Drug & Alcohol Testing Centers, Phoenix, AZ
Accredited Drug Testing Inc, is the nation's leading provider of drug, alcohol, occupational health, and DNA testing and has testing centers in Phoenix, AZ and throughout the local area. Testing centers are within minutes of your home or office and same day service is available in most cases.
515 W BUCKEYE RD STE 202 0.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85003
1201 S 7TH AVE 1.0 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85007
1300 N 12TH ST STE 617 1.4 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85006
1300 N 12TH ST STE 520 1.4 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85006
1441 N 12TH ST BLDG 405 1.5 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85006
1800 E VAN BUREN ST 1.8 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85006
515 N 18TH ST 1.8 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85006
1818 E SKY HARBOR CIR N STE 150 1.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85034
1818 E SKY HARBOR CIR N BLDG 2 STE 150 1.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85034
2601 N 3RD ST STE 102 2.0 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85004
PO BOX 18232 2.7 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85005
1701 E THOMAS RD STE 104 2.8 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85016
3302 W THOMAS RD STE 10 3.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85017
4635 N 14TH ST 4.1 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85014
3532 W THOMAS RD ste 5 4.2 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85019
3501 W OSBORN RD 4.5 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85019
5201 N 19TH AVE STE 100 4.7 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85015
3930 E WATKINS ST STE 300 4.8 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85034
5501 N 19TH AVE STE 208 4.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85015
2301 N 44TH ST 5.3 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85008
4100 E BROADWAY RD 5.5 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85040
4501 E THOMAS RD STE 105 5.6 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85018
5340 W BUCKEYE RD STE 3 5.8 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85043
5064 E MCDOWELL RD 6.0 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85008
7802 N 43RD AVE STE 5 6.2 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85301
1724 W 4TH ST 6.3 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85281
4730 E Indian School Rd Ste 211 6.3 miles
Phoenix, AZ 85018
3500 E SKY HARBOR BLVD 6.4 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85034
5259 W INDIAN SCHOOL RD STE 100 6.5 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85031
5920 W MCDOWELL RD 6.6 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85035
7227 N 16TH ST STE 235 6.7 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85020
7227 N 16TH ST STE 150 6.7 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85020
1626 S PRIEST DR STE 100 7.0 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85281
7720 N 16TH ST STE 200 7.2 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85020
2720 W BASELINE RD Ste 140 7.3 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85283
2727 W BASELINE RD STE 18 7.4 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85283
8101 N 19th Ave Ste A 7.5 miles
Phoenix, AZ 85021
2338 W ROYAL PALM RD STE J 7.7 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85021
950 W SOUTHERN AVE 8.0 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85282
1500 S MILL AVE 8.1 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85281
1522 N CAVE CREEK RD 8.3 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85020
9250 N. 3RD ST. #3017 8.4 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85020
2423 W DUNLAP AVE STE 150 8.5 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85021
6834 S 65TH DR 8.5 miles
LAVEEN, AZ 85339
914 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 104 8.5 miles
Tempe, AZ 85281
2010 N 75TH AVE 8.6 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85035
3244 S MILL AVE STE 103 8.6 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85282
940 E UNIVERSITY DR STE 105 8.8 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85281
7400 E OSBORN RD 9.1 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251
3271 N CIVIC CENTER PLZ STE 9 9.2 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251
1804 W ELLIOT RD 9.2 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85284
2860 W PEORIA AVE STE B 9.6 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85029
7730 E MCDOWELL RD STE 101 9.7 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85257
8260 W INDIAN SCHOOL RD STE 1 9.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85033
10240 North 43rd Avenue Ste 3 9.9 miles
Glendale, AZ 85302
