‘Tempe Tomorrow’ Plans for Expected Population Growth

Tempe, Arizona is expecting to grow in population by 38% by 2060—from 167,400 residents in 2022 to 269,700. Neighboring cities are expecting similar rates of growth of the time period, too, with Neighboring cities show projected increases as well, with Phoenix expecting a 28% increase Mesa increasing by 18%.

Those population estimates figure prominently in Tempe’s ongoing General Plan update process. Voters are expected to consider the Tempe Tomorrow: General Plan 2050 in March 2040.

A paywalled article by Caroline Yu for the Daily Independent documents some of the big issues at play for the General Plan process, including the aforementioned population growth, as well as transportation projects, economic resilience, and water conservation.

Here is a sample of Yu’s report on these issues:

• On transportation: “But City Traffic Engineer Cathy Hollow says it’s difficult to give an exact answer about how transportation will evolve over the next 30 years, especially as the city just begins to update its transportation plan to guide the city’s transportation projects.”
• On economic resilience: “Anticipating an increase in its workforce and general population, Tempe doesn’t expect to have issues with residents finding jobs. Still, its continued struggle with housing could prevent people from living and working in the city.”
• On water conservation: “Going forward, the city is investing millions into water resources and infrastructure along with making the most of its existing water portfolio. It’s also in the process of rehabilitating the Kyrene Water Reclamation Plant to increase the reuse of reclaimed water.”