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Mesa is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona and is a suburb of Phoenix, within the Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the third-largest city in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson.
Mesa is one of the United States' fastest-growing cities, and currently ranks as the 38th-largest. 2006 Census Bureau estimates put the city's population at 447,541.[1]
The city has a larger population than better-known United States cities such as Cleveland, Miami, Minneapolis, Saint Louis, or Saint Paul. Mesa is the most populous suburban city in the United States; in North America, only suburban Mississauga, Ontario is larger. When Mesa reaches build-out the city is expected to have a population exceeding 630,000.[2]
Although it has a large population, Mesa is a "bedroom community." Neighborhoods across the city are diverse — some areas have experienced urban blight, while others contain elaborate custom homes.
Mesa was founded in January 1878 by Mormon (Latter-day Saint or LDS) pioneers and its population is still roughly one-tenth Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates one of its oldest temples in Mesa (the Mesa Arizona Temple), and the city is a hub for Latter-day Saints residing in the Phoenix Metro area.
Geography
Mesa's elevation is approximately 1,241 feet (378 m) and is located at 33°24′54″N, 111°49′53″W (33.414889, -111.831496)[3]. The city spreads over a mesa or plateau that stands about one hundred feet higher than Phoenix. Thus, the name given to it by its Mormon settlers.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 125.2 square miles (324.2 km²), of which, 125.0 square miles (323.7 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (0.16%) is water.
History
The first settlers in Mesa were probably the Hohokam Indians, who made life on the arid landscape of the region possible by developing an extensive canal system. Their probable descendnts, possibly including the Akimel O'odham, remained in the area. Much later, Spanish missionaries and soldiers traveled through the area. Then, several groups of Mormon, or Latter Day Saints, pioneers settled in the area. Over time, residents from other areas of the Valley of the Sun also moved into Mesa, increasing its population further.
Timeline
- Circa 1 AD. The Hohokam arrived in the area. They built an extensive canal system.
- 1358. A large flood occurred, perhaps damaging the canal system.
- 1865. At a ferry west of present-day Val Vista Road, an establishment called Maryville was created. The ferry was used by soldiers.
- 1877. After Maryville was abandoned, a group of LDS pioneers arrived in March 1877 and settled in an area called Lehi (in the northwest part of present-day Mesa). The pioneers were led by Daniel Webster Jones, who had been asked by LDS officials to direct a party of people in establishing a settlement in Arizona. This settlement was initially known as Jonesville and Fort Utah and did not receive the name of Lehi until 1883, when it was adopted on the suggestion of Brigham Young, Jr..[10]
- 1878. An 85-member LDS pioneer contingent called "The First Mesa Company" arrived from Utah and Idaho. Their leaders were named Crismon, Pomeroy, Robson, and Sirrine. They decided not to stay with Daniel Webster Jones' group in Lehi and moved southward and began to clear out the Hohokam canals.
Demographics
City of Mesa
Population by year[11] |
| 1900 |
722 |
| 1910 |
1,692 |
| 1920 |
3,036 |
| 1930 |
3,711 |
| 1940 |
7,224 |
| 1950 |
16,790 |
| 1960 |
33,772 |
| 1970 |
63,049 |
| 1980 |
152,404 |
| 1990 |
288,104 |
| 2000 |
396,375 |
| 2006 |
447,541 |
As of the census[4] 2001 estimate, there were 442,445 people, 146,643 households, and 99,863 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,171.3 people per square mile (1,224.4/km²). There were 175,701 housing units at an average density of 1,405.7/sq mi (542.8/km²).
The racial make-up of the city was 81.6% White, 2.4% Black or African American, 2.2% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 9.3% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 24.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 146,643 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.20.
The population was diversified with respect to age with 27.3% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,817, and the median income for a family was $49,232. Males had a median income of $35,960 versus $27,005 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,601. About 6.2% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over. Mesa's residents exhibit a great deal of economic diversity, with low-income areas constructed somewhat close to high-scale neighborhoods with expensive custom homes. The neighborhood "Marlborough Mesa", along with many other neighborhoods, have won a community award.
Cultural attractions
Amenities
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The Superstition Springs Center is a shopping mall in East Mesa owned by Westcor. It features an outdoor amphitheatre and fountain which convert to a stage. Anchor stores at the mall are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, Mervyn's, and Sears.
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Main article: Fiesta Mall
An older mall, Fiesta Mall, is located in west Mesa, and also owned by Westcor. The mall's anchors are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's,and Sears. It is located near several shopping centers, Mesa's Bank of America[13], and other retail stores, banks, and restaurants. An expansion of Fiesta Mall has been planned.[citation needed]
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Main article: Mesa Riverview
Mesa Riverview is a new outdoor destination retail center in the northwestern corner of the city, near Loop 202 and Dobson Road. At build-out the center will include of 1,300,000 square feet (121,000 m²) of retail space.[citation needed] The anchors include Bass Pro Shops, Cinemark Theatres, Wal-Mart, and Home Depot. Mesa Riverview also includes restaurants and specialty stores.
Transportation
Several area freeways serve the Mesa area, such as U.S. Route 60, locally known as the Superstition Freeway, which runs between Apache Junction and Phoenix. It is also served by AZ 87 and bypass loops Loop 101, which skirts the western city limits as the Price Freeway, and Loop 202, which bypasses the city on the north and east. Public transportation is provided by Valley Metro with buses running Monday through Saturday only; Mesa is the largest U.S. city with no public transit service on Sundays. Mesa will eventually be connected in the Valley Metro Rail light rail project in 2008.
Air service in the city is provided by two airports. Falcon Field, located in the northeastern part of the city, was established as a training field for British RAF pilots during World War II and was transferred to the city at the end of the war. Boeing builds the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter at a facility adjoining Falcon Field. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is located in the far southeastern area of the city, and provides alternate but limited air service to Sky Harbor International Airport. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway was formerly Williams Gateway Airport, and before that, Williams Air Force Base, which closed in 1993. Williams Gateway was announced as a new Focus City for Allegiant Air. Service starts October 25th.
Education
Almost all of the city of Mesa is served by public schools operated by Mesa Public Schools; however, a small southern portion is served by the Gilbert Public Schools, and a small western portion is served by the Tempe Elementary School District and the Tempe Union High School District.
Mesa is also home to Mesa Community College, the largest of the Maricopa Community Colleges, which enrolls over 22,000 full and part time students. In addition, the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University lies in southeast Mesa. This satellite campus enrolls over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students in scientific and engineering fields.
Trivia
Sister cities
Mesa, Arizona has five sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):
References
- ^ a b Table 1: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places Over 100,000, Ranked by July 1, 2006 Population: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division (2007-06-28). Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
- ^ "[1].'Build-out' Retrieved on July 24 2007.
- ^ a b US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b NGA GEOnet Names Server. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (2008-01-30). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ GR Error
- ^ Jenson, Andrew. Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1941) p. 426
- ^ Gibson, Campbell. "Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990." United States Census Bureau. June, 1998. Retrieved on October 7 2006.
- ^ GR Error
- ^ [2]
External links
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