The metropolitan area of Phoenix, located in the southwestern region of the United States, serves as the epicenter of Arizona's civic and economic affairs. With a staggering population of 1,608,139 residents, as recorded in 2020, Phoenix stands out as the most populous city in the state and the fifth most densely inhabited urban center in the nation. The city's exceptional demographic stature is further accentuated by its exclusive status as the solitary state capital in the U.S. to boast a population of over one million residents, setting it apart as a unique and significant cultural hub.
Phoenix serves as the central hub for the metropolitan region known as the Valley of the Sun, which is located within the expansive Salt River Valley. With a population count of approximately 4.85 million people as of 2020, the Phoenix metropolitan area ranks as the 11th largest in the United States and holds the distinction of being the largest in the Southwestern region of the country. As the seat of Maricopa County, Phoenix boasts an impressive land area of 517.9 square miles, surpassing all other cities in Arizona and ranking as the 11th largest city by land area in the United States. Additionally, the Phoenix metropolitan area reigns as the largest in both population and size within the Arizona Sun Corridor megaregion.