Payson, Arizona

Payson, Arizona
Green Valley Park
Green Valley Park
Flag of Payson, Arizona
Motto: 
"Arizona's Cool Mountain Town"
Location of Payson in Gila County, Arizona
Location of Payson in Gila County, Arizona
Payson, Arizona is located in Arizona
Payson, Arizona
Payson, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Payson, Arizona is located in the United States
Payson, Arizona
Payson, Arizona
Location in United States
Payson, Arizona is located in North America
Payson, Arizona
Payson, Arizona
Location in North America
Coordinates: 34°14′22″N 111°19′39″W / 34.23944°N 111.32750°W / 34.23944; -111.32750
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
CountyGila
Incorporated1973[1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • BodyPayson Town Council
 • MayorChris Higgins
Area
 • Total
19.36 sq mi (50.13 km2)
 • Land19.35 sq mi (50.11 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation5,100 ft (1,554.48 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,361
 • Density845.10/sq mi (326.30/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST (no DST))
ZIP codes
85541, 85547
Area code928
FIPS code04-53700
GNIS ID(s)32746, 2413121
Websitewww.paysonaz.gov

Payson is a town in northern Gila County, Arizona, United States. Due to Payson's location being very near to the geographic center of Arizona, it has been called "The Heart of Arizona". The town is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and the ninth largest national forest in the United States.

Payson boasts a lively festival calendar, including The World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo, established in 1884, as well as the Arizona State Old Time Fiddlin' Championship which celebrates the area's musical heritage.

As of the 2020 census, the population of Payson was 16,361.[4]

  1. ^ http://www.paysonaz.gov/Council/agendas/2015/03-05-15-A/I3cdrtowerwell.pdf Archived August 31, 2021, at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. ^ "Feature Detail Report for: Payson". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  4. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Payson town, Arizona". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved October 28, 2016.[dead link]