2330 S MCCLINTOCK DR 10.0 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85282
4910 E RAY RD STE 9 10.4 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85044
1950 E SOUTHERN AVE, STE 101 10.7 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85282
12808 N BLACK CANYON HWY 10.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85029
4902 E SHEA BLVD 10.9 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85254
15810 S 45TH ST Ste 110 11.1 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85048
9305 W THOMAS RD STE 235 11.1 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85037
2435 E SOUTHERN AVE STE 5 11.5 miles
TEMPE, AZ 85282
16611 S 40TH ST ste 120 11.7 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85048
16515 S 40TH ST STE 113 11.7 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85048
4959 W RAY RD STE 33 11.7 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85226
3131 E THUNDERBIRD RD STE A 11.8 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85032
2225 W SOUTHERN AVE 11.9 miles
MESA, AZ 85202
9870 W LOWER BUCKEYE RD STE 170 AND 173 11.9 miles
TOLLESON, AZ 85353
6990 E SHEA BLVD STE 125 12.3 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85254
1710 W SOUTHERN AVE 12.5 miles
MESA, AZ 85202
10335 N SCOTTSDALE RD 12.5 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85253
5601 W EUGIE AVE STE 213 12.5 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85304
5410 W Thunderbird Rd Ste 101 12.7 miles
Glendale, AZ 85306
5555 W THUNDERBIRD RD 12.7 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85306
7425 E Shea Blvd Ste 108 12.8 miles
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
3229 E GREENWAY RD STE 102 12.8 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85032
5750 W THUNDERBIRD RD STE E540 12.9 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85306
3102 E GREENWAY RD PO BOX 55030 12.9 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85032
9494 W NORTHERN AVE STE 101 13.0 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85305
835 W UNIVERSITY DR 13.1 miles
MESA, AZ 85201
401 E BELL RD STE 18 13.2 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85022
1717 E BELL RD 13.4 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85022
8989 E VIA LINDA STE 111 13.6 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85258
2875 W RAY RD STE 8 13.7 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85224
2075 W WARNER RD STE 2 13.7 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85224
4810 W BEVERLY LN 13.8 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85306
3180 N ALMA SCHOOL RD STE 1 14.1 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85224
13260 N 94TH DR MEDICAL CENTER #3, STE 106 14.3 miles
PEORIA, AZ 85381
11250 N 92ND ST 14.6 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260
535 E McKellips Rd Ste 101 14.7 miles
Mesa, AZ 85203
535 E MCKELLIPS RD 14.7 miles
MESA, AZ 85203
14155 N 83RD AVE BLDG 8 STE 148 14.7 miles
PEORIA, AZ 85381
19636 N 27TH AVE STE 102 15.2 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85027
19829 N 27TH AVE 15.2 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85027
13075 W MCDOWELL RD STE D106 15.4 miles
AVONDALE, AZ 85392
561 E ELLIOT RD STE 171 15.4 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85225
1955 W FRYE RD 15.4 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85224
475 S DOBSON RD 15.5 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85224
600 S DOBSON RD STE C-26 15.5 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85224
18589 N 59TH AVE STE 101 15.6 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85308
15223 N 87TH ST STE 110 15.7 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260
936 W CHANDLER BLVD STE 1 15.9 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85225
13555 W MCDOWELL RD, STE 208 16.0 miles
GOODYEAR, AZ 85395
18701 N 67TH AVE 16.0 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85308
6525 W SACK DR STE 306 16.1 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85308
501 W VAN BUREN ST STE L 16.1 miles
AVONDALE, AZ 85323
10401 W THUNDERBIRD BLVD 16.2 miles
SUN CITY, AZ 85351
5777 E MAYO BLVD 16.3 miles
PHOENIX, AZ 85054
PO BOX 2123 16.3 miles
SUN CITY, AZ 85372
13677 W MCDOWELL RD 16.3 miles
GOODYEAR, AZ 85395
1507 N LITCHFIELD RD 16.4 miles
Goodyear, AZ 85395
2910 N LITCHFIELD RD 16.5 miles
GOODYEAR, AZ 85395
1151 N GILBERT RD 16.5 miles
MESA, AZ 85203
18301 N 79TH AVE STE D148 16.6 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85308
20280 N 59TH AVE STE 116 16.6 miles
GLENDALE, AZ 85308
8585 E HARTFORD DR STE 105 16.8 miles
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255
20950 N Tatum Blvd Ste 190 16.8 miles
Phoenix, AZ 85050
201 W GUADALUPE RD STE 302 17.1 miles
GILBERT, AZ 85233
14044 W CAMELBACK RD STE 226 17.1 miles
LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ 85340
2048 E BASELINE RD STE C-5 17.2 miles
