Sun City, Arizona

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Sun City, Arizona
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Sun City in Maricopa County, Arizona.


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Arizona
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Maricopa
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 37.8
area_land_km2 = 37.6
area_water_km2 = 0.2
area_total_sq_mi = 14.6
area_land_sq_mi = 14.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 38309
population_density_km2 = 1019.1
population_density_sq_mi = 2639.5

timezone = Mountain (MST)
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 348
elevation_ft = 1142
latd = 33 |latm = 36 |lats = 51 |latNS = N
longd = 112 |longm = 16 |longs = 55 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 85300-85399
area_code = 623
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 04-70320
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0011953
website =
footnotes =

Sun City is a census-designated place and unincorporated town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The population was 38,309 at the 2000 census. Its adjoining sister city is Sun City West both of which are retirement communities often for snowbirds.

Geography

Sun City is located at coor dms|33|35|31|N|112|16|19|W|city (33.597439, -112.272052)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²), of which, 14.5 square miles (37.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.62%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 38,309 people, 23,490 households, and 12,520 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,639.5 people per square mile (1,019.4/km²). There were 27,731 housing units at an average density of 1,910.7/sq mi (737.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.44% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 23,490 households out of which 0.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.7% were non-families. 44.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 39.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.60 and the average family size was 2.07.

In the CDP the population was concentrated in the post-retirement years, with 0.4% under the age of 18, 0.3% from 18 to 24, 2.0% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 79.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 75 years. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,508, and the median income for a family was $40,464. Males had a median income of $35,459 versus $26,453 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,935. About 2.5% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

History

Sun City started construction in the 1960s as a Del Webb community. Del Webb is a group that constructs retirement communities in the Sun Belt. Sun City has a planned street network, but disrupts the secondary street layout of Phoenix. Little has changed for the community in the last 40 years. However, as more retired to the area, Del Webb began construction on Sun City West in the late-1970s, Sun City Grand in the late-1990s, and Sun City Anthem in 1999 and Sun City Festival in July of 2006.

The community is well known to law students, as it is featured in the case Spur Industries v. Del E. Webb Development Co., 494 P.2d 700 (Ariz. 1972), commonly used in first year property law courses to illustrate nuisance law.

Government

Municipal services are provided by a variety of public and private organizations. Police and street maintenance services are paid for by the taxpayers of the entire county. Fire service is provided by a local assessment district ( [http://www.suncityfire.com Sun City Fire District] ). Water and sewer utilities are provided by a private utility, the American Water Company. Sanitation service is also by a private hauler, Parks and Sons. Parks and recreation services are controlled by private organizations that sell their services by subscription.

Although independent audits have shown that the community would receive more efficient delivery of services at an ultimately lower cost by incorporation, the issue is adamantly opposed by many outspoken critics.Who|date=November 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.northwestvalley.com/index.php Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.delewebbcenter.org/ Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts]