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Overall population density in the Phoenix urbanized area rose substantially in the 1980s after holding steady in the 1960s and 1970s. It appears that population density continued to increase during the 1990s.
SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS
The overall population density of the Phoenix urbanized area, nearly identical in 1960, 1970 and 1980 at about 2,200 residents per square mile, jumped 23 percent between 1980 and 1990, reaching 2,707. The urbanized area consisted of 741 square miles in 1990 - 90 percent more than in 1970, but only 16 percent more than in 1980.
Population density decreases with distance from downtown Phoenix (see Figure I). Between 1970 and 1990, density fell within 3 miles of Central Avenue and Washington Street, but rose elsewhere. From 1990 to 1995, densities increased even at the center (see Figure II). Thus, except within the first 3 miles, densities in 1995 were considerably higher than in 1970.
In the 1970s and 1980s, population density in the urbanized area (defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as the built-up area) jumped at the urban fringe where construction of new residences was concentrated, especially in the southeast and across the north and northwest. Gains were less both inside and outside the ring. Between 1990 and 1995, the location of the ring of new development was not as obvious, probably because of the reduced new construction in the early years of this period in response to an economic slump then a slow recovery. The largest increases between 1990 and 1995 occurred in east central Phoenix and at the southern edge.
The more densely settled portions of the Phoenix urbanized area have a relatively high proportion of multifamily housing. Population densities in 1995 were highest in Phoenix west of 35th Avenue. The lowest densities given distance from downtown Phoenix were southeast of the airport and in the northeast quadrant.
FACTORS AFFECTING DENSITY
Population density is a function of the number of occupied housing units per square mile and average household size. In the 1960s, occupied housing density rose modestly, but was offset by a decrease in average household size. In the 1970s, occupied housing density increased more rapidly, but was negated by a significant decrease in household size. In the 1980s, household size dropped modestly,...