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Phoenix, Ariz.
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Mayor: Phil Gordon (to 2011)
2000 census population (rank): 1,321,045
(6); % change: 34.3; Male: 671,760 (50.9%);
Female: 649,285 (49.1%); White: 938,853 (71.1%);
Black: 67,416 (5.1%); American Indian and Alaska
Native: 26,696 (2.0%); Asian: 26,449 (2.0%); Other
race: 216,589 (16.4%); Two or more races: 43,276 (3.3%);
Hispanic/Latino: 449,972 (34.1%). 2000 percent population
18 and over: 71.1%; 65 and over: 8.1%; Median age:
30.7.
2005 population estimate (rank): 1,461,575
(6)
See
additional census data
Land area: 475 sq mi. (1,230 sq km);
Alt.: Highest, 2,740 ft.; lowest, 1,017
ft.
Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 53.6° F; July,
93.5° F
City-owned parks: 200+ (25,235 ac.);
Radio stations: AM, 20; FM, 20;
Television stations: 9 commercial; 1
PBS
Civilian Labor Force (MSA) April 2006:
1,986,3001;
Unemployed: 71,1001,
Percent: 3.61;
Per capita personal income (MSA)
2004 $31,1331
Chamber of Commerce: Phoenix Chamber of
Commerce, 201 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ 85073
1. Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale,
Ariz.
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Phoenix, the capital of Arizona and seat of
Maricopa County, is the largest city in the state. It is located in the
center of Arizona, on the Salt River.
The prehistoric Hohokam Indians first
settled the area about 300 B.C. and dug a
system of extensive irrigation canals for farming. The Indian culture
mysteriously broke up in the 1400s.
The site was permanently resettled by Jack Swilling and “Lord Darrell”
Duppa about 1867. Because the city was founded on the ruins of the ancient
civilization, it was named Phoenix after the legendary
bird that could regenerate itself. The irrigation canals were restored for
farming, and ranching and prospecting began in the surrounding area. The
city quickly grew as an important trading center. Phoenix was incorporated
as a city in 1881 and was made the territorial capital in 1889. It became
the state capital when Arizona was admitted to the Union in 1912.
Partly owing to its warm, dry climate, the city developed rapidly in
the decades after World War II. Between 1950 and 1990 the population
increased from 100,000 to 980,000. And Phoenix continues to be one of the
fastest-growing cities in the U.S.; between 1990 and 2000, its population
increased another 34%, to 1.3 million.
Phoenix is a commercial and manufacturing center in an agricultural
region. Major industries include government, agricultural products,
aerospace technology, electronics, air-conditioning, leather goods, and
Indian arts and crafts. Mining, timbering, and tourism also contribute to
the economy.
See also Encyclopedia: Phoenix .
Selected famous
natives and residents:
-
Lynda Carter
actress;
-
Joan Ganz Cooney
TV executive;
-
Alice Cooper
musician;
-
Arthur A. Fletcher
government official;
-
Barry Goldwater
politician;
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Stevie Nicks
musician;
-
Charles S. Robb
politician;
-
Mare Winningham
actress.
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education,
Inc. All rights reserved.
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