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Nestled among the gently rolling hills of the majestic Mogollon Rim—a 7,000-foot, 200-mile-long escarpment—sits quiet and peaceful Payson, Arizona. Graced with spectacular natural beauty, this small town is located between the Sierra Ancha and Mazatzal Mountain Ranges. Giant saguaros march up the low hills, forests cover the higher slopes, and rivers run wildly through surrounding canyons. Residents like to brag that the town is situated in one of only three pure air ozone belts in the world. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, the area enjoys a mild climate that accommodates year-round outdoor exploration, but not at the expense of missing out on seasonal changes. Residents enjoy snow-covered, fragrant pine trees while cross-country skiing in the winter, and extremely pleasant temperatures in the spring, summer, and fall while they hunt, fish, or camp.
The surrounding Tonto National Forest is a major recreational draw for outdoor enthusiasts, hosting the world’s largest stand of ponderosa pine trees. Just minutes away from town are the seven beautiful Rim Lakes, countless trout streams, and miles of mountain trails. Payson is a friendly community where people know each other. Although it’s a modern town with up-to-date health care and educational opportunities, and a downtown full of art galleries and first-rate restaurants, it still maintains its Western heritage. Payson hosts the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, as well as other festivals that hark to the Old West. The Old Time Fiddlers State Championship and the Bluegrass Festival both draw countless visitors each year. Although retirees flock to the area, families and mid-career couples also prosper in Payson due to the burgeoning tourism industry. Businesses wishing to relocate or expand have access to financial incentives and technical support through Payson’s aggressive economy-building programs. Subsequently, Payson’s cutting-edge business environment continues to thrive.
Residents enjoy the scenic freedom of wide-open spaces with all the amenities of modernity. Southwest Mountain Retreat Payson Arizona Giant saguaro cacti march up the low hills around Payson, while pine forests cover the higher slopes. The town is nestled on the Mogollon Rim, a 7,000-foot, 200-mile long escarpment. www.findyourspot.com Find Your Perfect Spot at: www.findyourspot.com Arts & Culture While many small towns offer stunning scenery and peace, some do so at the expense of cultural activities. Not Payson. A broad range of community facilities and institutions—from the Concert Under the Stars series to the Rim Country Museum—enrich residents all year long. With more than two dozen art galleries, jewelry makers, and antique shops found in the area, there’s no reason to go to the big city to shop for fine arts, crafts, and antiques. In October, the Payson Art League’s Fine Art and Craft Show offers locally made artwork to thousands of visitors. As a region with a large concentration of Native Americans, Payson and its surroundings offer numerous opportunities to learn more about ancient and contemporary Native American cultures. An especially educational location is the Shoo-Fly Indian Archaeological Site just outside of town. Payson is also near the Mazatzal Mountains and the reservation lands of the Tonto Apache Tribe, where there are many cultural offerings. Often dubbed “the Festival Capital of Arizona,” Payson’s festival season begins with the May Classic Auto Show and Swap Meet.
A country music festival and the Old Timers Rodeo liven up each June, and the Monsoon 5K Run takes off in July. In August, it’s time for the “World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo,” followed by the State Championship Old Time Fiddlers Contest in September. Fans of spicy food won’t want to miss The Great Payson Jerky Jamboree in October.
The town also sponsors a Christmas Tree Lighting that brings the community together in December. Payson At-A-Glance Climate Payson’s semi-arid climate and higher elevation moderates the temperature extremes of both summer and winter. While temperatures do reach the high 80s and low 90s in summer, the town’s elevation of almost 5,000 feet keeps it protected from the 100+ temperatures found at Arizona’s lower elevations. Summer nights are dreamy, cooling down into the high 50s for comfortable sleeping. Winter is also mild, with few really cold days. January’s average nighttime low is 24 degrees, but by midafternoon, the mercury has usually risen into the 50s. There are only a few days of real winter, with 23 inches of annual snowfall. The weather in Payson is as varied as the landscape, and a snowstorm is often followed by weather so warm that any accumulation melts away within a day or two. In spring the desert blooms with a fiery array of Indian paintbrush, primrose, and the golds and fuchsias of cactus blossoms and other brightly-colored wildflowers. In this mild climate, neither summer nor winter are “indoor” seasons. 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High Low Population: 14,300 (Gila County: 52,000) Avg. July high: 92 Avg. Annual Precipitation: Avg. Annual Snowfall: Cost of Living: Health Care: Housing Costs: Closest Big City: 21 inches 23 inches Avg. January low: 24 60 miles to Phoenix 1 hospital with 43 beds 1-5% above the national average Avg. home price is $283,000.
The Tonto National Forest offers residents thousands of acres of hiking trails, fishing lakes, and remote and pristine wilderness areas. the Salt River Canyon offers outstanding whitewater rafting trips, available through a number of reputable tour companies based in Globe or Fountain Hills. Experienced hard-shell kayakers can also take the waves and holes on their own boats. At several spots, calm eddies front nice little beaches that make scenic camping or picnicking spots. Also nearby are Tonto Natural Bridge and Fort Verde State Parks. Camp at Christopher Creek and Ponderosa Campgrounds on the Tonto River. Downhill skiing is less than four hours away, either by driving north to Flagstaff or east to the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Fort Apache also operates a casino with its ski resort near the town of McNary. For those looking for indoor fun, the Mazatzal Casino just south of town has been billed as “The Friendliest Big Casino in Arizona.” Owned and operated by the Tonto Apache Tribe, the casino is a major area employer and served up Arizona’s first million-dollar jackpot. Golfers will find that Payson Golf Course’s 18 holes are available all year long.
