- Arizona
Population: 6,828,000
2016 job growth: 3.2%
2015 job growth: 2.6%
New jobs in 2016: 84,380
New jobs in 2015: 66,380
Unemployment rate by year-end 2016: 5.5%
Unemployment rate at year-end 2015: 5.9%
The Grand Canyon State is in for a real pickup this year, as its housing and construction sectors appear to have finally turned a corner. The state’s sunny climate and low taxes will continue to lure retirees as well as young folks. The low cost of living will draw tech entrepreneurs away from pricey Silicon Valley. Population growth will keep construction humming.
Home Depot plans to add about 800 new jobs in Tempe at an online customer support center, and Northern Trust Co. will hire about 1,000 new employees by 2018 at a new Tempe operating center. The state’s largest private employer, Banner Health, is building a $400 million hospital expansion in Tucson. In Phoenix, Farmers Insurance will significantly expand its operations, eventually adding 1,000 employees. Cenlar, a loan service provider, will create 600 jobs, also in Phoenix.
