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Mesa, AZ


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Mesa, Arizona

Introduction to Mesa, Arizona

Mesa, located in south-central Arizona, is the third-largest city in the state and one of America's new breed of fast growing cities. A suburb of Phoenix, Mesa is the largest suburb in the country, with a population of 400,000 with 37% growth in the 1990s. Initially inhabited by Native Americans and Spanish explorers, the area became US territory after the Mexican American War. Mormon pioneers founded the city in 1878; a large Mormon population (25%) remains there today. During World War II, Mesa was a major Air Force training center at Falcon Field Airport and Williams Air Force Base. After the war, many military families decided to settle in Mesa permanently.

Today, Mesa is a prospering industrial area, with companies like Boeing and AT&T among its leading employers. The area's climate makes it an ideal tourist destination; a strong and growing economy lure top companies and young professionals.

Mesa Culture

In downtown Mesa, the Arts and Cultural District is home to the Mesa Arts Center, the Mesa Southwest Shakespeare Company, the Mesa Southwest Museum and several galleries, dance companies and theaters. The Mesa Amphitheatre is one of metro Phoenix's top places to see popular music's biggest acts. Other cultural attractions in Mesa include the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Mesa Historical Society & Museum.

Mesa Sports and Leisure

With sunshine throughout the year, Mesa is an ideal location for the Chicago Cubs' spring training operations. For season-long minor league baseball, the Mesa Angels are an affiliate of the Anaheim Angels. Just 18 miles away, Phoenix is home to major league baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, the NFL's Phoenix Cardinals, the NBA's Phoenix Suns, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

Mesa Outdoors

The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area is a golfer's paradise, with over 100 courses in the area. Desert Forest Golf Club in nearby Carefree and The Rim, an hour northwest in Payson, are among Golfweek Magazine's Best Courses in America list. For world-class hiking and rafting, the Grand Canyon is 3 hours away.

Mesa at Night

Mesa has an excellent nightlife, with many of the attractions of a larger city, but more of a small town personality. For big city action, Phoenix is just a short ride away.

High Points

Mesa strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Arizona):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 12%Mesa Public Transportation Use
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. Peers)
Top 12%Mesa Affordability of Property Taxes
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. Peers)
Top 16%Mesa Low Rate of Poverty
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 18%Mesa Well-Paid Single Women

Comparative Profile of Mesa, AZ

Comparing Mesa to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Arizona (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Senior Citizens95
Children Under 5 Years Old97
Male Share of the Population86
Well-Paid Single Men58
Age of the Population44
Well-Paid Single Women49
Female Share of the Population35
Racial Diversity27

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Portion of People Married85
Average Household Size85

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People Above Poverty99
People in Middle Class or Better88
Median Family Income78
College Educated Adults48

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work87
Working at Home85
Short Commute Times43
Public Transportation Use29

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing109
Housing Recently Built108
Affordability of Property Taxes94
Affordability of Rents43
People Living Alone36
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals29

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime64
Low Property Crime54

Detailed pages on related topics: Mesa collegesMesa travelMesa mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Mesa CollegesMesa Colleges
Mesa colleges and trade schools.
Mesa Hotels & TravelMesa Hotels & Travel
Mesa hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Mesa MortgageMesa Mortgage
Mesa property, mortgage, and real estate.

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