Best for job growth

Towns include:  Prescott
Job growth (2000-2007): 34.61%

As the population of Yavapai County continues to swell, so are its residential developments, municipalities and infrastructure. Some of the county's largest employers are local governments and schools, aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin, and retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Ace Hardware, which has a major distribution center in the town of Prescott Valley.

The historic area was once focused on ranching, agriculture and mining. Some areas still hold on to that tradition and preserve the county's natural beauty with numerous parks, but it's also seeing an influx of housing and real estate related businesses as well. --A.C.

NEXT: Fort Bend County, TX