Census: Maricopa Added 52K Homes In One Year

More homes were built in Maricopa County than in any other county in the nation in the 12 months which ended June 30, 2005. An estimated 52,000 homes were built in Maricopa County during that time, soundly beating Clark County, Nev. who had 35,000 homes built during that same period.

Pinal County added 10,111 homes during that time frame, making it the third fastest growing area in the country. Samual Colon, a demographer with the Department of Economic Security, said Pinal County growth is being fueled by spillover from Maricopa and Pima counties. As housing becomes more expensive near Phoenix and Tucson,home buyers are increasingly choosing to live further away.

"If you can get a bigger home for less... outside Maricopa County and you still don't have to drive that far, that's a no-brainer," he said. Statewide, 86,510 homes were built during that 12-month period, the fifth largest increase in the nation. More...