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Renting an Apartment in Mesa
What You Should Know
Mesa is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona and part of the
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Metropolitan Area. It is the third-largest city in
Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson.
Mesa is one of the United States' fastest-growing cities, and currently ranks as
the 41st-largest. In 2005 The City of Mesa website estimated the city's
population at 451,860. Though a suburban city, Mesa actually has a larger
population than better-known cities such as St. Louis, Missouri and Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. Despite its large population, Mesa has a decidedly
bedroom-community, sprawl-like character. Its downtown is minimal, and there are
very few buildings in Mesa with more than two stories. Nevertheless, the
recently completed Mesa Arts Center may help invigorate downtown Mesa. The city
is also home to many gated retirement communities, which may explain the large
percentage of senior citizens in the population.
Mesa was founded in January 1878 by Mormon (LDS) pioneers and its population is
still roughly one-quarter Mormon. Since the city's population is well over twice
that of Salt Lake City (which is now only about 45 percent LDS), Mesa has a
greater Mormon population than any other single city in the world. The LDS
Church operates one of its oldest temples in Mesa (the Mesa Arizona Temple), and
the city is a hub of sorts for Latter-day Saints residing in the Phoenix Metro
area.
Mesa's residents exhibit jarring economic diversity, with low-income areas and
mobile-home parks somewhat close to high-scale neighborhoods with extravagant
custom homes.
Geography
Mesa's elevation is approximately 1,241 feet (378 m) and is located at
33�24′40″N, 111�44′47″W (33.411199, -111.746438)GR1. 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
km� (125.2 mi�). 323.7 km� (125.0 mi�) of it is land and 0.6 km� (0.2 mi�) of it
(0.16%) is water.
History
Daniel Webster JonesCirca 1 AD. The Hohokams arrived in the area. They built
an extensive canal system.
1358. A large flood occurred, perhaps damaging the canal system.
1865. At a ferry west of present-day Val Vista Road, an establishment called
Maryville was created. The ferry was used by soldiers.
1877. After Maryville was abandoned, a group of LDS pioneers arrived in March
1877 and settled in an area called Lehi (in the northwest part of present-day
Mesa). The pioneers were led by Daniel Webster Jones, who had been asked by LDS
officials to direct a party of people in establishing a settlement in
Arizona.[4]
1878. An 85-member LDS pioneer contingent called "The First Mesa Company"
arrived from Utah and Idaho. Their leaders were named Crismon, Pomeroy, Robson,
and Sirrine. They decided not to stay with Daniel Webster Jones' group in Lehi
and moved southward and began to clear out the Hohokam canals. [5]
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 2004 estimate, there were 447,845 people, 146,643
households, and 99,863 families residing in the city. The population density was
1,224.4/km� (3,171.3/mi�). There were 175,701 housing units at an average
density of 542.8/km� (1,405.7/mi�).
The racial makeup of the city was 79.30% White, 3.30% Black or African American,
1.80% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 12.00% from other
races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 20.00% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino of any race.
There were 146,643 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of
18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a
female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 24.2%
of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone
who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the
average family size was 3.20.
In the city the population was 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 were 65
years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there
were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,817, and the median income
for a family was $49,232. Males had a median income of $35,960 versus $27,005
for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,601. About 6.2% of
families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7%
of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Cultural attractions
LDS Mesa Arizona TempleHoHoKam Park Cactus League spring training home of
the Chicago Cubs and former summer home to the now defunct Mesa Miners
professional baseball team of the Golden Baseball League.
Mesa Arts Center
Mesa Amphitheatre
Mesa Arizona Temple, a large LDS temple, where an elaborate Easter pageant is
held every spring.
Museums
Arizona Museum for Youth
Commemorative Air Force Museum
Mesa Historical Society and Museum
Mesa Southwest Museum
Sirrine House
Library
Main Library (MN)
Dobson Ranch Branch (DR)
Red Mountain Branch (RM)
Schools
Almost all of the city of Mesa is served by public schools operated by Mesa
Public Schools.
A small southern portion is served by the Gilbert Public Schools.
A small western portion is served by the Tempe Elementary School District and
the Tempe Union High School District.
Military
Williams Air Force Base closed in 1993 and is now Williams Gateway Airport
and ASU Polytechnic.
Mesa is also home to Falcon Field airport and aircraft museum. 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.