Scottsdale, Arizona is located in the beautiful Sonoran Desert at the foot of the scenic McDowell Mountains. It is bordered by Phoenix to the West, the Tonto National Forrest to the North, the McDowell Mountains to the East, and the Salt River to the South.

Scottsdale is annually rated among the nation’s most desirable communities to live in, visit and do business in.

Scottsdale’s vibrant Old Town is considered the finest urban center in Arizona. It is home to more than 90 restaurants, 320 retail shops and more than 80 art galleries.  Learn more about Old Town Scottsdale.

Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, in the city’s northern reaches, is the largest urban wilderness area in the United States and features more than 60 miles of trails through diverse and scenic desert terrain. Learn more.

SCOTTSDALE FACTS

• County: Maricopa
• Incorporated: 1951
• Slogan: "The West's Most Western Town"
• Official Food: Chili, by 1994 Mayoral proclamation
• Population: 242,700 (July 2017 estimate)
• Size: 184.5 square miles, stretching 31 miles from north to south
• Elevation: from 1,150 to 4,877 feet above sea level. Scottsdale Airport is at 1,510 feet
• Average sunny days: 314
• Average rainfall:  7.66 inches

SCOTTSDALE LINKS

• Annual report to our citizens (PDF)
• City Leadership (PDF)
• Community Profile (PDF)
• Demographics (PDF)
• Simply Better Service for a World Class Community (PDF) 
• Scottsdale Employee Values (PDF)
• Scottsdale Overview Presentation (PDF)
• Scottsdale's History
• Scottsdale Council History
• Community Calendar
• Mayor and City Council
• City Manager
• Scottsdale pools, parks and community centers
• Tourism Reports
• Experience Scottsdale
• Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce
• Scottsdale Sister Cities
• Scottsdale U.S. Census Quick Facts