Mesa is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona. It is the second largest city in the metropolitan area of Phoenix and the third largest city in Arizona, after Tucson.

Mesa is one of the nation's fastest-growing cities. A July 1, 2002, Census estimate put the suburb's population at 426,840. It is the largest suburb in the United States and second largest in North America after Mississauga, Ontario. Mesa is larger than St. Louis, Missouri; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

The city was founded in January 1878. Modern Mesa was founded by Mormon pioneers and its population is still roughly one-fourth Mormon.

Geography

Mesa's elevation is approximately 1,241 feet and is located at 33°24'40" North, 111°44'47" West (33.411199, -111.746438). The city spreads over a mesa or plateau that stands about one hundred feet higher than Phoenix. Thus, the name given to it by its Mormon settlers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 324.2 km² (125.2 mi²). 323.7 km² (125.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.16% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 396,375 people, 146,643 households, and 99,863 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,224.4/km² (3,171.3/mi²). There are 175,701 housing units at an average density of 542.8/km² (1,405.7/mi²).

The racial makeup of the city is 81.65% White, 2.52% Black or African American, 1.66% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 9.66% from other races, and 2.79% from two or more races. 19.75% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 146,643 households out of which 33.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% are non-families. 24.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.68 and the average family size is 3.20.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $42,817, and the median income for a family is $49,232. Males have a median income of $35,960 versus $27,005 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,601. 8.9% of the population and 6.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Museums, Attractions and other Places of Interest

• Museums
  
  • Arizona Museum for Youth
  • Commemorative Air Force Museum
  • Mesa Historical Society and Museum
  • Mesa Southwest Museum
  • Sirrine House
• Library
• Hohokam Stadium Cactus League spring training home of the Chicago Cubs
• Mesa Amphitheatre

Military

Williams Air Force Base closed in 1993 and is now Williams Gateway Airport.

Mesa is also home to Falcon Field. Originally opened at the beginning of WWII for the training of British RAF pilots, it was turned over to the City of Mesa at the end of the war.

Other Information

In the Pima language, Mesa is known as Mo:mli. Alternative/pop-punk band Jimmy Eat World is from Mesa.

See also

List of cities in Arizona, List of cities in Arizona (by population), List of Arizona counties

External links

• Mesa city government.
• Williams Gateway Airport.