Demographics

"We can easily attract a high tech electronics work force from Phoenix because those employees really want to live and work in Payson."
Sam Baker, Vice President and General Manager, Pulau Electronics Corporation.

The population of Payson was a mere 750 when World War II ended in 1945. The cattle ranching community was then, as it is now, the trading center for the Tonto Basin and Rim Country. The 2000 Census put Payson’s population at over 14,000 with around 28,000 people in the market area.

Since the 1970’s, Payson and Arizona Rim Country have experienced steady growth. As a result, the region has attracted a large number of qualified workers seeking employment. Many qualified people currently commute to the Phoenix area for work. Additionally, the region has a force of highly experience younger retirees that bring a wealth of knowledge and flexible work schedules. In addition to the readily available workers, the unparalleled quality of life also allows employers to attract top-notch workers from outside of the area.

Due to the Payson area’s attractive climate, recreational opportunities and life-style, there is little difficulty filling businesses’ employee needs.

Arizona is a right-to-work state.

Population Growth

	1990	2000	2002
Town of Payson	8,377	13,620	14,510
Gila County	40,216	51,335	53,015
Arizona	3,665,228	5,130,632	5,472,750

Labor Force Data

	1990	2000	2002
Civilian Labor Force	3,033	3,367	3,385
Unemployment	110	94	125
Unemployment Rate	3.6%	2.8%	3.7%

Growth Indicators (Town of Payson)

	1990	2000	2002
New Building Permits	321	442	441
Taxable Sales, Millions of Dollars	93.41	241.90	258.31
Net Assessed Valuation, Millions of Dollars	52.54	118.45	144.04

Sources: Ariz. State University, Ariz. Dept. of Revenue, Ariz. Tax Research Foundation

Gila County Employment

Category	1990	2000	2002
Agriculture			110
Construction	600	1,050	850
Finance, Ins. Real Estate	300	275	275
Government	2,750	4,725	4,600
Manufacturing	1,425	1,075	875
Mining	1,275	700	650
Service	2,125	2,575	2,800
Trans, Comm., and Utils.	450	500	475
Trade	2,525	3,325	3,100

Occupation and Average Wages in Payson

Occupation	Employment	Average Wages
Food Preparation/Service Related	2,790	$6.91
Office and Administrative	1,960	$11.30
Construction	1,620	$14.67
Sales and Related	1,470	$9.28
Education, Training, and Library	860	$13.19
Management	840	$20.97
Transportation and Material Moving	780	$9.49

Prepared by the Arizona Department of Economic Security in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002