By AzBigMedia | Jasmine Kabiri
It’s unclear which came first in Pinal County, the houses or the people filling them. What is clear is that both Pinal County housing and its population continue growing at some of the fastest rates in the state and, in some instances, the nation.
The number of housing units in Pinal County grew by an estimated 3.5% from July 2021 to July 2022, the fastest rate in the state, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released last week.
“At one point in Pinal County, Casa Grande was a very sleepy town, and they’re wide awake now. People are just sprawling to it,” said Eric Gibbs, president of the Arizona Association of Realtors.
The Pinal County numbers were just the most recent data from the Census that show continued booming growth in certain Valley communities.
The bureau reported this spring that Maricopa County posted the largest population increases in the country from 2021 to 2022, the second consecutive year it has held the top spot.
This month’s report said Phoenix had the second-biggest population gains in the country last year, adding 19,053 residents to fall just 117 shy of the number of residents added by No. 1 Fort Worth for the year.
