MESA, ARIZONA

'Mesa' is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona and part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Metropolitan 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. The 2006 US Census estimated the city's population to be 447,541. 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 It has a larger population than better-known United States cities (minus their suburban areas) such as Cleveland, St. Louis, Oakland, Miami, and Pittsburgh. Mesa is the most populous suburban city in the United States, and second most populous suburban city in North America, after Mississauga, Ontario. When Mesa reaches build-out the city is expected to have a population of about 630,000.^[1]
Despite its large population, Mesa is decidedly a bedroom community. Neighborhoods consist of an array of diverse housing, including several mobile home parks. As with many American cities, some areas are inflicted with urban blight. In contrast, expensive custom homes are found in parts of northeast Mesa.
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.

Contents

Geography

History

Timeline

Demographics

Cultural attractions

Amenities

Transportation

Education

Sister cities

References

External links

Geography

Mesa's elevation is approximately 1,241 feet (378 m) and is located at (33.414889, -111.831496). 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 324.2 km² (125.2 mi²). 323.7 km² (125.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.16%) is water.

History

The first settlers in Mesa were probably the Hohokam, who constructed canal systems to make living on the arid land possible. Their probable ancestors, possibly including the Tohono O'odham, remain in the area. Much later, Spanish missionaries and soldiers traveled through the area. Several groups of Latter Day Saints pioneers settled nearby. Eventually, residents from other areas of the Phoenix valley moved into Mesa and the population grew on its own.
[2]
[3]

Timeline

★ 'Circa 1 AD'. The Hohokams 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.

★ '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[2]'
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
2005	442,780
2006	447,541

As of the census 2005 estimate, there were 442,445 people, 146,643 households, and 99,863 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,224.4/km² (3,171.3/mi²). There were 175,701 housing units at an average density of 542.8/km² (1,405.7/mi²).
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

★ HoHoKam Park Cactus League spring training home of the Chicago Cubs and former summer home to the now defunct Mesa Miners professional baseball team of the Golden Baseball League.

★ Mesa Arts Center

★ Mesa Amphitheatre

★ Mesa Arizona Temple, a large LDS temple, where an elaborate Easter Pageant is held every spring.

★ Museums

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★ Arizona Museum for Youth

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★ Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aircraft Museum - B-17 Sentimental Journey

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★ Mesa Historical Society and Museum

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★ Mesa Southwest Museum

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★ Sirrine House

★ Public Libraries

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★ Main Library (MN)

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★ Dobson Ranch Branch (DR)

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★ Red Mountain Branch (RM)
Part of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was filmed in Mesa at the Golfland/Sunsplash waterpark on U.S. 60.
Mesa is the home of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team during Spring Training.

Amenities

'Superstition Springs Center' is a shopping mall located in Mesa, Arizona, featuring an outdoor amphitheatre and a fountain that converts a stage featuring free concerts on Saturday evenings from May to August. In February 2002, the mall underwent remodeling to include exterior paint, interior paint, flooring, and lighting to create a new refined atmosophere with color, texture and regional imagery. It is owned by Westcor. The anchors at the mall are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, Mervyn's and Sears. The mall also features a multi-screen cinema and several smaller stores.
'Fiesta Mall' is also a shopping mall located in Mesa and owned by Westcor. The anchors at the mall are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's,and Sears. Nearby are a multi-screen theater, several shopping centers, banks, restaurants, and retail outlets.
'Mesa Riverview' is a new outdoor center in the northwestern corner of the city at Loop 202 and Dobson Road, consisting of 1.3 million square feet of retail. The anchors are Bass Pro Shops, Cinemark Theatre, Wal Mart, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, Petco, Office Max, Sports Authority, Jo Ann Superstore, and numerous restaurants and specialty stores.

Transportation

Mesa is served by U.S. Route 60, locally known as the Superstition Freeway, running between Apache Junction and Phoenix. It is served as well by AZ 87 and bypass loops Arizona Loop 101, which skirts the western city limits as the Price Freeway, and Arizona 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 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. Williams Gateway Airport is located in the far southeastern area of the city, and provides alternate but limited air service to Sky Harbor International Airport. Williams Gateway was formerly Williams Air Force Base, 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.

Sister cities

Mesa, Arizona has five sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

★ Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada ★ Caraz, Peru ★ Guaymas, Mexico ★ Kaiping, China ★ Upper Hutt, New Zealand

References

1. "[1].'Build-out' Retrieved on July 24 2007.
2. 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.

External links

★ Mesa city government.

★ Mesa Arizona Convention and Visitors Bureau - Tourism

★ City of Mesa Library on the Web.

★ Williams Gateway Airport.

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