or Hawaii. Pima Co. [Tucson Metropolitan Area] and reached 1,000,000 in population in November, 2006.

Population Milestones:

Links to Additional Population Information:

Census 2000 Factoids (PDF 32KB)

City of Tucson: 1930 – 2006, Population and Area (PDF 28KB)

City of Tucson: 1930 – 2006, Population and Density (PDF 39KB)

Metro Tucson Population: 1870- 2080 (PDF 17KB)

Pew Hispanic Center Report, Estimates of the Size and Characteristics of the Undocumented Population (PDF 112KB)

U.S. Census Bureau Population and Housing Tables (Internet Link)

100 Largest Counties: July 1, 2005 (Internet Link)

100 Fastest-Growing Counties: July 1, 2001 to July 1, 2005 (Internet Link)

Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places Over 100,000, Ranked by July 1, 2005 Population: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 (PDF 40KB)