10 reasons buying land in Arizona still makes sense in 2026

Arizona still delivers what land buyers want most: room to breathe, real economic momentum, and landscapes that feel endless. The state spans 113,998 square miles, and only about 15% is privately owned—most of Arizona is public forest and parkland, state trust land, and Native American reservations, which helps preserve the wide-open character that draws people here (and keeps it special) according to [Wikipedia - Arizona Geography].

Growth is also very real. Arizona added 96,600 residents from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024—a 1.3% increase—bringing the state’s population to 7.6 million, according to the [Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity]. For investors, builders, and long-term holders, that kind of migration supports sustained demand for housing, services, and land in both urban growth corridors and rural, lifestyle-driven markets.

Reasons to Buy Land in Arizona

1. Arizona’s population growth keeps pushing demand outward

When tens of thousands of new residents arrive in a single year, housing and infrastructure don’t just intensify in the city core—they radiate outward into suburbs, exurbs, and nearby smaller towns. Arizona’s addition of 96,600 residents from July 2023 to July 2024 (up 1.3% to 7.6 million total) strengthens the long-term case for buying strategically located land near expanding employment centers, highways, and utilities, according to the [Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity].

2. The Phoenix metro continues to be a major growth engine

Metro Phoenix alone changes the math for Arizona land demand. The Phoenix metropolitan area has an estimated 5.19 million residents, making it the tenth-most populous metropolitan area in the U.S., according to [Wikipedia - Phoenix, Arizona]. That population scale supports ongoing needs for residential lots, industrial parks, logistics sites, commercial pads, and infill opportunities—especially along key commuting and distribution routes.

3. A large, resilient economy supports long-term land value

Arizona isn’t just growing; it’s producing. The state’s total gross state product in 2023 was $508 billion, according to [Wikipedia - Arizona Economy]. A large and diversified economy helps stabilize real estate cycles and supports multiple land use cases—from single-family development and build-to-rent communities to industrial, medical, and mixed-use projects.

4. Rising incomes can translate into stronger buying power

Land markets ultimately follow household capacity and consumer demand. Arizona’s per capita income was $61,652 in 2023 (ranking 33rd in the U.S.), and the 2023 median household income was $74,568 (ranking 19th), according to [Wikipedia - Arizona Economy]. As incomes grow, buyers can support new housing supply, retail services, and upgraded community amenities—creating additional tailwinds for well-located land.

5. Outdoor recreation is an economic driver, not just a lifestyle perk

Arizona’s “quality of life” story is also a measurable business story. Outdoor recreation added $14 billion to Arizona’s economy and represented 110,794 jobs in the state in 2024, according to the [U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis]. That impact supports land demand near trails, lakes, off-road routes, gateway towns, and recreation corridors—where investors may pursue campgrounds, RV sites, small hospitality, storage, or service businesses.

6. Arizonans strongly value national parks and iconic landscapes

Arizona’s natural beauty isn’t a niche preference—it’s a widely shared priority that helps protect long-term appeal. In a January 2025 poll, 97% of Arizonans agreed that national parks and monuments and their natural beauty are essential to the state, according to the [Arizona Attorney General's Office]. For land buyers, that sentiment reinforces why Arizona continues to attract residents, retirees, and visitors—and why properties near protected or scenic areas often command lasting demand.

7. Outdoor recreation is deeply embedded in daily life

When recreation is part of a state’s identity, the surrounding land becomes more valuable for both personal use and business development. In that same January 2025 poll, 79% of Arizona voters said outdoor recreation—like hiking, fishing, and hunting—is an important part of their lives, according to the [Arizona Attorney General's Office]. This demand supports everything from weekend cabins and off-grid parcels to recreation-adjacent services and short-stay accommodations in the right areas.

8. Public lands help preserve the “big open sky” advantage

Arizona’s land pattern is a major differentiator from states where private ownership dominates and sprawl consumes the landscape quickly. Approximately 15% of Arizona’s 113,998 square miles is privately owned, with the remainder made up of public forest and parkland, state trust land, and Native American reservations, according to [Wikipedia - Arizona Geography]. For buyers, that often means more dramatic viewsheds, more nearby recreation, and a stronger sense of place—key drivers of lifestyle demand and long-term desirability.

9. Wilderness designations underscore long-term conservation value

Protected land nearby can strengthen a region’s draw—especially for recreation, tourism, and low-density lifestyle ownership. Total BLM Wilderness Acres in Arizona comprise 1,396,966 acres across 47 areas, according to [Bureau of Land Management - Public Land Statistics 2024]. These designations help maintain the wild character that many buyers seek, while supporting gateway economies that rely on steady visitation.

10. Arizona still offers multiple land strategies—from growth corridors to lifestyle parcels

Arizona works because it supports different goals under one roof: development near fast-growing metros, commercial positioning near expanding job centers, and personal-use or recreational land where the scenery and access to public lands create enduring demand. With the state adding 96,600 residents year over year (July 2023 to July 2024) and reaching 7.6 million people, the macro trend remains clear: Arizona continues to attract households and investment, according to the [Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity].

Final Thoughts

Buying land in Arizona isn’t just about sunshine and views—though it has plenty of both. It’s about aligning with a state that’s expanding in population, anchored by a large economy, supported by rising incomes, and powered by an outdoor recreation sector worth billions. Add in Arizona’s uniquely high share of public, trust, and tribal lands (with only about 15% privately owned), plus more than 1.39 million acres of BLM wilderness, and you get a place where natural character and economic demand can reinforce each other over the long run (sources: [Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity], [Wikipedia - Arizona Economy], [Wikipedia - Arizona Geography], [Bureau of Land Management - Public Land Statistics 2024], [Arizona Attorney General's Office]).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of land are the best investments in Arizona?

Residential land near expanding metros often benefits from population growth and household formation—especially around large employment hubs like the Phoenix metro (estimated 5.19 million residents), according to [Wikipedia - Phoenix, Arizona]. Recreation-adjacent parcels can also perform well in areas supported by strong outdoor participation and spending, including the $14 billion outdoor recreation contribution and 110,794 related jobs in 2024, according to the [U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis].

Why do Arizona’s public lands matter to land buyers?

Arizona’s ownership mix helps preserve scenery and recreation access. Only about 15% of the state is privately owned, with the rest largely consisting of public forest and parkland, state trust land, and Native American reservations, according to [Wikipedia - Arizona Geography]. On top of that, Arizona includes 1,396,966 acres of BLM wilderness across 47 areas, according to [Bureau of Land Management - Public Land Statistics 2024]. Together, these factors support the state’s long-term appeal.

Is Arizona’s economy strong enough to support long-term land appreciation?

Arizona’s economic base is substantial. The state’s total gross state product in 2023 was $508 billion, according to [Wikipedia - Arizona Economy]. Income metrics also show meaningful buying power: per capita income was $61,652 in 2023 (33rd in the U.S.) and median household income was $74,568 (19th), according to [Wikipedia - Arizona Economy].

Is outdoor recreation really that important in Arizona?

Yes—both culturally and economically. A January 2025 poll found that 79% of Arizona voters say outdoor recreation is an important part of their lives, and 97% agree that national parks and monuments and their natural beauty are essential to the state, according to the [Arizona Attorney General's Office]. Outdoor recreation also added $14 billion to Arizona’s economy and represented 110,794 jobs in 2024, according to the [U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis].

How fast is Arizona growing right now?

Arizona added 96,600 residents from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024—a 1.3% increase—bringing the state’s population to 7.6 million, according to the [Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity]. That continued growth supports long-term demand for housing, services, and well-positioned land.