Is Scottsdale part of Phoenix? No. Scottsdale is a separate city with its own mayor, council, police and water utility. It incorporated on June 25, 1951, and became the City of Scottsdale under a voter-approved charter in 1961. It's also celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026.
So why does everyone say "Phoenix"? Scottsdale borders Phoenix to the west and sits in the same county, Maricopa. It's also inside the Census Bureau's Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area, home to about 5.23 million people as of July 1, 2025. "Phoenix" often means the whole Valley, but city limits decide your services, codes and taxes.
Data note: City facts come from the City of Scottsdale's About page, its history page and its 75 Years of Scottsdale History timeline. Population and land area come from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Vintage 2025 estimates; 2020 land area) and Census metro area estimates (July 1, 2025).
Scottsdale vs. Phoenix by the Numbers
Scottsdale (Census QuickFacts)
- Population: 243,006 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
- Land area: 184 square miles (2020)
- City's own figure: 184.5 square miles, stretching 31 miles north to south
Phoenix (Census QuickFacts)
- Population: 1,665,481 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
- Land area: 518 square miles (2020)
The Metro (Census)
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Metro Area: 5,228,938 residents (July 1, 2025)
Phoenix is the big neighbor, nearly seven times Scottsdale's population. But Scottsdale is no suburb in the "bedroom community" sense; it's a full city with its own downtown, resorts and job centers.
Where Scottsdale Sits
The City of Scottsdale describes its borders this way:
- West: Phoenix
- North: Tonto National Forest
- East: McDowell Mountains
- South: Salt River
Elevation runs from 1,150 to 4,877 feet. The city also counts the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which it calls the largest urban wilderness area in the United States, with more than 60 miles of trails.
Nearby Paradise Valley is a separate town too; see Paradise Valley vs. Scottsdale.
What Makes Scottsdale Its Own Place
Per the City of Scottsdale:
- Old Town Scottsdale: more than 90 restaurants, 320 retail shops and more than 80 art galleries
- Visitors: the city draws more than 6 million a year
- Spring training: Scottsdale Stadium has been the San Francisco Giants' Cactus League home since 1982
- Weather: an average of 314 sunny days and 7.66 inches of rain a year
- Its own airport: Scottsdale Airport, at 1,510 feet of elevation
Those are city amenities, run and planned by Scottsdale, not Phoenix. For a broader look at moving here, see our relocation guide.
A Quick History
- 1888: Army Chaplain Winfield Scott and Helen Scott buy 640 acres in the area now bounded by Indian School, Scottsdale, Chaparral and Hayden roads
- 1951: Scottsdale incorporates as a town with 2,032 residents on about half a square mile; Malcolm White becomes the first mayor
- 1951: the town adopts "The West's Most Western Town" as its motto
- 1960: more than 10,000 residents on about 5 square miles
- 1961: voters approve a city charter; Scottsdale becomes a city, and Scottsdale Fashion Square opens
- 2026: the city marks its 75th anniversary
Why It Matters When You Buy
Mailing Address vs. City Limits
A "Scottsdale" mailing address doesn't always mean City of Scottsdale. Parts of north Phoenix use Scottsdale ZIP codes; see Is Kierland in Phoenix or Scottsdale? Before you write an offer, confirm the jurisdiction for the parcel.
What the City Controls
- Zoning, permits and building codes: think pools, casitas and remodels
- Water and trash service: Scottsdale Water serves City of Scottsdale customers
- City sales tax rates and local ordinances, including short-term rental rules
What's the Same Across the Valley
- Maricopa County handles property tax assessment; see when property taxes are due
- The Arizona resale contract and disclosure rules apply statewide
“I hear 'Phoenix or Scottsdale?' on almost every relocation call. My answer is that they're neighbors, not the same city, and the line matters more than people think. When a client finds a home they love, one of the first things I check is which city it's actually in, because that decides who you'll call about a permit, your water bill and more.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
FAQ: Scottsdale and Phoenix
Is Scottsdale part of Phoenix?
No. It's a separate city, incorporated in 1951 and chartered in 1961.
Is Scottsdale in Maricopa County?
Yes, as is Phoenix.
Is Scottsdale a city?
Yes, covering 184.5 square miles, per the city.
Is Scottsdale considered the East Valley?
There's no official boundary, so you'll hear it both ways.
Deciding Between Scottsdale and Phoenix?
I'll help you compare neighborhoods on both sides of the line and confirm exactly which city a home is in before you make an offer.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Scottsdale & Phoenix Real Estate
Start My Home Search · Call or text 602-885-7752
Sources: City of Scottsdale: About Scottsdale · City of Scottsdale: Scottsdale history · City of Scottsdale: 75 Years of Scottsdale History · Census QuickFacts: Scottsdale and Phoenix · Census: Metro area population estimates
Disclaimer: General information. Always verify the jurisdiction of a specific property with the city and county. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Tackett Team, eXp Realty · Get in touch