Buckeye, Arizona
Buckeye, Arizona | |
---|---|
![]() Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona | |
Country | United States |
State | Arizona |
County | Maricopa |
Government | |
• Mayor | Jackie A. Meck |
• Town Council | Brian McAchran Robert Garza Elaine May Ray Strauss Craig Heustis Eric Orsborn |
• Town Manager | Stephen Cleveland |
Area | |
• Total | 375.3 sq mi (1,036 km2) |
Elevation | 869 ft (265 m) |
Population (2010)[1] | |
• Total | 50,876 |
Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
ZIP codes | 85326, 85396 |
Area code(s) | 623, 928 |
FIPS code | 04-07940 |
Website | http://www.buckeyeaz.gov/ |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1980 | 3,434 | — | |
1990 | 4,436 | 29.2% | |
2000 | 6,537 | 47.4% | |
2010 | 50,876 | 678.3% | |
[2] |
Buckeye is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States and is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The population of the town as of Census 2010 was 50,876, a 678% increase from the 2000 population of 6,537.[3]
Geography
Downtown Buckeye is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) west of Phoenix, Arizona and 350 miles (560 km) east of Los Angeles, California.
According to the Town of Buckeye Development Services Department, the Municipal Planning Area (MPA) is 591 square miles (1,530 km2). Approximately 400 square miles (1,000 km2) has been annexed into the town limits.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2010, there were 50,876 people residing in the town. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,158 households, and 1,624 families residing in the town. The population density was 44.8 people per square mile (17.3/km²). There were 2,344 housing units at an average density of 16.1 per square mile (6.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 72.54% White, 3.37% Black or African American, 1.71% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 19.34% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 36.65% of the population.
There were 2,158 households out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.47.
In the town the population was spread out with 33.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,383, and the median income for a family was $39,194. Males had a median income of $32,357 versus $24,901 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,627. About 16.2% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Neighborhoods
The original Buckeye was built around downtown's main street, Monroe Avenue. There are currently nearly 30 master planned communities planned for Buckeye. Such master planned communities under development in which homes are occupied include Sundance, Verrado, Westpark, Tartesso and Festival Ranch.
Other unbuilt planned communities within Buckeye include Douglas Ranch (planned for nearly 300,000 inhabitants), Sun Valley Villages, Spurlock Ranch, Trillium, Elianto, Westwind, Silver Rock, Sienna Hills, Henry Park, Southwest Ranch and Montierre.
Sundance Towne Center, a shopping center developed by Vestar Development in the Sundance community, opened in 2007.
Recreation
A popular recreation destination in Buckeye is the Buckeye Hills Recreation Area. It is located 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Buckeye on State Route 85 (at mile marker 144). A 900-acre (3.6 km2) Buckeye Lake is planned.
Education
The Town of Buckeye is served by the following school districts:
- Buckeye Elementary District,
- Agua Fria Union High School District
- Liberty Elementary District
- Buckeye Union High School District
- Wickenburg Unified School District
Estrella Mountain Community College is currently renovating the original historic Buckeye High School building on Eason Avenue near 9th Street, also known as the "A" Wing, and anticipates holding classes in this new satellite facility in the Fall of 2011. To be named the Buckeye Educational Center, this facility will provide academic courses, job training programs and community education classes.
Transportation
Major roadways serving the town include Interstate 10, State Route 85, Maricopa County Route 85 and the Sun Valley Parkway. Buckeye is served by Valley Metro via a rural bus line connecting Phoenix-Goodyear-Gila Bend-Ajo. Union Pacific operates a rail line running east-west generally through the center of town. The town's local aviation needs are served by Buckeye Municipal Airport (ICAO identifier KBXK), which is owned and operated by the town government.
Local media
Buckeye is served by all major Phoenix media in radio, television and print. There are several more localized newspapers including the Buckeye Sun, West Valley View, Arizona Republic's Southwest Valley edition and the Buckeye Valley News.
National media coverage
In 2008, Buckeye was featured on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer as part of a weeklong series entitled "Blueprint America." [4]
Notable residents
- Upton Sinclair (author, 1878–1968)