Scottsdale is a premier Arizona community known for a high quality of life with attractive residential, working, and shopping areas. It is Arizona’s mecca for corporate business professionals and new technology startups. Scottsdale is a business-friendly community where stakeholders create environments which generate some of the world’s most successful companies and entrepreneurs. Businesses and professionals who locate to Scottsdale enjoy a higher quality of life with a lower cost of living in comparison to other major urban centers across the United States, as well as world-class research and development opportunities with a highly-educated and well-trained workforce. The proximity and accessibility to major domestic and international markets via Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Scottsdale Airport make Scottsdale an ideal destination.

Principal Economic Activities

Through its economic development investments and programs, the city of Scottsdale retains, grows and attracts targeted sources of wealth generation to enhance the community’s tax base as well as quality of life, preserve the natural environment and foster

prosperity for all citizens. Named as a best place to live, work and launch a startup, the city’s progressive leadership has kept taxes low for both families and corporations. Scottsdale, one of Arizona’s ten largest cities, is a tourist destination, place to live and location for thriving business. Old Town Scottsdale is considered the finest urban center in Arizona. It is home to more than 90 restaurants, 320 retail shops and more than 80 art galleries.

Scottsdale is one of the state’s leading job centers with more than 16,000 businesses employing approximately 210,000 employees. Scottsdale’s economic development foundation is built upon the six promising export industry sectors: IT Services and Software; Financial and Insurance Services/ Technology; Healthcare Services and Innovation; Logistics Management; Corporate HQs; and Tourism. Leveraging the City’s strengths in each of these sectors is essential for building a more resilient and shock-resistant economy.

Scenic Attractions

Scottsdale continues to be recognized nationally and internationally for its beautiful landscapes, vast retail offerings, attainable quality of life and community safety. The city offers a mix of lifestyle options for all income levels and living preferences such as modern urban living, high-end estates and family neighborhoods. Scottsdale was recently ranked among the top cities in the nation to lead an active lifestyle. Professionals from all walks of life have made Scottsdale their home as a result of the city’s commitment to long-range planning and providing a higher quality of life for its citizens. Residents of Scottsdale enjoy activities such as resorts and spas, premier shopping, world class dining, nightlife and hiking the over 30,000 acres of desert mountain preserve.

Community Facilities

While millions of visitors come to experience the best in art, sports, special events and the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, residents stay for so much more. Frequently honored as one of the nation’s best-run cities, Scottsdale is dedicated to the success of its residents and business community. Residents enjoy neighborhoods that straddle the Indian Bend Wash, a flood-control greenbelt and recreational jewel. It includes a 17-mile stretch of off-the-street multi-use paths, parks, a skate park, disc golf, community gardens and other amenities. Residents can paddle class III and IV rapids along the Upper Salt River. Camelback Mountain and Echo Canyon Park to the west offer some of the valley’s most popular hiking trails, not to mention breathtaking views. The Scottsdale area is home to 125 golf courses, 220 tennis courts, dozens of parks, hundreds of miles of bike paths and abundant hiking trails.

Basic Information

Founded 1888 Incorporated 1951
Elevation 1,510 ft. Location Maricopa County
     
Distance to major cities:
Phoenix 15 miles San Diego 365 miles
Tucson 121 miles Los Angeles 382 miles
Las Vegas 309 miles  

Population

2000 2010 2023 (est.)
Scottsdale 202,705 217,365 243,528
Maricopa County 3,072,149 3,824,058 4,507,419
State of Arizona 5,130,632 6,401,569 7,285,370

Office of Economic Opportunity

Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation

SALES TAX / TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX

Scottsdale 1.65%
Maricopa County 0.70%
State 5.60%

Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation

Labor Force

2000 2010 2022
Civilian Labor Force 116,007 119,937 148,944
Unemployed 2,804 7,773 5,161
Unemployment Rate 2.4% 6.5% 3.5%

Office of Economic Opportunity

Workforce Education Attainment

Count Share
Less than high school 6,278 3.2%
High school or equivalent, no college 23,255 11.7%
Some college or Associate degree 51,191 25.7%
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree 118,338 59.4%

American Community Survey

Industry (ranked by employment)

  Count Share
Education, health care & social assistance 26,637 20.1%
Professional, scientific, & administrative services 24,057 18.2%
Finance, insurance & real estate 21,311 16.1%
Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services 14,081 10.6%
Retail trade 13,685 10.3%
Manufacturing 7,754 5.9%
Construction 5,127 3.9%
Other services, except public administration 5,052 3.8%
Transportation, warehousing, & utilities 4,805 3.6%
Wholesale trade 3,742 2.8%
Public administration 2,886 2.2%
Information 2,541 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining 682 0.5%

American Community Survey

This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact:

City of Scottsdale
Rob Millar
7447 E. Indian School Rd., Suite 301
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-312-2533
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.scottsdaleaz.gov
City of Scottsdale, Economic
Development Department

Josh Utterback
7447 E. Indian School Rd., Suite 301
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-312-7057
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.choosescottsdale.com/
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
2 N. Central Avenue, Suite 2500
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-256-7700
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gpec.org
Arizona Commerce Authority
Statewide Economic Development Group
100 N. 7th Ave., Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-845-1200
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.azcommerce.com



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