MESA, AZ 85204
9745 W Bell Road Ste 105 17.3 miles
Sun City, AZ 85351
3130 E BASELINE RD STE 105 18.3 miles
MESA, AZ 85204
415 N VAL VISTA DR STE 101 18.6 miles
MESA, AZ 85213
3730 W HAPPY VALLEY RD STE 100 18.7 miles
Glendale, AZ 85310
1959 S VAL VISTA DR STE 106 19.0 miles
MESA, AZ 85204
3705 S ARIZONA AVE STE 1 19.1 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85248
20470 N LAKE PLEASANT RD 19.4 miles
PEORIA, AZ 85382
3921 E BASELINE RD STE 110 19.4 miles
GILBERT, AZ 85234
4401 E McKellips Rd Ste 102 19.5 miles
Mesa, AZ 85215
12775 W BELL RD 19.7 miles
SURPRISE, AZ 85378
250 W CHANDLER HEIGHTS RD 19.9 miles
CHANDLER, AZ 85248
26627 S SNEAD DR 19.9 miles
SUN LAKES, AZ 85248
920 E WILLIAMS FIELD RD STE 101 20.2 miles
GILBERT, AZ 85295
2550 N Thunderbird Cir STE 123 20.5 miles
Mesa, AZ 85215
1920 N Higley Rd Ste 108 21.0 miles
Gilbert, AZ 85234
6118 E BROWN RD. 21.6 miles
MESA, AZ 85205
14418 W MEEKER BLVD STE 104 22.4 miles
SUN CITY WEST, AZ 85375
1066 N POWER RD 22.5 miles
MESA, AZ 85205
15351 W BELL RD STE 100 22.5 miles
SURPRISE, AZ 85374
17225 E SHEA BLVD STE 105 22.5 miles
FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ 85268
14800 W Mountain View Blvd Ste 100 22.7 miles
Surprise, AZ 85374
1810 S POWER RD 22.9 miles
MESA, AZ 85206
Drug and alcohol testing services are provided for employers and individuals and are administered for various reasons including Employment related such as pre-employment, random, post accident and reasonable suspicion, also US DOT-Part 40, Court Ordered, School and personal reasons.
Scheduling a drug, alcohol or any testing service at any of our Phoenix, AZ testing facilities is simple and easy. Call (800)221-4291 or you may schedule a test online 24/7 by clicking below and receive your donor pass/registration form with the testing center address and instructions via email.
Customer Service Is Our #1 Priority- Our Drug Testing centers recognize that needing a drug, alcohol or occupational health test can be stressful at times. Accredited Drug Testing takes the stress out of a stressful situation and is available to answer any questions you may have and provide our services in a friendly, courteous and confidential manner. Call our scheduling department today at (800)221-4291.
View all available drug testing services
Types of Drug Testing Methods Available
Our testing centers provide many types of drug testing methods, below is a brief description of each method choose the one that is right for your need.
Urine Test - Urine - Accredited Drug Testing provides drug testing utilizing the Urine screening method. Urine drug testing can be screened for 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 15 panel screenings. Urine drug tests can also include an expanded opiates analysis. Same day service is available and testing centers are located in all cities and in most cases within minutes from your home or office. The detection period for a urine drug test is up to 3-5 days and results are reported in most cases in 2- 3 days.
The procedure for a urine drug test is simple. A donor provides a urine specimen in a cup to a drug testing collection specialist who will then seal the specimen cup, complete various documentation including a chain of custody form, have the donor initial the specimen cup seal, provide identification and upon completion of the collection and paperwork the specimen will be sent in a secure manner by Currier to the laboratory for testing.
Hair Drug Testing - Accredited Drug Testing can provide a drug test utilizing the Hair follicle drug test method and a Hair drug test can be tested for 5, 10, and 12 panel screenings. The detection period for a hair drug test is up to 90 days and results are reported in most cases in 3 -5 days.
The hair drug test is becoming more frequently used by employers, courts and other government agencies due to the fact that the window of detection for illegal drug use for a hair is up to 90 days. Many courts have begun accepting hair testing in place of urine or blood testing and hair testing has been determined to be legally and scientifically admissible evidence in a court of law.
A hair drug test is a simple process whereby a drug testing collection specialist cuts approximately 120 strands of hair from the head or a specific amount from the body and submits the hair to a certified laboratory for analysis. A hair follicle drug test can be screened for a 5 panel, 10 panel or 12 panel test and can also include expanded opiates. If a donor does not have 1 ½ inches of hair on their head, body hair can be utilized, however, if the donor is bald and has none or very little body hair, a hair drug test is not an available option, a urine or oral/saliva test should be utilized.
In addition to our standard drug test panels, opioid screening can be added to any drug test to determine the use and/or abuse of any prescription drugs.
