Maricopa County, Arizona

Maricopa County, Arizona
Maricopa County Courthouse in Phoenix
Flag Seal
Location in the state of Arizona
Arizona's location in the U.S.
Founded	February 14, 1871
Seat	Phoenix
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	9,224.27 sq mi (23,891 km²) 9,203.14 sq mi (23,836 km²) 21.13 sq mi (55 km²), 0.23%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	3,817,117 415/sq mi (160.1/km²)
Website	www.maricopa.gov

Maricopa County ( /ˌmærɨˈkoʊpə/ marr-i-koh-pə) is located in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of April 1, 2010, its population is an estimated 3,817,117, the most populous in the state, which ranks fourth among the nation's counties and is greater than the population of 23 states. Maricopa County is also one of the largest counties in the United States by area having a land area greater than that of seven states. The county seat is Phoenix, which is Arizona's largest city and capital. The center of population of Arizona is located in Maricopa County, in the town of Gilbert. It is by far Arizona's most populous county, encompassing well more than half of the state's residents. It is also the largest county in the United States to contain a capital city.

The population explosion is evident in a 2007 Forbes study which ranked four of Maricopa County's municipalities in the top ten fastest-growing cities in the nation. Those included Buckeye as the second-fastest-growing city, Surprise and Goodyear as 3rd and 4th, and Avondale as 9th. All four of these cities are located in the growing "West Valley", which is the area of Maricopa County to the west of the city of Phoenix.

There are five Indian reservations located in the county. The largest of these are the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (east of Scottsdale) and the Gila River Indian Community (south of Phoenix).

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 9,224.27 square miles (23,890.7 km²), of which 9,203.14 square miles (23,836.0 km²) (or 99.77%) is land and 21.13 square miles (54.7 km²) (or 0.23%) is water.

Major Highways

• Interstate 8
• Interstate 10
• Interstate 17
• U.S. Route 60
• Loop 101
• Loop 202
• Loop 303
• State Route 51
• State Route 71
• State Route 74
• State Route 85
• State Route 87
• State Route 143
• State Route 347

Other roads

• MC-85 (Buckeye Road) Runs from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Buckeye, AZ
• Historic Route 80 runs from Buckeye to Gila Bend
• Salome Highway connects Old US 80 travelers to I-10 and US 60
• Sun Valley Parkway runs from Buckeye to Surprise, Arizona. Buckeye Residents use this highway to avoid 1-10/Loop 303 traffic.

Adjacent counties

• La Paz County, Arizona - west
• Yuma County, Arizona - west
• Pima County, Arizona - south
• Pinal County, Arizona - southeast
• Gila County, Arizona - east
• Yavapai County, Arizona - north

National protected areas

• Sonoran Desert National Monument (part)
• Tonto National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	5,689		—
1890	10,986		93.1%
1900	20,457		86.2%
1910	34,488		68.6%
1920	89,576		159.7%
1930	150,970		68.5%
1940	186,193		23.3%
1950	331,770		78.2%
1960	663,510		100.0%
1970	971,228		46.4%
1980	1,509,175		55.4%
1990	2,122,101		40.6%
2000	3,072,149		44.8%
2010	3,817,117		24.2%
source:

2010

Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:

• 73.0% White
• 5.0% Black
• 2.1% Native American
• 3.5% Asian
• 0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 3.5% Two or more races
• 12.7% Other races
• 29.6% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,072,149 people, 1,132,886 households, and 763,565 families residing in the county. The population density was 334 people per square mile (129/km²). There were 1,250,231 housing units at an average density of 136/sq mi (52/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.35% White, 3.73% African American, 1.85% Native American, 2.16% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 11.86% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. 29.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.10% reported speaking Spanish at home.

There were 1,132,886 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.21.

