Phoenix (city, Arizona)

I

Introduction

Phoenix (city, Arizona), capital city of Arizona and seat of Maricopa County, located on the Salt River in the south central part of the state. Phoenix sits on the eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert. A commercial, manufacturing, financial, tourist, and retirement center, Phoenix serves as a distribution point for the agricultural products of the irrigated Salt River Valley. It is the hub of a vast metropolitan region that includes Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Scottsdale, Sun City, and Tempe. Phoenix has become one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing cities. Several factors have contributed to the city’s spectacular growth, including its temperate, dry, sunny climate during much of the year, its recreational opportunities, and its diversified industries.

II

Population

Phoenix’s population grew from 789,704 in 1980 to 1,321,045 in 2000; in the 1990s it was second in total population growth among the country’s large cities, behind only New York City. In 2006, the city’s population was estimated at 1,512,986.

According to the 2000 census, whites constituted 71.1 percent of the city’s population; blacks, 5.1 percent; Native Americans, 2 percent; Asians, 2 percent; and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, 0.1 percent. People of mixed heritage or not reporting race were 19.7 percent. Hispanics, who may be of any race, made up 34.1 percent of the population.

Almost two-thirds of Arizona’s population lives in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The regional population increased from 1,600,000 in 1980 to 4,039,000 in 2006. Three Native American reservations in the area cover a total of more than 1,800 sq km (more than 700 sq mi); these are the Fort McDowell, Salt River, and Gila River reservations, with a total population of almost 19,000.

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III

Economy

Products manufactured in the metropolitan area include semiconductors, aerospace and electronic equipment, processed food, metal products, cosmetics, sporting goods, paper items, and clothing. Government operations, tourism, research and development concerns, and construction are also important to the city’s economy, as is nearby Luke Air Force Base. Information processing, customer service, and warehouse and distribution activities were increasing in the 1990s. Agricultural products include cotton, alfalfa, durum wheat, vegetables, citrus and other fruits, and beef and dairy cattle. The health service industry is a large and growing part of the city’s economy.

Phoenix is served by interstate highways 10 and 17, the Southern Pacific and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads, and Sky Harbor International Airport.

In its early years, Phoenix became popular as a haven for winter visitors from North America’s colder climates. Many people with health problems, particularly respiratory ailments, visited the area for its dry and relatively pollen-free air. In the second half of the 20th century developers created near Phoenix huge planned retirement communities such as Sun City and Leisure World. Today Phoenix is a popular destination for vacationers and conventioneers.

IV

The Urban Landscape

Phoenix is rapidly expanding upon its periphery. In 1997 the city’s area was 1,087.3 sq km (419.8 sq mi). The growth of Phoenix has radiated from the now highly developed original downtown. Several minutes north of downtown is a second site of tall buildings and commercial establishments, as well as Encanto Park. To the north and east lie affluent residential areas, along with high-technology and other light industries. Papago Park, containing the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, is in the east. The west side is generally a lower-income residential area with some light industry. The smaller south side includes predominantly Hispanic and black neighborhoods, as well as older industries and distribution warehouses. South Mountain Park, one of the largest city parks in the nation, covers about 6,900 hectares (about 17,000 acres) on the city’s south side.

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