US DOT Testing and Part 40 Compliance - Accredited Drug Testing provides DOT drug testing for pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and return to duty for companies or employees regulated and covered by 49 CFR Part 40 including FMCSA, USCG, FTA, FRA, FAA, PHMSA. The drug test required by the Department of Transportation is a 5-panel urine test, which must be analyzed by SAMHSA certified laboratory and verified by a Medical Review Officer (MRO).
Additional DOT services include:
- -DOT Consortium Membership (random testing)
- -DOT Supervisor Training
- -MVR Reports
- -DOT Drug Policy Development
- -DOT Physicals
- -DOT Breath Alcohol Testing
Our Phoenix, AZ testing centers have certified DOT drug testing collection specialists who are trained in the proper collection of a DOT drug test.
The Opioid Overdose Crisis
Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.
- Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
- Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.
- An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.
- About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
- Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.
- The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 through September 2017.
- Opioid overdoses in large cities increase by 54 percent in 16 states.
In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers, and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. This subsequently led to widespread diversion and misuse of these medications before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive.3,4 Opioid overdose rates began to increase. In 2017, more than 47,000 Americans died as a result of an opioid overdose, including prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.1That same year, an estimated 1.7 million people in the United States suffered from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers, and 652,000 suffered from a heroin use disorder (not mutually exclusive)
Court Ordered Testing - Accredited Drug Testing and our Phoenix, AZ drug testing centers also provide drug and alcohol testing for probation and other court ordered testing requirements. Testing services include ETG alcohol testing and drug testing utilizing urine and hair methods. Test results can be sent directly to Probation Officers, Judges, Attorneys or other parties as required. Strict confidentiality is assured.
Alcohol Testing - Accredited Drug Testing and our Phoenix, AZ testing centers provide alcohol testing including ETG testing in both urine and hair and Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT). Alcohol testing can be added to any drug test screening.
Testing Facilities Nationwide - In addition to our drug and alcohol testing centers in Phoenix, AZ and the local area, Accredited Drug Testing has company owned and affiliated collection sites in all States and most cities to serve our clients' needs when traveling or employment related testing is required in multiple cities or States.
On-Site/Mobile Testing - Time Is Money!- Accredited Drug Testing provides On-Site drug testing services in all cities nationwide and can be used for construction sites, sporting events, job fairs and trucking/transportation companies, on site testing is available for DOT and NON-DOT regulated employers. In most cases, on-site mobile testing is cost effective when you have 10 or more employees needing to be drug or alcohol tested without leaving the job site.
Employer testing/account setup - If you are an employer with at least 5 employees and would like to set up an account for future testing, it's simple and easy. Call us and speak with a client relations representative, (800)221-4291 it takes 5 minutes or less to complete. Account benefits include no setup fees, test discounts, invoicing, test status tracking and personalized customer service.
Does Your Company Have a Written Drug Policy? - Employee Drug & alcohol testing is utilized best when conducted in conjunction with a clear, written drug policy that is shared with all employees, along with employee education about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, supervisor training on the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide help for employees who may have an alcohol or drug problem. If your company does not have a written drug and alcohol policy or your current policy needs to be revised, Accredited Drug Testing specializes in the development and implementation of an employer's drug and alcohol policy which complies with state and federal law.
DNA Testing Services -Accredited Drug Testing provides DNA testing at testing centers Nationwide for paternity, immigration, and family relationship purposes. DNA testing centers are located in most cities and within minutes of your home or office.
DNA testing can provide an accurate determination of the probability of paternity at 99% more of who the child's biological father or mother is. The initial DNA test takes only a few minutes at the testing center and involves the swabbing of the child and alleged fathers mouth, which will provide saliva to be analyzed by a certified laboratory. Our DNA results are analyzed by a certified AABB laboratory and can be used in a legal proceeding to determine paternity or child custody related issues.
"When you need a test, choose the best!"
Alcohol Testing Phoenix, AZ Services
(800)221-4291
For more information regarding the effects of drug abuse - Click Here
For more information on a drug free work place - Click Here
Handy Resources
Comprehensive Online Resources for Drug Testing
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Provides comprehensive information on drug testing and its role in substance use disorder treatment.
- FDA: Drug Testing
Explains the FDA's role and regulations concerning drug testing for consumers.
- PDR.net
Provides detailed drug information and safety updates through a mobile-friendly platform.
