25 Cities Where Drought Conditions Are Causing Water Stress
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07211213/Current-drought-conditions-as-of-July-28-2025-150x150.pngNationwide, 17.4% of the country is in severe to exceptional drought, the 24th largest share of the last 52 weeks. While just 0.6% of the country is in exceptional drought – the most severe category of drought intensity – there are several major cities completely engulfed by drought conditions. In these drought-stricken metros, nonabsorbent soil and dry vegetation are also increasing fire risk and raising NWS red flags, while lack of rain is stressing out water systems.
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To determine the cities with the worst drought conditions right now, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Cities were ranked based on the percentage of land area in extreme to exceptional drought as of July 28 2025. Data was aggregated in QGIS using spatial boundaries from the U.S. Census Bureau. Only cities with at least 50,000 residents were considered.
25. Scottsdale, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 45.5%
- Annual water withdrawals: 220.8% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 103.6°F
- Value of all homes: $65.5 billion
- Total population: 240,537
24. Glendale, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 52.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 395.1% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 107.6°F
- Value of all homes: $16.6 billion
- Total population: 248,083
23. Phoenix, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 57.9%
- Annual water withdrawals: 306.4% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 106.7°F
- Value of all homes: $140.9 billion
- Total population: 1.6 million
22. Palm Desert, CA
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 67.4%
- Annual water withdrawals: N/A
- Temperature maximum this week: 107.0°F
- Value of all homes: $9.0 billion
- Total population: 51,290
21. San Antonio, TX
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 78.2%
- Annual water withdrawals: 79.4% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 98.9°F
- Value of all homes: $67.1 billion
- Total population: 1.4 million
20. Buckeye, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 81.2%
- Annual water withdrawals: 184.5% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 107.1°F
- Value of all homes: $8.7 billion
- Total population: 95,042
19. Goodyear, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 99.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 186.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 108.4°F
- Value of all homes: $10.9 billion
- Total population: 97,542
18. El Paso, TX
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 126.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 93.4°F
- Value of all homes: $27.4 billion
- Total population: 677,181
17. San Jacinto, CA
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 530.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 98.3°F
- Value of all homes: $3.8 billion
- Total population: 54,077
16. Hemet, CA
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 530.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 97.5°F
- Value of all homes: $5.0 billion
- Total population: 89,651
15. Maricopa, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 107.6°F
- Value of all homes: $5.1 billion
- Total population: 59,605
14. Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 8.0% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 108.0°F
- Value of all homes: $8.3 billion
- Total population: 57,294
13. Casa Grande, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 104.3°F
- Value of all homes: $3.2 billion
- Total population: 55,186
12. Avondale, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 273.6% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 107.0°F
- Value of all homes: $5.3 billion
- Total population: 89,214
11. Missoula, MT
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 27.6% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 93.7°F
- Value of all homes: $6.6 billion
- Total population: 74,627
10. Las Cruces, NM
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 124.7% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 93.4°F
- Value of all homes: $5.4 billion
- Total population: 111,273
9. Yuma, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 101.8% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 108.8°F
- Value of all homes: $4.9 billion
- Total population: 96,314
8. Rio Rancho, NM
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 59.9% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 93.1°F
- Value of all homes: $9.0 billion
- Total population: 104,351
7. Albuquerque, NM
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 59.9% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 94.0°F
- Value of all homes: $41.1 billion
- Total population: 562,551
6. San Tan Valley, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 106.5°F
- Value of all homes: $9.4 billion
- Total population: 101,207
5. Queen Creek, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 107.8°F
- Value of all homes: $8.8 billion
- Total population: 61,788
4. Chandler, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 108.1°F
- Value of all homes: $31.8 billion
- Total population: 275,618
3. Gilbert, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 684.3% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 108.0°F
- Value of all homes: $34.2 billion
- Total population: 267,267
2. Tempe, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 365.8% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 108.0°F
- Value of all homes: $12.8 billion
- Total population: 181,005
1. Mesa, AZ
- Land area in extreme to exceptional drought: 100.0%
- Annual water withdrawals: 587.2% of renewable supply
- Temperature maximum this week: 108.0°F
- Value of all homes: $44.1 billion
- Total population: 503,390