10 Biggest Cities in Arizona: How Well Do You Know the Grand Canyon State?

According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, these are the 10 largest cities and towns in Arizona. From the state capital to college towns, Arizona’s metropolitan centers have a lot to offer.

1. Phoenix (2013 population: 1,513,367)

It’s the state capital and not only the Arizona’s most populous city, but the most populous of all 50 state capitals, according to mapmaker Rand McNally. It’s way ahead of second-place state capital Indianapolis, Indiana. (2013 population: 852, 866).

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2. Tucson (2013 population: 526,116)

A city whose growth exploded with the arrival of water projects, artsy and eccentric Tucson is trying to rebrand and regrow amid a drought with eco-tourism, according to Slate. Despite the dryness drawback, the city officials expect to double the metropolitan area’s population in the next three decades.

Tucson is also Arizona's largest city closest to the United States-Mexico border — an hour's drive.

3. Mesa (2013 population: 457,587)

This Phoenix suburb has a museum for everything, from assorted arts to pugnacious planes. Chicago Cubs fans can also get their hopes up in spring training.

4. Chandler (2013 population: 249,146)

A high-tech haven in the Phoenix metro area, Chandler is home to computer giant Intel’s second-largest facility and the largest employer in the city.

It’s also home to the design and manufacturing facilities of Orbital Sciences Corp., maker of rocket boosters, satellites, and space probes.

5. Glendale (2013 population: 234,632)

Everything’s football in 2015 in Glendale, including the annual chocolate festival held in January as the city hosts Super Bowl XLIX — properly inflated balls and all — at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

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6. Gilbert (2013 population: 229,972)

Gilbert goes digital every February with a multimedia documentary featuring area residents who send in their own video stories. The premiere’s a big event with the mayor and council and enterprising ticket holders gathering at a watch party. But you can watch it online if you can’t get a ticket.

7. Scottsdale (2013 population: 226,918)

Almost but not quite a Phoenix suburb, thank you very much, Scottsdale calls itself “The West’s Most Western Town.”

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, in the city’s northern reaches, is the largest urban wilderness area in the United States.

8. Tempe (2013 population: 168,228)

The campus of Arizona State University is located here — only a few light rail stops from downtown Phoenix. If that’s not enough, you can take in a Broadway show, or paddle a kayak in the middle of town.

9. Peoria (2013 population: 162,592)

Named after Peoria, Illnois, it’s grown like the prairie fire the Illini Indian word originally meant. Now it’s bigger than its Illinois namesake, which recorded a population of 116, 513 people in 2013.

10. Surprise (2013 pop. 123,546)

Founder Flora Mae Statler said "she would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much," according to her daughter, who’s quoted on the town’s official website. Statler’s square mile of farmland is now home to two college campuses and the spring training headquarters of the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals.

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