Tempe, Arizona
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| Tempe, Arizona | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tempe |
| Settlement type | City |
| Pushpin label | Tempe |
| Coordinates | 33, 25, 19, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Arizona |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Maricopa |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1879 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1894 |
| Government type | Council–manager government |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Corey Woods |
| Leader title1 | City Council |
| Leader name1 | See Tempe City Council |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total sq mi | 40.18 |
| Area total km2 | 104.07 |
| Area land sq mi | 39.98 |
| Area land km2 | 103.55 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.20 |
| Area water km2 | 0.52 |
| Elevation ft | 1496 |
| Elevation m | 456 |
| Population total | 180587 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density sq mi | 4516.9 |
| Population density km2 | 1744.0 |
| Timezone | MST (no DST) |
| Utc offset | -7 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 85280–85285, 85287 |
| Area code | 480, 602 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 04-73000 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 2412042 |
| Website | https://www.tempe.gov/ |
Tempe, Arizona. A dynamic city in the heart of the Salt River Valley within Maricopa County, it is best known as the home of the main campus of Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities in the United States by enrollment. The city's identity is shaped by its vibrant college-town atmosphere, innovative economy centered on technology and aviation, and its transformation of the Salt River bed into the recreational hub of Tempe Town Lake. Strategically located adjacent to Phoenix and Scottsdale, it serves as a major employment and cultural center within the Phoenix metropolitan area.
History
The area's earliest inhabitants were the Hohokam people, who constructed extensive canal systems for agriculture. Modern settlement began in 1879 when Charles Trumbull Hayden established a ferry service and flour mill along the Salt River, forming the nucleus of the community initially called Hayden's Ferry. The town was renamed in 1880 by an English settler, "Lord" Darrell Duppa, who thought the Salt River Valley resembled the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Incorporated in 1894, its early economy was based on agriculture, facilitated by the Arizona and California Railroad. The founding of the Tempe Normal School in 1885, which later evolved into Arizona State University, set the stage for the city's future. Significant 20th-century developments included the opening of Williams Air Force Base nearby and the construction of the Loop 202 and Interstate 10 freeways, integrating it into the regional fabric. A landmark late-20th century project was the 1999 creation of Tempe Town Lake.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.2 square miles, nearly all of it land. It is situated in the Salt River Valley of the Sonoran Desert, with prominent natural landmarks including the granite Hayden Butte (commonly called "A Mountain") and Papago Park, which it shares with Phoenix. The Salt River historically flowed through the city but was often dry; it was dammed to form the 2-mile-long Tempe Town Lake, a central geographic and recreational feature. The city is bordered by Phoenix to the west and north, Scottsdale to the east, Chandler to the south, and Guadalupe to the southwest.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 180,587. The city has a young median age, heavily influenced by the student population of Arizona State University. Racial and ethnic composition is diverse, with significant Hispanic or Latino and White non-Hispanic populations, alongside growing Asian and Black communities. Population density is high compared to many Phoenix metropolitan area suburbs. The presence of Arizona State University attracts a large transient student population and a highly educated workforce, with a significant portion of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Economy
Tempe has a diversified economy with strong sectors in technology, aviation, education, and healthcare. It is a major employment hub, hosting the corporate headquarters or large operations of numerous national and international companies. Key employers include State Farm Insurance, which has a large regional campus, Amazon, Allegiant Air, and McDonald's U.S. hamburger chain owner/operator Flynn Restaurant Group. The presence of Arizona State University drives innovation and research, supported by entities like SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. Tempe Marketplace and Mill Avenue are major retail and entertainment centers. The city also benefits from tourism related to university events, ASU Sun Devils athletics, and festivals like the Tempe Festival of the Arts.
Culture and contemporary life
Cultural life is dominated by the energy of Arizona State University, with venues like the ASU Gammage auditorium, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, hosting Broadway tours and performances. The Mill Avenue district is the historic downtown and primary entertainment corridor, featuring restaurants, bars, and shops. Major annual events include the Tempe Festival of the Arts, the PF Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon, and the ASU Homecoming celebration. The city is home to professional sports with the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League headquartered and practicing at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Facility, and Los Angeles Angels spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Public art installations, access to the Tempe, and the Arizona State's Downtown Tempe, and the Tempe Center for the Arts along Tempe Town Lake provide diverse cultural offerings.
Government
Tempe operates under a council–manager government system. The city council consists of the mayor and six council members, all elected at-large on a nonpartisan basis to four-year staggered terms. The current mayor is Corey Woods. The council sets policy and appoints a professional city manager to oversee daily municipal operations. The city provides a full range of services, including police through the Tempe Police Department, fire and medical through the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department, water, and public transit. It is part of Arizona's 5th congressional district and Arizona's 9th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
Education
The city is synonymous with higher education as the home of the main campus of Arizona State University, a major public research institution and a member of the Association of American Universities. The Tempe Union High School District serves secondary students, operating comprehensive high schools including McClintock High School and Tempe High School. Primary education is provided by the Tempe Elementary School District and the City of Tempe, and the Kyrene School District. The city is also includes several private schools, such as Tempe Preparatory Academy, and is a center for innovation in education through ASU's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and the ASU Preparatory Academy.
Category:Cities in Arizona Category:Maricopa County, Arizona Category:Populated places established in Arizona Category:University towns in the United States