TUCSON, ARIZONA

Tucson is a flourishing cosmopolitan city tucked into the southeastern corner of Arizona. With a population of around 800,000 (expected to reach 1 million around 2010) Tucson sits in a desert valley cradled by the Santa Catalina Mountains (9,100 ft) on the north, the Rincon Mountains to the east, the Tucson mountains to the west, and the Santa Rita and Sierrita Mountains to the south. The surrounding mountains, with areas of national forest and national park, ensure there is ample to do in addition to the city's numerous cultural activities.

History

The name "Tucson" derives from the Indian word "Chuk-son," meaning village of the dark spring at the foot of the mountains. The city was initially established in 1775 by Spanish soldiers as the Presidio of San Augustin de Tucson. It briefly became part of Mexico when Mexico won its independence from Spain, but was later purchased by the United States as part of the Gadsden Purchase. In 1912 Arizona was the 48th territory to become a state.

Demographics and Weather

The largest portion of Tucson's population is of Anglo descent, with the second largest group claiming Hispanic origins. The median age is 32.5 years. The city sits at an elevation of 2500-3500 ft. Average January temperatures range from 38 to 64 degrees F while July temperatures average from 74 to 98 degrees F. The low relative humidity (average annual rainfall, 12 inches) provides cool evenings even at the hottest time of year.

$$$ (Cost of Living, Taxes, Employment)

The cost of living in Tucson is just slightly below the national average. The State of Arizona imposes a 5% retail sales tax, and Tucson imposes an additional 2% sales tax. Non-restaurant foods and prescription drugs are exempt from both taxes. The state income tax for a family of four with a single income of $30,000 would be about $900. Typical real estate taxes on a $150,000 home would be about $2100. The unemployment rate was a little over 2.5% for 1998. The University of Arizona remains the largest single employer with 10,500 employees. Manufacturing employment has more than doubled in the last ten years.

Education and Medical Facilities

The metropolitan Tucson area is served by eight school districts with a total student population of over 110,000 pupils. The school system includes six special education schools. There are 130 parochial and private schools within the area. Established in 1885, the University of Arizona (enrollment around 35,000) is in the top ten of all U.S. public universities in research funding and is a leader in studies of optical astronomy, scientific instrumentation and electronics. The University of Arizona Medical Center complements Tucson's extensive health care system with a heart transplant center and comprehensive cancer center.

Recreation

In town: Tucson is home to the state's only full-time professional opera and theater companies, as well as a symphony, ballet company, professional theater, light opera, museums of art and natural history, and two major zoos. There are 28 city parks, an equal number of golf courses, and ample tennis courts, libraries and shopping malls. For those who like exploring outside the city, opportunities abound for hiking, mountain biking, climbing, camping and scenic driving in the Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Forest, and Saguaro National Park.

Check out these web sites for more information....

Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

The University of Arizona

Tucson Unified School District

Tucson Police Department

Tucson Museum of Art

Center for Creative Photography

Tucson's Great Outdoors

Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Citizen

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.