Moving · Nearby towns
Florence, AZ vs Casa Grande: which Pinal County town fits you
Both towns sit in Pinal County and both date back to Arizona’s territorial days, but day to day they feel very different. Here is how they compare, using the towns’ own pages and Census data.
Reviewed October 19, 2026. Facts come from the Town of Florence, the City of Casa Grande, Pinal County and the U.S. Census Bureau, listed under Sources. Numbers and services change, so confirm anything important for a specific address.
If you are searching for a home in central Pinal County, Florence and Casa Grande usually end up on the same shortlist. One is the county seat with a National Historic District downtown. The other is the larger city at the junction of two interstates. Neither is “better”; they suit different routines. This guide lays out what each town says about itself and what the Census numbers show, then gives you a few ways to test the fit yourself.
The short version
- Casa Grande is the bigger, faster-growing city, with interstate access in two directions and more shopping and jobs inside city limits.
- Florence is a smaller historic town and the seat of county government, with a quieter pace and a large share of homeowners.
- Your commute and who provides water and other services to the exact address will matter more than any town-wide average.
History and character
The Town of Florence says it was founded in 1866 and calls itself the sixth-oldest non-Native American settlement in Arizona. Its historic downtown is a designated National Historic District, and the town runs a Historic District Advisory Commission and a historic design review process for properties in the district. If you are drawn to an older home downtown, ask the town’s Community Development office how design review applies before you plan exterior changes. The town says there is currently no fee for a historic design review application, though building permit fees may apply.
Florence’s calendar leans on that history. The town lists the Home Tour of Historic Florence in February, the Country Thunder music festival in April and the Junior Parada, which it calls the world’s oldest children’s rodeo, on Thanksgiving weekend. Nearby sites include McFarland State Historic Park, housed in the first Pinal County Courthouse, built in 1878, and the Pinal County Historical Society Museum on South Main Street.
Casa Grande’s story starts with the railroad. The city says it was founded in 1879 as a Southern Pacific stop called “Terminus” and renamed Casa Grande in 1880, after the ruins near present-day Coolidge. Today its historic downtown hosts art walks, farmers markets, and music and car shows. If you want to explore it on foot, start with our downtown Casa Grande walking guide.
By the numbers
The Census Bureau’s QuickFacts profiles give a side-by-side view:
| Measure | Florence (town) | Casa Grande (city) |
|---|---|---|
| Population, 2020 Census | 26,785 | 53,658 |
| Population estimate, July 1, 2025 | 25,222 | 69,753 |
| Land area (2020) | 62.62 sq. mi. | 110.87 sq. mi. |
| Residents under 18 | 11.2% | 22.5% |
| Residents 65 and older | 21.8% | 19.9% |
| Owner-occupied housing rate* | 86.8% | 72.8% |
| Median value, owner-occupied homes* | $346,300 | $303,900 |
| Median gross rent* | $1,302 | $1,386 |
| Mean travel time to work* | 30.9 min. | 23.3 min. |
*American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024. These are survey averages over five years, not current prices.
Two things stand out. Casa Grande grew by about 30% from the 2020 base to the 2025 estimate, while Florence’s estimate fell by 7.6% over the same period. And Florence’s town-wide figures need context: the town lists nine correctional institutions among its major employers, alongside Pinal County, the Town of Florence, Florence Unified School District, Safeway, Florence Hospital at Anthem and Horizon Health. Treat Florence’s overall statistics with care and look closely at the specific subdivision you are considering. For current prices on either side, look at recent sales on the street you like, not the Census medians.
Getting around
Casa Grande sits at the junction of Interstate 8 and Interstate 10, according to the city, which makes it a natural base if you drive toward both Phoenix and Tucson or head west on I-8. Florence says it is about 45 minutes from both the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas and is served by State Route 287, State Route 79 and Hunt Highway. The Census commute averages above hint at the difference, but your own route is what counts. Drive it at rush hour, in both directions, before you commit.
Water and town services
Florence describes itself as a full-service municipality that provides police, fire, library, senior center, parks, planning, water and sewer. Its utilities page says Florence’s drinking water comes exclusively from groundwater wells and that the town holds a 100-year Designation of Assured Water Supply from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The town’s water service area extends east of Felix Road; EPCOR serves the area to the west. That split is a good example of why you should confirm the water and sewer provider for the exact address.
In Casa Grande, utilities also depend on where you live, especially near the edge of the city. Our Casa Grande utilities and trash checklist covers what to set up and who to call.
Schools
The Town of Florence says there are three public schools within town boundaries (two K–8 schools and one high school) plus an American Leadership Academy K–6 charter campus, with Central Arizona College’s main campus nearby. Casa Grande has its own elementary and high school districts; our Casa Grande schools guide explains how to check schools by address. In either town, confirm the assigned schools for a specific home with the district.
Who each town tends to suit
- Florence may suit you if you like historic architecture, a smaller-town pace, county-government proximity (handy if you work for Pinal County) or a home base on the east side of the county.
- Casa Grande may suit you if you want more shopping, dining and jobs close by, interstate access in more directions or a larger choice of neighborhoods and new construction.
If you are still deciding, compare a few more options. Our Casa Grande vs Maricopa guide uses the same approach, the Arizona City guide covers an unincorporated alternative, and the neighborhoods guide breaks Casa Grande down area by area.
Frequently asked questions
Is Florence or Casa Grande bigger?
Casa Grande. The 2020 Census counted 53,658 people in Casa Grande and 26,785 in Florence, and the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates are 69,753 for Casa Grande and 25,222 for Florence.
Is Florence, AZ the county seat of Pinal County?
Yes. The Town of Florence describes itself as the county seat of Pinal County, and Pinal County lists its main address at 31 N. Pinal Street in Florence.
Where does Florence get its water?
The Town of Florence says its drinking water comes only from groundwater wells and that it holds a 100-year Designation of Assured Water Supply from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The town serves the area east of Felix Road; EPCOR serves the area to the west, so check which provider serves a specific address.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Florence town and Casa Grande city, Arizona
- Town of Florence: Town History
- Town of Florence: Historic District and Historic District FAQ
- Town of Florence: Utilities Department
- Town of Florence: Area Attractions
- City of Casa Grande: Our City
- Pinal County
Questions about the area? Ask neighbors in the free Living in Casa Grande Facebook group.