Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Phoenix, Arizona
State Arizona
City Phoenix
County1 Maricopa
City Population (2005)2 1,377,980 23.6 % of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 6 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 6 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Phoenix
State Population (2005)2 5,829,839
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Phil Gordon
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.ci.phoenix.gov
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 602-262-7111
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, September 11, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06 No
State Governor Name Janet Napolitano
State/Governor Website http://az.gov/webapp/portal/
State/Governor Contact Information 602-542-4331
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.24    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 15.5%    
     Disability Status 12.7% 18  
     Emphysema 1.14% 23  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.02% 22  
     Diabetes 4.82% 20  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.50% 25  
     Adult Asthma 7.17% 5  
     Adult Obesity 17.9%   7
     People Without Health Insurance 18.7%   46
     Age: Children under 5 years 9.1% 68  
     Age: 65 years and over 7.6% 4  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 17.0% 21  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 19.2% 29  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 42.2% 38  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 5.6% 7  
     Individuals Below Poverty 15.9% 30  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 21.0% 37  
     Free or Reduced Lunch (Not Available) (Not Available)  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 33.9% 53  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.2    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 21.4 (of 51) 19  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 9,122,180 pounds   14
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 7,160,688 pounds 13
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,480,767 pounds 18
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 86,514,430 pounds 15
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 103,859,048 pounds 15
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 14.2 grams 17
Number of Superfund Sites in County 6 sites 58  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.026 tons per person 26
Recycling Rate (1997) 18.0% 38
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 5,195,300 tons 26
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 0.9 tons/person 2
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 1,025,591 tons 24
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 19.7% 27
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -12.3% 9
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 9.4% 12
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    3.3***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 70,700 tons   19
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 84,200 tons   30
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 51,489,900 tons   33
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 1,800 pounds   29
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 12.5 days 50  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 3.5 PM2.5 44  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 10.7 PM2.5 16  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 8.8 days 43  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 2.2 PM2.5 40  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 10.9 PM2.5 22  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 6 ppm 60  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.340 ppm 56  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 62 ug/m3 62  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.003 ppm 15  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 15 days 34  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Poor ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Failing ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Poor ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Lower Salt ---  
# of Units in Watershed 62 units 26  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 7 units 54  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 1 unit 5  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 14.3% 6  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 88.7% 61  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 7.66 inches 71  
Water Area Total, square miles 364 square miles 64  
Water Area Inland, square miles 364 square miles 61  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Phoenix ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 59 years 11  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 36 days 58  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Phoenix ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 61 years 11  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) Trace (Not Available)  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 6,830,000,000 gallons/day 43  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,620,000,000 gallons/day 20  
Ground water, gallons/day 2,840,000,000 gallons/day 21  
Surface water, gallons/day 3,990,000,000 gallons/day 50  
Irrigation, gallons/day 5,670,000,000 gallons/day 25  
Public Supply, gallons/day 846,000,000 gallons/day 31  
Industrial, gallons/day 197,000,000 gallons/day 47  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 62,000,000 gallons/day 61  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 3,830,000,000 gallons/day 21  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Phoenix Municipal Water System ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 1,200,000 people 13  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 27 contaminants 54  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 6 contaminants 55  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 52  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 7 contaminants 55  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 49  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 18 contaminants 54  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 43  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 8 contaminants 47  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 29  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 13 contaminants 51  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 48  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 27 contaminants 54  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 120 contaminants 27  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 102 contaminants 28  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 18 contaminants 27  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    3.0***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 2,781.9 people per square mile 42  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,044.2 housing units per square mile 51  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 26.1 minutes 54  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 23.1 minutes 44  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 17.4% 5  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 3.3% 44  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.1% 39  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.3% 18  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 106.0 45  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 61.3 MV registrations   5
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 86.4%   46
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 34.2 MV registrations   4
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.94 MV registrations   4
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 57,529 miles   18
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.115%   5
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 38.1%   10
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   14
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 16.10 miles   20
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $2,453,000,000   39
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $42,639 per mile   37
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 104.6%   48
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 26.0 hours per person 36  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $431 per person 36  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $1,294,000,000 36  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 15 gallons per person 31  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $41,025 25  
Median Household Income (2000) $41,207 16  
Per capita income (2004) $22,039 35  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $19,833 44  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 12.8% 35  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 15.8% 36  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 15.9% 30  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 2.9% 14  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 21.0% 37  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 40,021 people 60  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 3.9% 11  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.6% 7  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.7% 26  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 5.6% 27  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 5.7% 17  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 0.0% 18  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) No Minimum Wage Law ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 272,357 kids (4.7% of total pop.) 6  
Largest School District Enrollment 22,192 kids (0.4% of total pop.) 63  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 57.8% 31  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 80.8% 44  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 25.1% 47  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 17% 21  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade D   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 489,654 units 6  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 38.5% 59  
Cost of Living: Housing 131.9 53  
Cost of Living: Utilities 103.4 37  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 96.1 10  
Cost of Living: Overall 113.3 48  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 58.09%   37
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 37.60%   44
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 54.30%   47
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 24.6%   46
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,269.0 incidents per 100,000 people 48  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 662.4 incidents per 100,000 people 25  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,606.6 incidents per 100,000 people 53  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,664.1 incidents per 100,000 people 51  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 2.6    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 0.4 parks per square mile 43  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 53.1 park acres per city square mile 17  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 28.0 acres 9  
Parkland as % of City Area 12.2% 12  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $120 per resident 35  
Total City Tree Canopy % 0% 63  
Total City Urbanized Area % 44% 15  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.50% 25
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.17% 5
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.98% 16
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.14% 23
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.02% 22
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.82% 20  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 17.9% 7
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 6.9% 5
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) < 10% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 15%-19% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 19.0% 45
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.4% 19
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 172.7 4
Cost of Living: Health 116.4 49  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 17.1% 40
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 18.7% 46
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 9.4% 48
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 1.6% 49
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 12 farms 25
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 8 markets 38
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 4 restaurants 12
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 2 grocery stores 26
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 3 other sources 24
Cost of Living: Food 104.5 39
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 61.8% 20
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 38.6% 25
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 3.5    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) No ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by Only One or More Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 10 kW   34
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 10 kW   36
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds Support Energy Efficiency   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 15%   10
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2025   20
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes No Residential Energy Codes   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes No Commercial Energy Codes   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 7.5%   16
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 57 years 9
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 81% 1
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.2 mph 59
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 5.3 mph 60
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.1 mph 46
Heating Degree Days 1,350 days 4
Cooling Degree Days 4,162 days 58
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 38 years 26
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 50% 1
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 23% 1
Elevation, feet 1086 feet 58
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 1,377,980 6 (of 72 in EDN study) 23.6% of state population
City Population (2000) 1,321,045 6 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 5,829,839 16 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Southwest ---  
EPA Region 9 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 475.0 square miles 5 0.4% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 113,642 square miles 6  
Watershed Name Lower Salt ---  
Elevation, feet 1,086 ft. (330.3 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 54.2°F (12.3°C) 6
Average Daily Temperature - July 92.8°F (33.8°C) 72  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 31.4 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 70.5% 64  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 7.6% 69  
Under 5 years of age 120,768 kids (9.1% of total pop.) 5  
One Race-White % (2005) 73.7% 20  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 26.3% 53  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 41.8% 9  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 33.9% 20  
Largest School District Name Phoenix Union High ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network