Arizona Economic Report Will Link Canopy Data to Value
The 2026 DATOS report will track how tree coverage and environmental quality affect the local economic landscape.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is set to release its 2026 DATOS report, which will incorporate environmental quality as a key metric for the first time in its three-decade history. This annual study, which highlights an estimated $4 trillion in Latino purchasing power, aims to show how community resources impact local prosperity.
Why it matters
The chamber is shifting its focus to environmental quality to demonstrate how physical community assets relate to the health and economic stability of neighborhoods. This analysis seeks to use collective purchasing power to advocate for more equitable development throughout the region.
The report highlights that North Phoenix and the Biltmore area currently enjoy 15% tree canopy coverage, compared to just 5% to 6% in South and West Phoenix. The initiative supports the effort to eventually reach a 15% canopy goal across the entire Valley.
The players
Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
An organization that promotes business growth and produces economic research to track the financial impact of the Hispanic community.
Trees Matter
A nonprofit that manages urban tree canopy expansion through local neighborhood planting programs.
The details
The report underscores the legacy of historical redlining in creating persistent disparities in how urban trees are distributed across the city. By framing environmental quality as a central pillar of a healthy community, the chamber intends to drive local policy discussions. Trees Matter is simultaneously working to address these gaps through active neighborhood planting programs designed to increase coverage in historically underserved areas.
Timeline
The DATOS report has been published for three decades.
The 2026 edition of the DATOS report is scheduled for release.
Money Landscape
This analysis connects modern economic outcomes to the lasting financial effects of historical redlining policies on neighborhood infrastructure. It represents a shift toward incorporating environmental equity into long-term community prosperity metrics.
Residents should monitor how potential improvements to urban canopy cover in their neighborhoods could influence long-term property values and utility costs. Consult with a real estate or tax professional to understand how local infrastructure investments may affect your specific household assets.
The takeaway
The upcoming report highlights that economic growth is increasingly tied to the physical health and quality of the neighborhoods where households live. As the Valley works toward its 15% canopy goal, homeowners should track local tree planting initiatives that may impact future cooling costs and property appeal.
Further reading
To learn more about how local metrics track the region's financial health, visit the Economic Indicators section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
Live Poll
Should your local government prioritize increasing tree canopy coverage to combat extreme heat?
