Census: Maricopa population tops 43,000

The government conducts the full census every 10 years as required by the U.S. Constitution. The population counts are hugely important because they determine apportionment of congressional seats to states and how $400 billion in annual federal funding is distributed to local governments across the country.

The city of Maricopa and the Maricopa Unified School District currently receive federal funding based on a special population count that was conducted in 2005 that determined the city to have roughly 15,000 residents.

Cities receive a combined $1,609 from the federal government for each resident, according to data provided by assistant to the city manager Paul Jepson.

The new numbers will more than double the amount of federal funds coming into the city.

“This will give us additional leverage in recruiting new businesses to come to Maricopa,” said Mayor Anthony Smith.

Maricopa is the 19th largest city or town in the state, up from 83rd in 2000. Casa Grande, which is the largest city in Pinal County and 17th most populated in the state, has 48,571 residents.

Pinal County’s population grew by 109 percent in the past 10 years. 

“According the census, we were the fastest-growing county in the nation during the past decade,” said  Pinal County Manager Fritz Behring.