The population was spread out with 27.00% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,358, and the median income for a family was $51,827. Males had a median income of $36,858 versus $28,703 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,251. About 8.00% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Presidential elections results

Year	Republican	Democratic
2008	54.4% 746,448	43.9% 602,166
2004	57.0% 679,455	42.3% 504,849
2000	53.2% 479,967	42.9% 386,683
1996	47.2% 386,015	44.5% 363,015
1992	41.4% 360,049	32.6% 285,457
1988	64.9% 442,337	33.9% 230,952
1984	72.0% 411,902	27.1% 154,833
1980	65.0% 316,287	34.5% 119,752
1976	61.7% 258,262	35.3% 144,613
1972	69.3% 244,593	27.0% 95,135
1968	59.1% 161,262	31.4% 86,204
1964	53.9% 143,114	46.0% 122,042

Maricopa County has a long history of being a Republican Party stronghold. While the city of Phoenix leans towards the Democratic Party, along with some other small areas within the county, the rest of the county tends to vote heavily Republican. Every Republican presidential candidate has carried Maricopa County since 1948. This includes the 1964 presidential run of native son Barry Goldwater; who would not have even carried his own state had it not been for a 21,000-vote margin in Maricopa County. In 2008, the county was the most populous in the nation to be won by John McCain over Barack Obama.

Despite its political leanings, Maricopa County voted against Proposition 107 in the 2006 election. This referendum, designed to ban gay marriage and restrict domestic partner benefits, was rejected by a slim 51.6%-48.4% margin within the county, and statewide by a similar margin. Two years later, however, a majority of county residents voted to pass the ultimately successful state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

The County Board of Supervisors consists of five members chosen by popular vote within their own districts. Currently, the Board consists of four Republicans, each representing districts in the more affluent or conservative districts of the county, and one Democrat, representing the largest district.^{[citation needed]} Each member serves for a period of four years, and may be continuously reelected. The Board of Supervisors acts in the capacity of executive authority for the county within the statutes and powers prescribed by Arizona state law. In this respect the Legislature of the State of Arizona is, in effect, the legislative body of the county, with limited discretion granted to the Board of Supervisors on minor ordinance and revenue collection issues. Chair of the Board is held by one member for a period of one year, and is selected by the Board members themselves through public hearing. Unlike cities and towns in Arizona, each county is not a chartered government and is considered both politically and legally a sub-division of the state.

The election of the County Sheriff, County Attorney, County Assessor, County Treasurer, Superintendent of Schools, County Recorder, Constables, Justices of the Peace, Clerk of the Superior Court, and retention of Superior Court Judges are also determined by popular vote.

The current sheriff is Joe Arpaio, who has labeled himself "America's Toughest Sheriff" due to his flamboyant and often controversial management of office.

As Maricopa County is home to almost 60 percent of the state's population, it dominates Arizona's politics. Six of the state's eight congressional districts take in significant portions of the county, and most of the state's most prominent elected officials live there.

Transportation

Main article: Metropolitan Phoenix Freeways

The county is served by three interstates (Interstate 8, Interstate 10, and Interstate 17), one U.S. Highway (US 60), and several state highways (SR 51, SR 74, SR 85, SR 87, SR 143, Loop 101, Loop 202, and Loop 303).

Communities

Cities

• Apache Junction (most of Apache Junction is in Pinal County)
• Avondale
• Chandler
• El Mirage
• Glendale
• Goodyear
• Litchfield Park
• Mesa
• Peoria (part of Peoria is in Yavapai County)
• Phoenix
• Scottsdale
• Surprise
• Tempe
• Tolleson

Towns

• Buckeye
• Carefree
• Cave Creek
• Fountain Hills
• Gila Bend
• Gilbert
• Guadalupe
• Paradise Valley
• Queen Creek (part of Queen Creek is in Pinal County)
• Wickenburg (part of Wickenburg is in Yavapai County)
• Youngtown

Census-designated places

• New River
• Rio Verde
• Sun City
• Sun City West
• Sun Lakes

Other communities

• Aguila
• Anthem
• Arlington
• Circle City
• Co-op Village
• Higley
• Komatke
• Laveen
• Liberty
• Mobile
• Morristown
• Palo Verde
• Theba
• Tonopah
• Tortilla Flat
• Waddell
• Wintersburg
• Wittmann

Future developments

Douglas Ranch { planned for 300,000 inhabitants}.

Education

Maricopa County Library District operates the county libraries in Maricopa County.

See also

• Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Maricopa County, Arizona
• USS Maricopa County (LST-938)
• White Tank Mountain Regional Park