- BeSafeRx - FDA
Resource by the FDA to help consumers identify and choose safe online pharmacies.
- SAMHSA: Drug Testing Resources for the Workplace
Resources and guidelines for drug testing in the workplace.
- Drugs.com
Provides drug information, side effects, and interactions for consumers and professionals.
- Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)
Online version of the DAST to help individuals assess whether they have a drug problem.
- Merck Manuals
Consumer-friendly medical resource providing comprehensive information on a wide array of health topics, including drug testing.
- SAMHSA Store
Provides access to resources and publications on substance use prevention and treatment.
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
Information on state boards of pharmacy and regulations, including those related to drug testing.
- CDC: Workplace Health Promotion
CDC's resources on substance use and drug testing in the workplace.
- Mayo Clinic: Drug Testing
General information about the procedures and types of drug tests.
- MedlinePlus: Drug Testing
Offers information about various drug tests and their uses in medical diagnosis and treatment.
- University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia
Provides a detailed entry on drug testing, including how tests are conducted and what they detect.
- World Health Organization (WHO)
International guidelines and information on public health, including substance abuse and drug testing.
- Healthline: Drug Testing
Consumer health site offering information on how drug tests work and what they look for.
- WebMD: Drug Testing
Provides a patient-oriented overview of drug testing and its purposes.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Provides a vast database of scientific studies, including research on drug testing and its effectiveness.
AI Overview
Overview of Drug Testing Collection Centers
Drug testing collection centers are specialized facilities where individuals submit biological samples for drug testing. These centers play a crucial role in the drug testing process, serving industries such as transportation, healthcare, sports, and many sectors requiring workplace safety and compliance with drug-free policies. This overview details the functions, types of tests conducted, and what individuals can expect during a visit to a drug testing collection center.
Functions of Drug Testing Collection Centers
Collection centers are primarily responsible for the secure and proper collection of samples, ensuring that they are uncontaminated and accurately reflect the subject's drug use status. They adhere to strict procedures to maintain confidentiality and integrity of the testing process.
Types of Tests Conducted
- Urine Testing: The most common form of drug testing, used to detect recent use of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and others.
- Hair Follicle Testing: Provides a longer detection window compared to urine testing and is used to analyze drug use over a period of months.
- Saliva Testing: Used for its non-invasive nature and ability to detect immediate drug use.
- Blood Testing: Although less common due to its invasive nature, it is the most accurate form of drug testing.
What to Expect at a Collection Center
- Identification Verification: Upon arrival, individuals must present valid identification to ensure that the samples correspond to the correct person.
- Sample Collection: Trained professionals collect samples in a manner that minimizes the chance of tampering or contamination. This might involve measures such as securing personal belongings and direct observation during sample provision.
- Chain of Custody: Each sample is handled with a documented chain of custody procedure to maintain its integrity from collection to testing laboratory.
Importance of Collection Centers
Drug testing collection centers are vital for ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the drug testing process. They provide essential services that help employers maintain a safe and productive workplace, enforce legal and regulatory requirements, and assist in rehabilitation processes. The professionalism and accuracy practiced by these centers are crucial for upholding the trust and safety standards expected in many professional environments.
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Local Area Info: Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of Arizona, with 1,626,000 people (as of 2017[update]). It is also the fifth most populous city in the United States, and the most populous American state capital, and the only state capital with a population of more than one million residents.
Phoenix is the anchor of the Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, which in turn is part of the Salt River Valley. The metropolitan area is the 11th largest by population in the United States, with approximately 4.73 million people as of 2017[update]. Phoenix is the seat of Maricopa County and the largest city in the state at 517.9 square miles (1,341 km2), more than twice the size of Tucson and one of the largest cities in the United States.
Phoenix was settled in 1867 as an agricultural community near the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers and was incorporated as a city in 1881. It became the capital of Arizona Territory in 1889. It is located in the northeastern reaches of the Sonoran Desert and has a hot desert climate. Despite this, its canal system led to a thriving farming community with the original settler's crops remaining important parts of the Phoenix economy for decades, such as alfalfa, cotton, citrus, and hay. Cotton, cattle, citrus, climate, and copper were known locally as the "Five C's" anchoring Phoenix's economy. These remained the driving forces of the city until after World War II, when high-tech companies began to move into the valley and air conditioning made Phoenix's hot summers more bearable.