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0
people died from heat in Maricopa County in 2024.
Source: Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health, 2024 Heat-Related Deaths Report (May 2025)
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10-Year Trend
A Decade of Escalation.

Heat-related deaths in Maricopa County have increased nearly tenfold since 2014. While 2024 saw the first year-over-year decrease since tracking began, the total remains catastrophically high.

61
'14
84
'15
154
'16
179
'17
182
'18
199
'19
323
'20
339
'21
425
'22
645
'23
608
'24
The Deadliest Stretch
June 18 to July 31, 2024.

For 44 consecutive days, at least one person died from heat every single day in Maricopa County. 14 excessive heat warnings. 14 temperature records broken.

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Lives Lost
June 2024
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July 2024
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Each highlighted day = at least one heat-related death recorded in Maricopa County

Key Findings
Who Is Dying.
0
died outdoors. On sidewalks, in parking lots, at bus stops, in urban areas.
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were people experiencing homelessness. The largest proportion of any living situation.
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were male. Men accounted for more than 3 out of 4 heat-related deaths.
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were age 50 or older. Older adults face disproportionate heat vulnerability.
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of residents had lived in Arizona for 20+ years. Long-term residents, not newcomers.
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of deaths involved substance use. 89% of those involved stimulants.
Geography
Where It Happens.

The city of Phoenix alone accounted for 337 of the 608 heat-related deaths in 2024. Mesa (55), unincorporated Maricopa County (51), Tempe (27), and Glendale (25) followed. Two-thirds of outdoor deaths occurred in urban areas, not the desert.

76% of all heat deaths were among Maricopa County residents. For indoor deaths, 88% had an AC unit present, but in 70% of those cases the unit was not functioning.

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deaths in the City of Phoenix alone
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of outdoor deaths in urban areas, not desert
Indoor Deaths
Heat Kills Indoors Too.

138 people died from heat inside a building in 2024. 25% of indoor deaths occurred in RV/trailers or mobile homes, despite these making up only 5% of county housing. 68% were discovered during welfare checks.

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indoor heat deaths in 2024
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had an AC unit. 70% of those were not functioning.
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discovered during welfare checks
Demographics
Race, Age, and Risk.

Nearly 60% of heat deaths occurred among non-Hispanic White persons. However, adjusted for population, American Indian/Alaska Native residents (31.6 per 100,000) and Black/African American residents (28.4 per 100,000) face dramatically higher death rates compared to the county average of 10.3 per 100,000.

Race/Ethnicity

56% White
22% Hispanic
15% Black
7%

Remaining 7%: American Indian/Alaska Native (6%), Asian/Pacific Islander (1%)

Age Distribution

12%
28%
27%
18%
14%

0-19 (1%), 20-34 (12%), 35-49 (28%), 50-64 (27%), 65-74 (18%), 75+ (14%)

Health Factors
Vulnerability Compounds.

Certain health conditions dramatically increase heat vulnerability. Cardiovascular disease was the leading comorbidity. At least 1 in 4 had a documented history of mental illness.

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had cardiovascular disease as a comorbidity
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had a documented history of mental illness
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were heat-caused (directly killed by environmental heat)
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had a documented history of schizophrenia
What We Do About It

Every One of These Deaths
Was Preventable.

Hydrate PHX puts free water in the places where people are dying. Outdoors, at events, at cooling centers, at bus stops. Sponsor-funded, zero cost, no questions asked.

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All data on this page is sourced from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, 2024 Heat-Related Deaths Report (published May 2025). Hydrate PHX presents this data to raise awareness and does not claim credit for the research conducted by MCDPH.