Real Estate Directory - Arizona

Population: 4,217,940
Capital city/population: Phoenix (1,388,416)
Largest cities/population:

  • Phoenix - 1,388,416
  • Tucson - 507,658
  • Mesa - 432,376
  • Glendale - 232,838

(all figures www.citypopulation.de)

Arizona is the sixth largest state, with a land area of 113,642 square miles. It achieved statehood on February 12th, 1912, becoming the 48th state. Residents enjoy a wide variety of climates, ranging from daytime temperatures of over 100ºF in the southwest, to winter temperatures sinking to below freezing at higher elevations in the east-central portions of the state. Overall, the state receives little rain due to the Pacific Coast Mountains that block the ocean’s moisture. Average annual precipitation ranges from three to 18 inches.

HOUSING

(figures from www.homesalenews.com unless otherwise noted)

Tucson- The average resale housing price has increased 37% in 2005, ending at $242,300. This is the second highest increase in the western metropolitan area. The majority of the new jobs in 2005 involved the construction industry, which comprises about 6 – 7 percent of jobs. This popular winter resort area has become a great place to live for many snowbirds.

Mesa – Average home prices at the end of July were in the mid-$250,000 range. Homes in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale areas topped the list of the fastest appreciating metropolitan areas in 2005. (www.azcentral.com)

Phoenix – Average home prices at the end of July topped the $200,000 mark. Housing prices here climbed 34.4% in 2005, leading the state’s market.

Glendale – Although the resale home market in this area has slowed for the past year, Glendale was one of two cities where the market grew stronger. Compared with October, 2004, single-family home sales rose from 645 to 690. Townhouses/condominium sales also increased 8% over the same time period. The median home price rose from $158,700 to $242,000.

ECONOMY

The state’s principal industries are manufacturing, construction, tourism, mining, and agriculture. Chief crops include cotton, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, barley, wheat, and citrus fruits. Per capita personal income for 1995 was $20,421, with unemployment at 5.1%. Tourism remains a strong industry, earning the state $10.5 billion in 1994.

SCHOOLS

Arizona has three state universities – the University of Arizona – Tucson, Arizona State University – Tempe, and Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff. The state also has more than a dozen two-year colleges. Outside Phoenix, the center founded by Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West, teaches student experimentation with new architectural ideas. Near Glendale is the American Graduate School of International Management, granting degrees in highly specialized courses of study. In the public school sector, 1994 student-teacher ratio was 19:3, with an average 1995 teachers’ salary of $32,484. (The Complete Reference Collection)

HISTORY

As a result of the Mexican War in 1848, the United States gained New Mexico and the portion of Arizona north of the Gila River. Five years later, the remaining southern portion was purchased from Mexico via the Gadsden Purchase.

RELIGION

(wikipedia.com)
Religious affiliations in Arizona:

  • Christian – 80%
    • Protestant – 42%
      • Baptist – 9%
      • Methodist – 5%
      • Lutheran – 4%
      • Other Protestant/general Protestant – 24%
    • Roman Catholic – 31%
    • Mormon – 6%
    • Other Christian – 1%
  • Other Religions – 2%
  • Non-Religious – 18%

DEMOGRAPHICS

(wikipedia.com)
As of 2004, Arizona had a population of 5,743,834 according Census Bureau estimates.
The racial breakdown of the state is as follows:

  • White non-Hispanic - 63.8%
  • Hispanic - 25.3%
  • Native American - 5%
  • Black - 3.1%
  • Asian - 1.8%
  • Mixed race - 2.9%