With a population of more than 508,000 people, Mesa is the 37th largest city in the U.S. and second largest in the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. Mesa covers more than 138 square miles inside the metro area, which has a combined population of 4.8 million and is projected to grow to more than 5.2 million by 2027. Mesa has a larger population than Miami, Minneapolis, Atlanta and St. Louis. Mesa offers a quality urban experience supported by a diversified economic base, excellent educational institutions, business-friendly government, robust utility and transportation infrastructure and an educated workforce.

Principal Economic Activities

Mesa has a diverse economy with key areas of strength being health care, education, aerospace and defense, tourism, and technology (HEAT). Regional employment centers include Downtown Mesa, Falcon District, Fiesta District, Superstition Freeway Corridor, Mesa Riverview and the Mesa Gateway area. The Mesa Gateway area is host to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, the Elliot Road Technology Corridor, the Pecos Advanced Manufacturing Zone, and Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus. Major employers in Mesa include Apple, AT&T, Banner Health, Boeing, Bridgestone, CMC Steel, Dexcom, Empire Southwest, FUJIFILM, Gulfstream, MD Helicopters, Meta, Mitsubishi, Nammo Defense Systems, Northrop Grumman, National General Lender, Santander, Textron, Verra Mobility and ZF Group.

Scenic Attractions

From urban to rural, mountain peaks to desert floors, arts and culture to wildlife and nightlife, each Mesa visitor is given unparalleled access to one of the richest arrays of visitor offerings in the country. Mesa borders the Tonto National Forest and the iconic Superstition Mountains, allowing visitors to experience a wide-open and true Arizona vacation. Mesa is known as an exciting spring training destination as the Chicago Cubs’ Sloan Park and the Oakland A’s Hohokam Stadium attract hundreds of thousands of fans every year for the Cactus League. Mesa boasts year-round sunshine, desert, and mountain landscapes, world-class restaurants, local boutiques and national brands, 40 golf courses, and a wide range of outdoor recreation options.

Community Facilities

Mesa’s large performance venues include the national award-winning Mesa Arts Center, the Mesa Amphitheater and Mesa Community College’s Performing Arts Center. The Mesa Convention Center located in the heart of Downtown Mesa is a full-service facility equipped to handle any conference, event, or occasion. Museums of note include the i.d.e.a. Museum, the Mesa Historical Museum, the Arizona Museum of Natural History, and the Commemorative Air Force Museum. The Mesa Grande Ruins and the Park of the Canals are unique archaeological sites located in Mesa. Mesa has four public libraries, four recreation centers, eight specialty sports complexes, nine aquatics facilities, 19 tennis courts, 66 parks and 76 multipurpose athletic fields, as well as a myriad of other sports, recreation, and arts programs throughout the city. Located in Mesa is Bell Bank Park, a 320-acre, world-class family sports and entertainment park. Mesa is home to the Symphony of the Southwest, Millennial Choirs and Orchestras, the Southwest Shakespeare Company, and many other theater and performing arts groups.