Mesa, Arizona

Mesa is a major city in Maricopa County, Arizona, and is the third-largest city in the state, after Phoenix and Tucson. It’s a sprawling and diverse community that forms a significant part of the East Valley region of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Mesa has a rich history dating back to the Hohokam people and has grown into a bustling urban center with a strong focus on education, healthcare, and arts.

Population: As of the 2020 census, Mesa had a population of 504,258. Current estimates for 2024 place its population at approximately 517,151, reflecting its continued growth.

Climate/Landscape: Mesa is situated in the Sonoran Desert, which means it experiences a quintessential hot and dry desert climate with abundant sunshine throughout the year.

  • Summers are long and intensely hot, with average daily temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F (38°C) from June through September. July highs often climb to 104°F (40°C) or higher. The late summer monsoon season can bring sporadic, heavy thunderstorms.
  • Winters are mild and very pleasant, with average daytime temperatures ranging from the 60s to 70s°F (15-25°C), and rarely dropping below 45°F (7°C). This makes Mesa a popular destination for winter visitors.
  • The landscape is characterized by arid terrain, native desert flora like saguaro cacti and palo verde trees, and distant mountain ranges. To the east, the Usery Mountain Regional Park provides a scenic backdrop with rugged hills and desert trails. While much of Mesa is urbanized, there are numerous parks, green spaces, and golf courses that break up the desert landscape. The city also lies along the Salt River, with reservoirs like Saguaro Lake offering water-based recreation.