At a glance: Arizona Arizona is the 14th most populous state in the U.S., with 7,582,384 residents across its 113,653 square miles according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 12 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Arizona is home to key economic industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, defense, agriculture and mining. Energy Arizona ranks 32nd for energy production, with nuclear and renewable energy the main products, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state ranks 40th for energy consumption, largely due to its mild winter climate. Arizonans primarily rely on natural gas and nuclear power. Arizona’s residential electricity rate is $0.149/kWh, below the national average of $0.16/kWh. Commercial users pay $0.118, below the national average of $0.126. Industrial users pay $0.081/kWh, slightly above the national average industrial rate of $0.0804/kWh. Residential natural gas prices average $19.44 per thousand cubic feet, 32% higher than the national average of $14.75, according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environment Annual carbon emissions have more than tripled (226%) since 1970, as the state’s population tripled, going from 1.7 million to 7.6 million. Arizona’s population is projected to increase by an additional 17% percent, reaching 8.8 million residents by 2050. About 82 percent of Arizona’s land is under permanent protection through federal, state and tribal agencies. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists 74 species in Arizona as threatened or endangered.
