Small town in Arizona sees population influx
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As the population of Arizona's capital city soars, around two and half hours north of Phoenix, another city with milder weather and a small–town vibe is facing it's own boom in popularity. Prescott, Arizona, has seen a steady increase in population in recent years, with the number of residents sky rocketing 6.16 percent from 46,056 in 2020 to an estimated 48,891 inhabitants in 2025.
Prescott is certainly benefitting from the spillover of Phoenix's migration swell. The capital is not only the most populous city in Arizona, but also the fifth most populous city in the country. Between 2023 and 2024, 85,000 new residents flocked to Phoenix, largely because of its comparably low cost of living and thriving job market. With a rich history as a frontier gold and silver mining town, Prescott has now become a sought–after spot for second homes – and a popular weekend, summer and vacation destination for Phoenix locals.
Prescott's City Manager Dallin Kimble told the Daily Mail that the city is unique in many ways. While only 90 minutes from Phoenix, it offers a far milder climate and four seasons. The pleasant year–round weather makes Prescott a perfect place to enjoy all the outdoor recreational activities it has to offer – including high lakes and many miles of hiking and biking, Kimble explained. The City Manager also touted Prescott's rich history and culture as attractive qualities the community has to offer.
Kimble attributed Prescott's steady rise in population to families that come and grow there, as well retirees - 'especially from California and the Phoenix area' who decide to settle down there. 'We're focusing on particular businesses and industries that we hope are contributing to that,' Kimble said of the growing population. 'For example, we've got three colleges in town, and we're trying to encourage certain industries', he said, specifying aerospace, advanced manufacturing and tech as examples.
The median age of residents in Prescott is 60.5 – which, Prescott realtor Gwen Holloway explains, is because many of the houses being sold are second home to clients whose primary home is in Phoenix or surrounding areas. Phoenix residents in a post–pandemic era are still favoring home–life, which means city dwellers are opting for a small–town vibe as opposed to the hustle and bustle of a state capital – especially as employees have more opportunities to work from home, and the flexibility that comes with that.
Prescott is the ideal location for these people. With a blend of small–town charm, Western history and scenic beauty – the slower pace of life offered in Prescott is highly attractive to those who are getting older and growing tired of city life. The downtown area, with its historic courthouse and surrounding shops, contributes to the classic small–town feel. Residents often describe a strong sense of community and neighborly connection – in fact, the city is often referred to as 'Everybody's Hometown', because people find it reminds them of where they grew up.
The downtown Prescott area features Victorian homes, saloons along 'Whiskey Row' – a block of historic bars, once a popular spot for cowboys and outlaws – and other retro sites that harken back to the Old West. Surrounded by the Prescott National Forest, the city offers ample opportunities for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The area features five lakes, providing options for kayaking, canoeing, fishing and enjoying scenic views.
Prescott's mild seasons and fresh air make it an appealing destination for those trying to escape the stifling heat and humidity of Phoenix – where there are 111 days of scorching temperatures above 100°F each year. But it's not just Phoenix people are flocking to Prescott from. Brenda Duncan Cusick, 61, left Moorpark, California , a town an hour northwest of Los Angeles after nearly two decades in favor of the Arizona city. Cusick's mortgage payment plunged from a staggering $3,309 to just $1,672 monthly, and she's now living her retirement dream in a 'Hallmark movie' city.
When COVID–19 unleashed remote work possibilities in 2020, Cusick and her husband took a chance on a new life. They sold their California home and joined the wave of retirees flocking to more affordable Arizona. The major financial relief was immediate. After downsizing from their 4–bedroom, 3–bathroom Moorpark home to a 3–bedroom, 2–bathroom property in Prescott, their mortgage payment plunged from a staggering $3,309 to just $1,672 monthly. Their utility and HOA bills in Arizona now average a mere $373 monthly, compared to the $400–$1,200 they routinely paid in California.
And Cusick says the move has completely transformed her quality of life. 'It's a very western town in the mountains of Arizona,' she said. She added that the downtown area reminds her of a Hallmark movie. Cusick is one of many California residents making the migration from the Golden State to Arizona. In 2023 alone, 54,222 people relocated from California to Arizona, representing over 20 percent of all in–migration to the state.
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