COMMUNITY PROFILE
Courtesy of the Arizona State Department of Commerce
| FOUNDED: 1884
|
INCORPORATED: 1973 |
| COUNTY: GILA
|
ELEVATION: 4,982 |
|
DISTANCE TO PHOENIX: 93 MILES |
Payson, located at the "Heart" of Arizona and a
pleasant 90-minute drive from the Phoenix metropolitan
area, is renowned
for its beauty, recreational opportunities and, more
recently, its dynamic business environment.
At an elevation nearing 5,000 feet, the area enjoys a
mild four-season climate that attracts visitors from
throughout the world the year around. Rich in its Western
heritage, Payson - with an average trade population of
some 28,000 - offers the atmosphere of rural America, with
the amenities of a metropolis.
Principal Economic Activities...
The local economy is dominated by the tourism and
retirement industries, with a growing emphasis on
manufacturing and service firms. Also being encouraged is
light industry that is compatible with the community's
"High Quality of Life." Many Arizonans and visitors alike
migrate to cool Payson in the summer. In the winter, the
community attracts many visitors who want to enjoy its
scenery, mild climate and rural atmosphere.
Among the area's major employers are the Payson Unified
School District, the Mazatzal Casino, the Payson Regional
Medical Center, and the Town of Payson. In recent years,
several manufacturing operations have located in Payson,
including Precision Intricast (precision orthotics device
manufacturer), Pulau Electronics,
 Custom
Aircraft (airplane assembly/repair firm), and Daryl's
Precision (precision machine work). Other employers
include Gollipops (lollipop producer) and the Payson
Candle Factory.
The Town of Payson Economic Development Department
works actively with new and existing business to provide
high quality business and employment opportunities for
area residents. It operates a revolving fund loan program
for use by local and relocating firms requiring
low-interest financing. All of Gila County is an
Enterprise Zone.
Scenic Attractions...
Nestled in the gently rolling hills of the majestic
Mogollon Rim - a 7,000 foot, 200 mile long escarpment -
Payson is just minutes away from the seven Rim Lakes and
countless trout streams. Popular outdoor activities
include hiking, fishing, camping, golf, horseback riding,
cross-country skiing and hunting. One of only three pure
air ozone belts in the world, Payson sits on the edge of
the world’s largest stand of ponderosa pine.
Local attractions include the Tonto National Bridge,
Shoo-Fly Indian Archaeological Site, Payson Exotic Zoo,
Tonto Fish Hatchery, a llama ranch, a town-wide Christmas
tree lighting ceremony, and the new 45-acre Green Valley
Park featuring three fishing lakes and space for many
recreational activities.
Payson also boasts the Recreational Fly-in Campground
located at Payson Airport. Payson hosts the "World's
Oldest Continuous Rodeo" in August and the Spring Pro
Rodeo in May. Other festivals occur throughout the year,
including the Art and Craft shows, the June Bug Blues
Festival, and the State Championship Fiddlers Contest in
September.
POPULATION...
|
|
1990 |
2000 |
2002 |
|
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 |
Sources: Arizona Department of
Economic Security and U.S. Census Bureau.
PAYSON LABOR FORCE...
|
|
1990 |
2000 |
2002 |
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
3,033 |
3,367 |
3,385 |
|
Unemployed |
110 |
94 |
125 |
|
Unemployment Rate
|
3.6% |
2.8% |
3.7% |
Source: Arizona Department of
Economic Security.
GROWTH INDICATORS...
|
|
1990 |
2000 |
2002 |
|
Taxable Sales ($)
|
93,413,750 |
241,901,550 |
258,308,450 |
|
New Building Permits
|
321 |
442 |
441 |
|
Net Assessed Valuation
($) |
52,544,663 |
118,452,332 |
144,040,074 |
Sources: AZ State University; AZ Dept
of Revenue; AZ Tax Research Foundation.
PROPERTY TAX RATE PER $100 ASSESSED
VALUATION...
|
|
1990 |
2000 |
2002 |
|
Elem/High School |
$ 6.77 |
$ 5.62 |
$ 5.42 |
|
City/Fire Dist |
0.70 |
0.40 |
0.35 |
|
County |
4.91 |
5.37 |
5.78 |
|
Total |
$12.38 |
$11.39 |
$11.55 |
Note: Property tax in Arizona is based
on assessed valuation which is 10 percent of market value
for residential property. Average tax rate on homes in
Arizona before exemptions and rebates is 1.3% of market
value.
