Maricopa County, Arizona

Maricopa /ˌmɛ.ɹəˈko.pə/ County is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of July, 2005 its population was 3,635,528, which ranks fourth among the nation's counties. ^[1]. The county seat is Phoenix. The center of population of Arizona is located in Maricopa County, in the town of Gilbert [1]. It is Arizona's most populous county.

There are several Indian reservations located in the county. The largest of these are the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community (East of Scottsdale) and the Gila River Indian Community (South of Phoenix).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 23,891 km² (9,224 mi²). 23,836 km² (9,203 mi²) of it is land and 55 km² (21 mi²) of it (0.23%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

• La Paz County, Arizona - west
• Yuma County, Arizona - west
• Pima County, Arizona - south
• Pinal County, Arizona - southeast
• Gila County, Arizona - east
• Yavapai County, Arizona - north

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 3,072,149 people, 1,132,886 households, and 763,565 families residing in the county. The population density was 129/km² (334/mi²). There were 1,250,231 housing units at an average density of 52/km² (136/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.35% White (66.22% non-Hispanic), 3.73% Black or African American, 1.85% Native American, 2.16% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 11.86% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. 24.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.10% reported speaking Spanish at home [2].

There were 1,132,886 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.21.

The age distribution is 27.00% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,358, and the median income for a family was $51,827. Males had a median income of $36,858 versus $28,703 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,251. About 8.00% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

• Demographic Make Up of Maricopa County (as of 2005)[[3]]

*Non Hispanic (71.0%):

• White(Non-Hispanic): 61.5%
• Black: 4.3%
• Asian: 2.7%
• American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent: 2.2%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.2%
• Persons of Two or more Races: 1.6%

*Hispanic (29.0%):

• As of July 1st, 2005, Maricopa County had 3,635,528; an 18% change from 2000. Males accounted for 50.3% of the population, and females accounted for 49.7%.[[4]].
• As of July 1st, 2005:
• 27.4% of the population was under 18 years of age.
• 61.5% of the population was between 19 and 64 years of age
• 11.1% of the population was over 65 years of age.

Politics

Maricopa County is one of the most conservative urban areas in the country. While the city of Phoenix leans Democratic, the rest of the county tends to vote heavily Republican. Every Republican Presidential candidate has won Maricopa County since 1948.

Despite its Republican lean, Maricopa County voted against Proposition 107 in the 2006 election. This referendum, designed to ban gay marriage and restrict domestic parter benefits, was rejected by a slim 51%-49% margin within the county. Maricopa County made the difference statewide, as Arizona became the first state to reject a gay marriage ban by a 51%-49% margin that year.

The County Board of Supervisors consists of five members chosen by popular vote within their own districts. Currently, the Board consists of four Republicans, each representing districts in the more affluent or conservative districts of the county, and one Democrat, representing the largest district. Each member serves for a period of four years. The Board of Supervisors acts in the capacity of both legislative and executive authority for the county within the statutes and powers prescribed by Arizona state law. Chair of the Board is held by one member for a period of one year, rotating between the members. Due to the political nature of the Board, the duties of Chair are typically not rotated to the minority party member.

The sheriff is also elected by popular vote. The current sheriff is Joe Arpaio, labeled "America's Toughest Sheriff" due to his tough, unique, and often controversial management of his office.

Cities and towns

• Apache Junction (most of Apache Junction is in Pinal County)
• Avondale
• Buckeye
• Carefree
• Cave Creek
• Chandler
• El Mirage
• Fountain Hills
• Gila Bend
• Gilbert
• Glendale
• Goodyear
• Guadalupe
• Laveen
• Litchfield Park
• Luke Air Force Base
• Mesa
• New River
• Paradise Valley
• Peoria (part of Peoria is in Yavapai County)
• Phoenix
• Queen Creek (part of Queen Creek is in Pinal County)
• Rio Verde
• Scottsdale
• Sun City
• Sun City West
• Sun Lakes
• Surprise
• Tempe
• Tolleson
• Wickenburg
• Youngtown

See also

List of Arizona counties

References

1. ^ US county census URL accessed August 14, 2006

Coordinates: 33°30′50″N, 112°28′33″Wda:Maricopa County de:Maricopa County fr:Comté de Maricopa it:Contea di Maricopa lmo:Maricopa County, Arizona no:Maricopa County pl:Hrabstwo Maricopa pt:Condado de Maricopa fi:Maricopan piirikunta sv:Maricopa County zh:馬里科帕縣

Wikipedia information about Maricopa County, Arizona This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Maricopa County, Arizona". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.