And the recent addition of a theater complex lets you watch the latest Hollywood movies just up the street. Check out the natural history of the area at the Museum of the Forest, take a flightseeing ride over the Tonto National Forest, or do some off-track wagering on the horses. For a relatively small town, Payson offers an amazing variety of fun.
Recreation It’s hard to find a small town with the diverse array of indoor and outdoor allseason activities that Payson offers. For starters, the Tonto National Forest provides thousands of acres of hiking trails and fishing lakes, with vast roadless areas that allow residents and visitors to get as much seclusion as they need. In town, the municipality maintains a swimming pool to refresh residents on hot days, as well as two lush parks for leisurely evening strolls.
The Payson Exotic Zoo exhibits an impressive collection of animals not seen in many facilities several times its size. The ten-acre Green Valley Lake Recreation Area is a great place for still more mountain biking, hiking, and fishing possibilities. Recreational opportunities don’t end at the city limits. Not quite forty miles away, Payson, AZ Education With three public and three private elementary schools, a middle school, a charter school, a high school, and a new community college, Payson offers a complete range of options for learners of all ages.
The Payson Unified School District has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students. Special programs are offered through the Payson Center for Success, designed for adaptive learning for challenged students. Children in the Pine/Strawberry area (approximately fifteen miles north of Payson) attend preschool through eighth grade at the Pine-Strawberry Elementary School and then attend Payson High School. Strawberry also is home to the oldest schoolhouse in Arizona. Gila County Community College has a new full-service campus in Payson. The “Rim Country Campus” here offers courses for transfer, occupational education, and community interest. The nearby Phoenix metro area provides several outstanding resources for higher education. Arizona State University offers three campuses in the Phoenix area, serving nearly 50,000 students. The University of Phoenix caters to working adults, offering on-site and off-site programs in business, technology, human services, counseling, and other fields.
The Art Institute of Phoenix prepares many for careers in computer animation, graphic design, and video production. Housing and Cost of Living The cost of living in Payson is just slightly higher than the national average. While health care, rent, groceries, and energy costs are higher, the cost of housing and other amenities balances out overall costs. Payson’s residents enjoy countless affordable housing options.
The average price for a home in town is $283,000, but plenty of houses can be found for less than $200,000. Homes on the hills surrounding Payson command higher prices, and sales often include more land. Services such as child care are limited because of the town’s small size. However, a variety of centers are available, and costs are comparable to surrounding towns. The median household income for a family in Payson is almost $50,000, which stretches a long way in the area’s affordable housing market. Crime and Safety Overall crime rates in Payson are above the national average, but most transgressions are of a nonviolent nature against property. Violence is extremely rare in and around Payson, with murder being almost unheard of.
The Payson Police Department prosignificantly to Payson’s economy, as do ranching, mining, and smelting. However, new businesses, especially in manufacturing are becoming increasingly important to the area. Payson’s Economic Development Corporation is aggressively promoting the community as a desirable location for new businesses, making a full range of financial resources and technologies available. Additionally, all of Gila County is an Enterprise Zone, which means Payson businesses are eligible for assistance from the Arizona Department of Commerce.
With over $100 million in taxable sales and hundreds of new building permits issued annually, Payson’s economy is hardy enough to support all types of new business endeavors. Some of the area’s major employers are the school district, the medical center, the casino, and the city and county offices. Other local businesses include The Payson Candle Factory and the Payson Roundup newspaper. Without a doubt, Payson’s business climate is just as enjoyable as its weather. tects locals with over 15, full-time officers. Citizens take public safety seriously, employing programs such as Neighborhood Watch and other initiatives.
The Gila County Sheriff ’s Department also employs local help through its Posse program. Formed in 1967, this non-profit program utilizes local volunteers for the purpose of providing additional able bodies to support the Gila County Sheriff ’s Office. Volunteers work during emergency situations, and they assist in community law enforcement and related activities. Health Care With its nearly 100 part- and full-time professionals and specialists, the Payson Regional Medical Center offers residents the finest emergency care in the region. Residents have access to a 44 beds, 24- hour emergency room, a trauma center, radiology and laboratory facilities, three operating suites, and a recovery unit.
Other local medical resources include a number of nursing homes, and more than thirty practicing medical professionals, including physicians, osteopaths, orthodontists, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, opticians and ophthalmologists. Almost every medical service needed is found right in town, but when specialized care is required, metropolitan Phoenix is less than two hours away. Phoenix is one of the premier medical centers in the southwest. Earning A Living Business is booming in Payson, especially in the tourism industry. Although the gorgeous natural scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities are the main draw, Payson is well known for its dozens of fine restaurants, lodges, shops, and guide services. Payson’s numerous festivals also draw thousands of tourists to the area each year. The retirement industry also contributes Copyright 1999-2006. All Rights Reserved. FindYourSpot.com, 2950 Colorful Ave., Suite 400, Longmont, CO 80504 While the above information has been reviewed for accuracy, we are not responsible for errors or omissions. Find Your Spot makes no warranty, either express or implied, regarding the desirability of this city as an ideal destination for our customers. This report may be reproduced in its entirety, without modification, for non-commercial purposes, without prior written consent. Payson, AZ Besides being one of the safest towns in the US, Payson is also affordable. About two-thirds of the area’s properties sell for less than $150,000. The cost of living is near the national average—unusual for such a desirable destination.
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City of PAYSON, AZ official site
City of PAYSON, AZ chamber of commerce
City of PAYSON, AZ general information
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County of GILA, AZ official site