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Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital, largest city, and largest metropolitan area of the state of Arizona, United States. As of the 2000 census, Phoenix ranked:

the sixth largest city of the United States, with a population of 1,321,045, and
the fourteenth largest metropolitan area of the United States, with a population of 3,251,876.
the largest capital city in the United States (including Washington D.C.).

Phoenix is surrounded by twenty two towns and cities that have grown so closely together that it is almost impossible to distinguish one from another in this satellite image. The large cluster of light brown pixels gridded by horizontal and vertical lines (roads and highways) demarcates the Greater Phoenix urban area.
Larger version

Phoenix is the county seat of Maricopa County. It was incorporated on February 5, 1881.

Geography

Phoenix lies at an elevation of approximately 1,117 feet in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and is located in the center of Arizona in the Phoenix Valley or "Valley of the Sun" at 33°31'42" North, 112°4'35" West (33.528370, -112.076300)¹. The Greater Phoenix area has a population of 3.2 million and includes Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria and many smaller communities such as Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and Anthem. Retirement communities include Sun City, Sun City West and Fountain Hills. The Salt River runs from the northeast of Maricopa County through the south of Phoenix although it is not unusual to see the river completely dried up. The Phoenix metro is surrounded by the McDowell Mountains to the north, South Mountain Park to the south and the Superstition Mountains far to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,230.5 km² (475.1 mi²). 1,229.9 km² (474.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.05% water.

Weather

Clear blue skies are typical, with an average of 300 sunny days a year. One-third of the year from mid-May to mid-September reaches highs near 100°F (38°C) or hotter. The arid Arizona air makes the hot temperatures more tolerable. It should also be noted that in most other warm climes in the USA humidity drops dramatically if temperatures begin to reach towards 100°F, so that 100° in Phoenix is not much different than 100° in Dallas, Kansas City or Atlanta.

Winter lows can reach the low 30s F (around 0°C), but temperatures rarely stay at that value for long. Measureable snow has been recorded only twice: 1/2 inch in 1939 and 1 inch in 1985. The average annual rainfall in the area is 7.7 inches. Rain is scarce and occurs primarily in the monsoon season from July to mid-September as humid air surges in from the Gulf of California.

Demographics

Phoenix skyline in 2001
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At the census of 2000, there were 1,321,045 people, 465,834 households, and 307,450 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,074.1/km² (2,781.9/mi²). There were 495,832 housing units at an average density of 403.2/km² (1,044.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.07% White, 5.10% African American, 2.02% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 16.40% from other races, and 3.28% from two or more races. 34.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any country origin.

There were 465,834 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the city the population age distribution was 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,207, and the median income for a family was $46,467. Males had a median income of $32,820 versus $27,466 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,833. 15.8% of the population and 11.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 21.0% were under the age of 18 and 10.3% were 65 or older.

Sports Teams, Venues and Tournaments

Arizona Diamondbacks, Major League Baseball

Nine Major League Baseball teams conduct spring training in Greater Phoenix; these teams, plus three that train in Tucson, are collectively known as the Cactus League.

Arizona Cardinals, National Football League

Phoenix Suns, National Basketball Association

Phoenix Mercury, Women's National Basketball Association

Phoenix Coyotes, National Hockey League (plays in Glendale)

Arizona Rattlers, Arena Football League

Arizona Thunder, indoor soccer

Arizona Sting, National Lacrosse League

Phoenix International Raceway, Indy Racing League and NASCAR

Manzanita Speedway, drag racing

Firebird International Raceway, boat racing

Phoenix Open, PGA TOUR

Standard Register Turquoise Classic, LPGA