Payson, Arizona

About Payson

Payson, AZ is a close-knit town located in central Arizona, home to 16,762 residents as of the latest Census estimates.

Payson holds the status of an incorporated town — local government on a neighborly scale. The community covers 19.35 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 866 residents per square mile.

📰 Payson News Today

• 2 killed in Payson plane crash identified FOX 10 Phoenix · Aug 11
• 2 killed in small plane crash near Payson AZ Family · Aug 11
• 19-year-old identified as plane crash victim by family 12News · Aug 11
• Officials investigating plane crash Monday west of Payson ABC15 Arizona · Aug 11
• Northwest Christian Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Payson MaxPreps · Aug 17

Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.

What Makes Payson Unique

• Part of the fabric of Arizona — one of 467 recognized communities statewide.

Why People Love It Here

• Big enough for services and schools, small enough to feel like home.
• Local businesses and schools anchored by a stable resident base of 16,762.
• Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 5 miles.

🍽️ Where to Eat in Payson

• Bee Line Cafe
• Miss Fitz 260 Cafe (café)
• Pizza Hut — pizza
• Starbucks — coffee shop (café)
• Backwoods Bar & Grill
• Buffalo Bar and Grill — american
• Chili's — tex-mex
• Crosswinds Restaurant
• Denny's — american
• El Rancho — mexican

Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🎡 Fun Things to Do

• Rim Country Museum · Museum
• Zane Grey House · Museum

Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Payson

• Disc Golf Course reviews ★
• Green Valley Park reviews ★
• Payson Rodeo Grounds reviews ★
• Rumsey Park reviews ★

Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.

🏫 Schools in Payson

• Julia Randall Elementary School
• NAVIT - Gila Community College
• NAVIT - Payson High School
• Payson Center for Success - Online
• Payson Center for Success High School
• Payson Elementary School
• Payson High School
• Rim Country Middle School

Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.

🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare

• Banner Payson Medical Center ★★★★ (4/5 CMS rating) · Critical Access Hospitals

Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.

⚡ Quick Facts

🗺️ Map of Payson

🏘️ Nearby Communities