Casa Grande, Arizona

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Casa Grande, Arizona
settlement_type = City


imagesize =
image_caption =


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mapsize =
map_caption = Location in Pinal County and the state of Arizona


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Arizona
subdivision_name2 = Pinal
established_title = Founded
established_date = 1879
government_type =
leader_title = City Manager
leader_name = James Thompson
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Bob Jackson
leader_title2 = City Council
leader_name2 = Mary Kortsen,
Stephen Q Miller,
Karl Montoya,
Karl Peterson,
Dick Powell,
Ralph Varela
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 124.8
area_total_sq_mi = 48.2
area_land_km2 = 124.8
area_land_sq_mi = 48.2
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
elevation_ft = 1398
elevation_m = 426
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 38134
population_footnotes = cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-04.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Arizona|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=2008-07-10|accessdate=2008-07-14]
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 263.3
population_density_sq_mi = 681.6
timezone = MST (no DST)
utc_offset = -7
latd = 32 |latm = 53 |lats = 9 |latNS = N
longd = 111 |longm = 44 |longs = 38 |longEW = W
website = http://www.ci.casa-grande.az.us/
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 85222, 85230, 85293
area_code = 520
GNIS_id = 24269
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 04-10530
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
footnotes =

Casa Grande is a rapidly growing city in Pinal County, approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson in the U.S. state of Arizona. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 38,134, making it the largest in Pinal County.cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-04.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arizona|format = CSV | work = 2007 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division] It is named after the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which is actually located in Coolidge.

History

Casa Grande was founded in 1879 during the Arizona mining boom and became Incorporated in 1915. It was named after the Hohokam ruins at the nearby Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

A major railroad terminated in Casa Grande, which was originally named "Terminus".

One of the founding fathers of Casa Grande was Thompson Rodney Peart. Peart Road, Peart Park, and the Peart Center, all of which are notable fixtures of Casa Grande, are named after him.

Little Rock, Arkansas was supposedly the only city in the United States of America that was an adjective but this is proven false as Casa Grande means "big house" in Spanish.

Casa Grande also holds importance for being the birthplace of Joe Jonas, the lead singer in the hit pop band the Jonas Brothers on August 15, 1989.

Casa Grande is home to Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort, former spring training location for the San Francisco Giants. Then owner, Horace Stoneham, began developing the property in 1959. The first exhibition game was played in Casa Grande in 1961, with Willie Hays hitting a convert|375|ft|m|sing=on home run. The San Francisco Giants no longer play at Francisco Grande, but the pool remains in a baseball bat and ball shape in memory of the past ballgames.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.2 square miles (124.8 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 25,224 people, 8,920 households, and 6,547 families residing in the city. The population density was 523.7 people per square mile (202.2/km²). There were 11,041 housing units at an average density of 229.2/sq mi (88.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.90% White, 4.27% Black or African American, 4.91% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 21.09% from other races, and 3.56% from two or more races. 39.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,920 households out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,212, and the median income for a family was $40,827. Males had a median income of $34,858 versus $23,533 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,917. About 12.4% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Lodging

RV Parks

There are a total of 17 RV parks in Casa Grande. The 13 below offer a wireless internet connection. [ [http://www.rvthereyet.cc/cities.php/AZ/CASA%20GRANDE Casa Grande, Arizona RV Parks] ]
*Camp Ground Buena Tierra
*Desert Shadows Western Horizons
*Val Vista Wintervillage
*Sunscape RV Resort
*Sundance 1 RV Resort
*Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort
*Leisure Valley RV Resort & Sales
*Las Colinas Motor Home RV Resort
*High Chaparral RV Park
*Foothills West RV Park
*Fiesta Grande RV Resort
*Casita Verde
*Casa Grande East Mobile Home Park

Economy

The economy of Casa Grande was historically based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. This trend has contributed to growth in the service industry of Casa Grande. Many new businesses such as restaurants, gas stations, and retail outlets are opening throughout the city in order to keep up with demand from the growing population.

An outlet mall operates in southern Casa Grande [http://www.outletsatcasagrande.com/default.asp] that serves many local patrons as well as Interstate highway travelers.

Phase one of The Promenade at Casa Grande opened on November 16, 2007. Built by Westcor and the Pederson Group, it is similar to Desert Ridge Market Place (an outdoor shopping center in Scottsdale, Arizona). The Promenade at Casa Grande is an open-air outdoor mall, built on a convert|100|acre|km2|sing=on patch of desert, and contains nearly a million square feet. An additional $11 million dollars was spent by the city to fund the reconstruction of the Florence Blvd./I-10 freeway overpass.

Business

* [http://www.redtailbooks.com Red-Tail Books your local bookstore]
* [http://www.franciscogrande.com Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort]
* [http://www.roundtripbikeshop.com Round Trip Bike Shop]
* [http://www.churchofchrist-cg-az.com Church of Christ]

Library

The Casa Grande Public Library provides the standard services of access to reading materials, as well as some special services, including a volunteer reading club for elementary school, internet access, and a talking book program. [ [http://www.ci.casa-grande.az.us/web/guest/libraryservices City of Casa Grande - Library Special Services ] ]

Casa Grande City Court

The Casa Grande Municipal Court is the judicial branch of Casa Grande City government and accepted 6,609 filings, conducted 2,486 arraignments and held 156 civil, criminal and jury trials in Fiscal Year 2006-2007. [ [http://www.ci.casa-grande.az.us/web/guest/court City of Casa Grande - City Court ] ]

Teen Center

Located at 540 N. Camino Mercado Casa Grande AZ, at the Palm Center, Florence Blvd and I-10.

Notable People

Joe Jonas

Kelly A Criswell

List of Schools

* Cottonwood Elementary School
* Saguaro Elementary School
* Evergreen Elementary School
* Ironwood Elementary School
* Cholla Elementary School
* Palo Verde Elementary School
* Mesquite Elementary School
* Desert Willow Elementary School
* McCartney Ranch Elementary School
* Casa Grande Middle School
* Cactus Middle School
* Villago Middle School
* Casa Grande Union High School
* Casa Verde High School
* Desert Winds High School
* Vista Grande High School (Opening Fall 2009)
* St Anthony of Padua Catholic School (Private)

References

External links

* [http://www.casagrandeaz.gov City of Casa Grande — Official site]