Maricopa is a city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States, thirty miles south of Phoenix in the Gila River Valley. As of 2008[update], its population is estimated to be 45,571,[2] an increase of 44,531 over the 2000 census figure of 1,040. This makes it the largest city in the county and Arizona's seventeenth-largest city. Maricopa's annexation plans during the next decade are likely to result in major growth in both population and area .[3]
History
Maricopa Wells ~ An Oasis in the Desert Maricopa has had three locations over the years: Maricopa Wells, Maricopaville and Maricopa Junction which gradually became known as Maricopa. Each stage of its life has contributed greatly to the growth and development of the Southwest. Its conception took place at a series of watering holes eight miles north of present day Maricopa, and about a mile west of Pima Butte. It was called Maricopa Wells. Several of Arizona’s rivers, the Gila, Santa Cruz, Vekol and Santa Rosa provided this oasis in the desert with an ample supply of water during this period of time.
Famous Stagecoach Relay Station and Trading Center in 1800s Maricopa Wells was one of the most important relay stations along the famous Butterfield Overland Mail Routeduring the 1800s. Although little remains of this once bustling community, it played an important part in the progress and development of the southwest. It was one of the best known spots in Arizona during this period of time because it not only had a reliable source of water, but offered an abundance of food thanks to the peaceful Pima and Maricopa farmers who lived and farmed nearby.
The most prosperous period of time for Maricopa Wells was in the 1870s. During this time the Wells provided water and food for not only the east-west travelers, but those who traveled to the north. Fairly good roads had been built by James A. Moore, the proprietor at Maricopa Wells, to all points north and the Wells was a constant hubbub of activity. With its ample supply of water and prosperous trading center, it truly was a shining beacon and sanctuary in the desert for those thousands of travelers who depended upon its resources for their survival.
Maricopaville: Boom Town ~ 1879 Maricopa’s second moment of fame took place eight miles south of Maricopa Wells and about three miles west of present day Maricopa. It was called Maricopaville. In 1879, the Southern Pacific Railroad was in the process of building a railroad line from Yuma to Tucson, and a second railroad line was to be built from Maricopaville, wrapping around the western edge of South Mountain into Phoenix. It didn’t take long for this little desert settlement of Maricopaville to take on the appearance of one of the gold rush boom towns of California with men working day and night building hotels, saloons, warehouses, restaurants, theaters, etc. One newspaper of the times reckoned that with its thousands of people and good location, it would be an ideal choice for the location of the state capitol.
Maricopa: Famous Railroad Junction ~ 1887 However, a railroad line was never built from Maricopaville into Phoenix. Tempe wanted to be on the railroad line and was very vociferous about its demands and rights. The powers at the state capitol agreed and Maricopaville lost its moment of glory as a rising Arizona star. It was moved three miles to the east to its present location of Maricopa in the early 1880s, and began its life as a famous railroad junction when the first M&P train left Maricopa for Phoenix on July 4, 1887. Once again, all east-west travelers had to stop at Maricopa, and those who wanted to travel to the north had to board the Maricopa & Phoenix Railroad which took them into Kyrene, Tempe and Phoenix. [4]
City of Maricopa: Incorporation and Population Growth ~ 2003
The city was officially incorporated on October 15, 2003, becoming the 88th incorporated city in Arizona. The city's first special census was completed Saturday, March 13, 2004, and showed a population of 4,998.
Media Coverage
Maricopa was the subject of a major article in the New York Times on April 6, 2008, and the town was featured on ABC's Nightline on May 7, 2008, during its "Realty Check" segment.[5] The story dealt with the drastic effect of the subprime mortgage crisis and housing market correction on the city. In the story, Maricopa was referred to as the "poster child of the housing crisis."
Geography
Maricopa is located at 33°3′24″N 112°2′48″W / 33.05667°N 112.04667°W / 33.05667; -112.04667 (33.056702, -112.046656)[6].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.5 km²), all of it land.
The topography in Maricopa is flat with several mountain ranges 10 to 20 miles away. The elevation of Maricopa is 1190 feet.
Demographics
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 1,040 people, 292 households, and 226 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 257.6 people per square mile (99.4/km²). There were 329 housing units at an average density of 81.5/sq mi (31.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 46.35% White, 3.08% Black or African American, 6.63% Native American, 40.00% from other races, and 3.94% from two or more races. 70.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 292 households out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 13.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.56 and the average family size was 3.85.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 34.3% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 122.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $32,222. Males had a median income of $26,339 versus $16,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,175. About 19.1% of families and 23.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Highways to Maricopa include State Route 238 and State Route 347. Maricopa lies approximately 15 miles west of Interstate 10 and 15 miles north of Interstate 8. MaricopaXPress, operated by the city and Pinal County, offers two roundtrips to Phoenix geared towards commuters.[8]
California Zephyr railcar at the Maricopa, AZ
Amtrak station
Maricopa is currently the nearest stop to Phoenix on Amtrak's Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle trains. The Maricopa depot opened in 2001, originally in a converted passenger rail car but now in a metal building.
Notes
External links
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