Mesa, Arizona is basking in the sun as a hot spot for retirees, having welcomed a wave of retirement-age migrants that tops the nation. According to a recent analysis by SmartAsset, the city witnessed a net increase of 4,453 people aged 60 and over in the last year—a figure 50% higher than any other city in the country. This surge is the result of 6,969 seniors moving to Mesa, offset by the departure of 2,516 in 2022, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
With over 180 cities from across all 50 states under examination, SmartAsset’s study highlighted that Mesa's senior demographic now counts for 23% of the city's overall population. Following closely, cities like San Antonio, Texas, Henderson, Nevada; St. Petersburg, Florida, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee round out the top five destinations for retiree influx according to the ABC15 report.
The draw for these retirees often lies in factors such as cost of living, taxation, and climate. "Places with a high cost of living, high taxes and cold winters, for example, could influence retirees to move to warmer locations where they can stretch their retirement savings further and enjoy their free time," explained SmartAsset. This rationale rings particularly true in the southern half of the U.S. where 16 out of the top 20 cities for retiree population growth are located.
It's not just Mesa, however, that's feeling the warmth of the retirement wave. The Grand Canyon State welcomed an impressive 23,515 retirees net in 2022—second only to the perennial retiree paradise, Florida. Arizona’s total senior population, accounts for 25% of the state's residents, with cities like Scottsdale, Peoria, Tucson, and Gilbert also experiencing notable gains in retiree numbers. SmartAsset pointed to South Carolina, Texas, and North Carolina as other states that successfully courted the senior demographic, the Business Journal reported.
The trend underscores a shift towards sunbelt states as prime locations for those seeking to enjoy their golden years in comfort and ease, a development that continues to shape the social and economic landscape of cities like Mesa. For local governments and businesses in these areas, an aging population could mean changes in services and infrastructure to meet the new demands of a demographic that shows no sign of slowing down its migration southward.
