The town of Paradise Valley is conveniently located in the heart of the Scottsdale-Phoenix metro area. In 1889, surveyors were so overwhelmed by the beauty and tranquility of the desert landscape that they named this area Paradise Valley. The town was incorporated in 1961 after residents set out to keep zoning to a one-acre per house minimum. Citizens wanted to keep the area entirely residential and keep government regulation to a minimum. Throughout the town’s history, the residents have strived to preserve this original mission. In addition to its upscale residential homes, Paradise Valley has the highest median income and the largest percentage of college graduates in the area. It also is known for being home to some of the area’s most luxurious resorts.
The main economic sectors in Paradise Valley are the hospitality and medical trades. The town is home to eight world-class resorts that showcase top-room rates and an average daily rate. These full-service resorts typically include spa services, prestigious restaurants with well-known chefs and resort amenities including golf and tennis. The resorts are extensions of national brands such as the Ritz Calrton, JW Marriott, Omni and Hyatt Andaz, as well as independent hotels such as Sanctuary, Mountain Shadows, Hermosa Inn and Plaza Resort. Paradise Valley offers three medical plazas along with 15 places of worship. World-renown architect Paolo Soleri resided in Paradise Valley. Today, his home and workshop are a top tourist attraction offering visitors a chance to buy handmade Soleri Windbells. Paradise Valley is home to many CEOs, professional athletes and business owners who operate their ventures outside of Paradise Valley.
Paradise Valley offers easy access to biking and hiking trails within the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, a large area of natural desert landscape that includes Squaw Peak, North Mountain and Camelback Mountain. From the tops of the mountains, hikers can see views stretching across the valley.
Visitors must see the Goldwater Memorial, the first major work of art to celebrate the life of Senator Barry Goldwater. A long-time resident of the town, Goldwater retired to Paradise Valley after serving in the U.S. Senate for three decades. The location of Paradise Valley allows residents to easily access services and amenities throughout the valley, especially in Scottsdale and Phoenix. These amenities include libraries, parks, theaters, museums, art galleries and shopping centers. The resorts within the town offer swimming pools, spas, golf courses, tennis courts, restaurants and bars.
| Founded | 1890 | Incorporated | 1961 |
| Elevation | 1,165 ft. | Location | Maricopa County |
| Phoenix | 10 miles | San Diego | 367 miles |
| Tucson | 121 miles | Los Angeles | 385 miles |
| Las Vegas | 302 miles |
| 2000 | 2010 | 2023 (est.) | |
| Paradise Valley | 13,664 | 12,810 | 12,707 |
| 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
| Paradise Valley | 2.50% |
| Maricopa County | 0.70% |
| State | 5.60% |
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
| 2000 | 2010 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian Labor Force | 6,320 | 5,428 | 6,531 |
| Unemployed | 94 | 194 | 123 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.5% | 3.6% | 1.9% |
Office of Economic Opportunity
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 169 | 1.5% |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 877 | 7.9% |
| Some college or Associate degree | 1,960 | 17.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree | 8,144 | 73.0% |
American Community Survey
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Education, health care & social assistance | 1,749 | 28.3% |
| Professional, scientific, & administrative services | 1,264 | 20.5% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 709 | 11.5% |
| Retail trade | 503 | 8.1% |
| Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services | 492 | 8.0% |
| Manufacturing | 405 | 6.6% |
| Wholesale trade | 316 | 5.1% |
| Other services, except public administration | 247 | 4.0% |
| Public administration | 201 | 3.3% |
| Construction | 123 | 2.0% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining | 66 | 1.1% |
| Transportation, warehousing, & utilities | 66 | 1.1% |
| Information | 35 | 0.6% |
American Community Survey
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact: