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Introduction to Surprise, Arizona
Surprise, Arizona is 6 miles NW of Peoria, Arizona and 19 miles NW of Phoenix, Arizona. It is in Maricopa county. The city is part of the Phoenix - Mesa metropolitan area. The population of Surprise is 30,848.
Surprise History
Real estate developer and state legislator Homer C. Ludden founded the city of Surprise in 1938. The community was named after his hometown of Surprise, Nebraska. Initially, there were only a few houses and a gas station in the area. However, Surprise experienced dramatic growth over the following years and was officially incorporated as a city in 1960. Sun City Grand, an age-restricted resort-like community, was built in the city by the Del Webb property development firm. In the 1990s and early 2000s, many retirees moved to the city to live in this community.
Surprise and nearby Attractions
Things To Do In Surprise
The Bead Museum showcases many exhibits about the global history of beads, some of which are over 30,000 years old. The West Valley Art Museum also provides valuable information about the local history and culture of the area. While in Surprise, one can also pay a visit to the Bard Ranch, Calderwood Station, Waddell Substation and the Surprise Town Hall. The Centennial Friendship Park and Surprise Park provide a host of recreational facilities for both residents and visitors.
Surprise Transportation
Luke AFB Airport provides facilities for air transportation.
Surprise Higher Education
Opportunities for higher education are provided by Phoenix College, Paradise Valley Community College, Gateway Community College and Glendale Community College.
Comparing Surprise to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Arizona (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizens | |  |
| Age of the Population | | |
| Male Share of the Population |  |  |
| Children Under 5 Years Old | | |
| Racial Diversity |  |  |
| Female Share of the Population |  | |
| Well-Paid Single Men |  | |
| Well-Paid Single Women | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Average Household Size | |  |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| People Above Poverty | | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| College Educated Adults | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Working at Home | | |
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| People Living Alone | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Violent Crime | | |
| Low Property Crime | | |
 | Surprise Hotels & Travel Surprise hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Surprise Mortgage Surprise property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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