Sun City (Arizona)
| Sun City | |
|---|---|
 Location in County and Arizona
|
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| Basic data | |
| Foundation : | 1960 |
| State : | United States |
| State : | Arizona |
| County : | Maricopa County |
| Coordinates : | 33 ° 37 ′ N , 112 ° 17 ′ W |
| Time zone : | Mountain Standard Time ( UTC − 7 ) |
| Residents : | 37,499 (as of 2010) |
| Population density : | 997.3 inhabitants per km 2 |
| Area : | 37.8 km 2 (approx. 15 mi 2 ) of which 37.6 km 2 (approx. 15 mi 2 ) are land |
| Height : | 348 m |
| Postcodes : | 85300-85399 |
| Area code : | +1 623 |
| FIPS : | 04-70320 |
| GNIS ID : | 0011953 |
| Website : | www.suncityaz.org |
Sun City is a census-designated place in Maricopa County in the US state of Arizona , United States . The place was founded in 1960 as a project of the Del E. Webb Corporation and is a so-called retirement town, which is predominantly inhabited by older US citizens from the northern states. The age limit was set at 55 years. The climate in the Valley of the Sun , in which the city was settled, is pleasantly warm and there are an average of 312 sunny days per year. US Highway 60 and Arizona State Route 101 run through Sun City .
geography
Sun City is located in the metropolitan area of Phoenix , the capital of Arizona, and was built on an area of 38 km² on the flat ground of the Sonoran Desert . The city is located approximately 13 km northwest of Phoenix. Neighboring towns clockwise are Peoria , Glendale , Litchfield Park , Youngtown , El Mirage, and Sun City West .
history
On January 1, 1960, interested citizens were able to view six model houses, built by the Del Webb Development Company , near Phoenix. Thousands of cars clogged Grand Avenue and many visitors bought a home in the first few hours. Over 100,000 prospective buyers visited the model houses this weekend and signed 237 sales contracts with a total value of 2.5 million dollars. The Sun City project turned out to be a resounding success and by the end of 1960 the construction company had sold all of the 400 homes planned in the first year and another 900 homes. Del Webb's idea of building a large-scale housing estate for seniors here was inspired by the small town of Youngtown, south of Sun City, built in 1954 . The city already got churches, supermarkets, sports facilities and hospitals in the early stages. Opened in 1970, Boswell Memorial Hospital is one of the most respected hospitals in Arizona. In 2010, Sun City celebrated its 50th birthday and is currently welcoming the third generation of its residents.
City life
Sun City has no formal administration, but that role is handled by Del Webb Corporation and several other private companies. Police and other government services are performed by the state of Arizona or County Maricopa. Typical of the city is the circular structure, which is interrupted by green spaces, golf courses, parks, ponds and watercourses. The houses mostly consist of one-story bungalows and are built on flat desert ground. There are hardly any stairs or steps and all the curbs are flattened - the entire city is almost barrier-free . Shopping centers and shops for daily needs are available everywhere and can be reached on foot via short distances. So-called recreation centers , which contribute to the leisure activities and fitness of the residents, are typical for Sun City . What is remarkable is the voluntary involvement of many Sun City residents in various areas of life, such as administration, healthcare, local schools and churches. In addition to the official police, there is a voluntary guard service organized by citizens . All houses are equipped with modern security technology and Sun City has the lowest crime rate in the entire state of Arizona.
Population development
In 1978 Sun City reached its maximum size of 47,000 residents and was reaching its limits. Settlements of the same type emerged in the immediate vicinity, such as Sun City West (from 1979) and Sun City Grand (from 1998). Since then, the population fell slightly in Sun City and the census of 2010 showed 37,499 inhabitants.
| year | Residents |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 41,605 |
| 1990 | 38.126 |
| 2000 | 38,309 |
| 2010 | 37,499 |
1980–2010: census results
literature
- Rainer Joedecke (also photos): Sun City: The last address. In: Geo-Magazin. Hamburg 1979,6, pp. 132-156. Informative experience report: "In the Arizona desert, 47,000 people live in a city for their old age ..... And yet: Many of the old people of Sun City are only apparently happy." ISSN 0342-8311
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Rand McNally: Travel Atlas USA-Canada , Chicago 1999, ISBN 3-8283-0327-7
- ↑ a b History of Sun City , accessed August 9, 2014
- ↑ Emigration to Sun City , accessed August 9, 2014
- ↑ 1980-2010
- ^ US census , accessed August 8, 2014