Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, largest city, and largest metropolitan area of the state of Arizona, United States. As of the 2000 census, Phoenix ranked:- the sixth largest city of the United States, with a population of 1,321,045, and
- the fourteenth largest metropolitan area of the United States, with a population of 3,251,876.
Phoenix is surrounded by twenty two towns and cities that have grown so closely together that it is almost impossible to distinguish one from another in this satellite image. The large cluster of light brown pixels gridded by horizontal and vertical lines (roads and highways) demarcates the Greater Phoenix urban area.
Larger version
Phoenix is the county seat of Maricopa County. It was incorporated on February 5, 1881.
Geography
Phoenix lies at an elevation around 1,117 feet in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and is located in the center of Arizona in the Phoenix Valley or "Valley of the Sun" at 33°31'42" North, 112°4'35" West (33.528370, -112.076300)1. The Greater Phoenix area has a population of 3.2 million and includes Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria and many smaller communities such as Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and Anthem. Retirement communities include Sun City, Sun City West and Fountain Hills. The Salt River runs from the northeast of Maricopa County through the south of Phoenix although it is not unusual to see the river completely dried up. The Phoenix metro is surrounded by the McDowell Mountains to the north, South Mountain Park to the south and the Superstition Mountains far to the east.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,230.5 km² (475.1 mi²). 1,229.9 km² (474.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.05% water.
Weather
Clear blue skies are the typical order of the day with an average of 300 sunny days a year. One-third of the year from mid-May to mid-September reaches highs near 100°F (38°C) or hotter. The arid Arizona air makes the hot temperatures more tolerable ("it's a dry heat"), but it can still be very tiresome after four months of such hot weather outdoors. It should also be noted that in most other warm climes in the country humidity drops dramatically if temperatures begin to reach towards 100°F, so that 100° in Phoenix isn't much different than 100° in Dallas, Kansas City or Atlanta.
Winter lows can reach in the low 30s (around 0°C), but temperatures rarely stay there long. Measureable snow has been recorded only twice: 1/2 inch in 1939 and 1 inch in 1985. The average annual rainfall in the area is 7.66 inches. The rain is not only scarce, but sporadic and occurs primarily in the monsoon season from July to mid-September as humid air surges in from the Gulf of California to the hot air in the heart of the state.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 1,321,045 people, 465,834 households, and 307,450 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,074.1/km² (2,781.9/mi²). There are 495,832 housing units at an average density of 403.2/km² (1,044.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 71.07% White, 5.10% African American, 2.02% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 16.40% from other races, and 3.28% from two or more races. 34.06% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any country origin.
There are 465,834 households out of which 35.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% are married couples living together, 12.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% are non-families. 25.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.79 and the average family size is 3.39.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 102.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $41,207, and the median income for a family is $46,467. Males have a median income of $32,820 versus $27,466 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,833. 15.8% of the population and 11.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 21.0% are under the age of 18 and 10.3% are 65 or older.
Sports Teams, Venues and Tournaments
Museums, Attractions and other Places of Interest
Transportation
Scottsdale Municipal Airport in nearby Scottsdale, attracts a large number of private jets that carry industry executives, sports teams and entertainers.
Military
List of famous Phoenix residents
Phoenix in film
See also
Zen Lunatics
