Maricopa County, Arizona

Encyclopedia : M : MA : MAR : 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 . The county seat is Phoenix. The county's population recently put it fourth in the country's largest counties, though it is likely to surpass Harris County, Texas (Houston) for third place by 2006^[link].

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).

Contents

1 Geography

1.1 Adjacent Counties

2 Demographics
3 Politics
4 Cities and towns
5 See also

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

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.

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.

Politics

**Presidential elections results**
Year	Republican	Democratic
2004	57.0% 679,455	42.3% 504,849
2000	53.2% 479,967	42.9% 386,683
1996	47.2% 386,015	44.5% 363,015
1992	41.4% 360,049	32.6% 285,457
1988	64.9% 442,337	33.9% 230,952
1984	72.0% 411,902	27.1% 154,833
1980	65.0% 316,287	34.5% 119,752
1976	61.7% 258,262	35.3% 144,613
1972	69.3% 244,593	27.0% 95,135
1968	59.1% 161,262	31.4% 86,204
1964	53.9% 143,114	46.0% 122,042
1960	59.4% 127,090	40.6% 86,834

Maricopa County has traditionally been a bastion of conservative politics, and consistently votes for members of the Republican Party. Republicans even received the most votes in the presidential elections of 1992 and 1964.

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
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