Tucson Newcomers Guide

TUCSON AT A GLANCE

TUCSON

is located in the heart of Southern Arizona—an area known as the Sonoran Desert—about 100 miles south of the state capital, Phoenix, and 60 miles north of the Mexican border.

When Tucson was founded in 1775, its population was slightly more than 3,000. By 1920, the population had grown to 20,292. Today, roughly one million people call Tucson home.

The city sits at 2,389 feet above sea level, and the metropolitan area covers nearly 500 square miles. For a great view of the city, drive up Tucson's Sentinel Peak, designated "A" Mountain in 1916 by University of Arizona students. From the top you can see the five mountain ranges surrounding the valley:

SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS—prominent, rugged range to the north and northeast

RINCON MOUNTAINS—rolling mountains to the east

SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS—the range flanking the distant south and southeast

TUCSON MOUNTAINS—shorter, more jagged mountains to the west

TORTOLITA MOUNTAINS—those closing the ring on the northwest side

DEMOGRAPHICS & ECONOMICS

According to Census Bureau statistics, the median annual income of Tucson families is $44,446, and the average household size is 2.49. The median age in 2006 was 36 and increases each year due to the influx of baby boomers. In 2006, Arizona was named the fastest-growing state in the country.

AZ AREA CODES

The southeastern portion of the state—including Tucson, plus Pima, Pinal, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties—uses area code 520. The Greater Phoenix area has three area codes: 480, 602, and 623. Most of northern, eastern, and western Arizona—including Flagstaff, Prescott, and Yuma—uses the area code 928.

STATE FACTS

STATE BIRD: Cactus wren
STATE FLOWER: Saguaro cactus blossom
STATE GEM: Turquoise
STATE TREE: Palo verde

BUSINESS

Many locally owned and operated businesses call Tucson home. Chambers of commerce provide assistance to new and long-established business owners.

• Marana Chamber of Commerce: 682-4314, www.maranachamber.com
• Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce: 297-2191, www.the-chamber.com
• Tucson Chamber of Commerce: 792-1212, www.tucsonchamber.org
• Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: 620-0005, www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org
• Tucson Southern Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce: 623-0099, www.tsabcc.org

TIME ZONE

The state of Arizona is located in the Mountain Standard Time Zone (MST). Arizona is one of only two US states that do not make an adjustment for Daylight Saving Time, and spring through fall, Arizona time mirrors Pacific Daylight Time.

EDUCATION

Pima County is home to 18 public school districts, The University of Arizona—a top research university—and Pima Community College—the eighth largest community college system in the country. Of Tucson's population ages 25 and older, 83% are high school graduates and 26% are college graduates, according to census statistics.

TOP 10 EMPLOYERS IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA

1. Raytheon Missile Systems
2. The University of Arizona
3. State of Arizona
4. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
5. Tucson Unified School District
6. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
7. US Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca
8. Pima County
9. Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold
10. City of Tucson

Special thanks to the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities for assistance with this section. Visit their websites for more information at www.visittucson.org and www.treoaz.org.