SALES TAX RATES...
| City - 2% |
County - 1% |
State - 5.6% |
· Additonal demographic and
economic data may be obtained by following
this link to a web site compiled by Ronald
Gunderson, Professor of Economics, Northern Arizona
University.
Community Facilities...
Payson offers a broad range of community facilities,
including a new 16,000 sf library, museum,
state-of-the-art indoor multi-plex movie theater, three
golf courses, three lighted tennis courts, an auditorium,
swimming pool, two parks, a bowling alley and a new
36-acre multi-event outdoor entertainment center. The new
Gila Community College complex consists of 20,000 sf in
four buildings on 53 wooded acres.
COMMUNICATION - In addition to communication resources
from the rest of the state, Payson has a local bi-weekly
newspaper, The Payson Roundup, two local radio stations
and one television station, and numerous television and
radio stations from Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff.
Cellular, fiber optics, cable TV, digital switching, local
internet dial-up and local cable internet services are
also available.
EDUCATION - Payson has three elementary schools, one
middle school, one high school, several private schools
and a community college with five degree and three
certificate programs. Northern Arizona University, in
partnerdship with Gila Community College, offers
undergraduate and graduate programs. For more information,
call (928) 474-2224.
MEDICAL - The 66-bed Payson Regional Medical Center has
helicopter medical transport and contains an emergency
room and trauma center, radiology and laboratory
facilities, three operating suites, outpatient rooms, and
an eight-bed recovery unit. Other medical resources are
two nursing homes and more than 30 medical professionals
including physicians, osteopaths, orthodontists, dentists,
optometrists, chiropractors, opticians, and
ophthalmologists.
FINANCIAL - There are nine full-service banks and four
mortgage banking offices in Payson. Payson businesses are
eligible for assistance in financing fixed assets through
the Finance and Administration Division of the Arizona
Department of Commerce. Information on private activity
bonds within the town may be obtained from the same source
or from the Industrial Development Authority of Payson,
Payson Economic Development Corporation, Arizona; c/o
Director for Economic Development; Payson Town Hall; 303
North Beeline Highway; Payson, Arizona 85541.
GOVERNMENTAL - Payson is governed by a mayor and six
council members. The town has a full-service police
department and a full-service fire department with two
stations. The Gila County Sheriff and the Department of
Public Safety also maintain offices in Payson.
AIRPORT - Payson Municipal Airport (CTAF 122.8)
supports some 30,000 operations per year on its lighted
5,500-foot runway and offers FBO, fueling, maintenance
facilities, hangars, tie-downs, flight instruction, scenic
flights, charter service, and a restaurant. The latest
addition is a "fly-in campground" with runway access.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES - There are two industrial parks
available. One is just west of the junction of state Route
87 and state Route 260; the other is adjacent to Payson
Municipal Airport. For additional information, contact the
Payson Chamber of Commerce.
UTILITIES...
Electricity: APS, 1-800-253-5405
Natural Gas: Energy West, (928) 474-2294
Telephone: Qwest, 1-800-244-1111
Water: Town of Payson, 474-5242
Sewer: Northern Gila County Sanitary District, 474-5257
LODGING AND MEETING FACILITIES - Payson is home to nine
motels with a total of approximately 600 rooms; meeting
facilities are available, with the largest seating 600
people. Additionally, the area offers several bed and
breakfast and cabin facilities, as well as nine RV parks
and six campgrounds.
Weather Statistic, averages*...
|
MONTH |
Daily Max °F |
Daily Min °F |
Total Precip (inches)
|
|
January |
53.1 |
23.7 |
2.11 |
|
February |
57.2 |
25.8 |
1.43 |
|
March |
61.4 |
28.4 |
1.78 |
|
April |
70.0 |
34.7 |
0.96 |
|
May |
79.8 |
41.2 |
0.43 |
|
June |
88.9 |
49.0 |
0.50 |
|
July |
92.5 |
58.5 |
3.10 |
|
August |
89.2 |
57.0 |
3.30 |
|
September |
85.2 |
49.8 |
1.86 |
|
October |
75.5 |
40.0 |
1.64 |
|
November |
63.3 |
30.5 |
1.45 |
|
December |
55.2 |
24.5 |
2.21 |
|
YEAR |
72.5 |
38.6 |
20.77 |
*Payson Reporting Station, elevation:
4,913 feet.
Average Total Snow, Sleet and Hail Annually: 24.7 inches
(Based on a 30-year average)
This profile was prepared by the Arizona
Department of Commerce Communications Division in
cooperation with the Rim Country Regional Chamber of
Commerce. |
