Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a
suburbSuburbs are defined in various different ways around the world. They can be the residential areas of a large city, or separate residential communities within commuting distance of a city. Some suburbs have a degree of political autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city...
an town located north of Tucson,
ArizonaThe State of Arizona is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. The capital and largest city is Phoenix. The second largest city is Tucson, followed in size by the four Phoenix metropolitan area cities of Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, and Scottsdale.Arizona was the 48th and...
,
USAThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in
Pima CountyPima County is a county in the south central region of the U.S. state of Arizona. The county is named after the Pima American Indian tribe which was indigenous to the area. The population was 843,746 at the 2000 census...
. According to a July 2008 estimate, the population of the town is 43,223, an increase from 29,700 in 2000 (according to the U.S. Census.) Dubbed the "Upscale Tech Mecca" of Southern Arizona by the
Arizona Daily StarThe Arizona Daily Star is the major morning daily newspaper that serves Tucson and surrounding districts of southern Arizona in the United States. The newspaper was sold in 2005 by Pulitzer, Inc. to Lee Enterprises....
newspaper, Oro Valley is home to over 10
high techIn a search of New York Times articles, the first occurrence of the phrase "high tech" occurs in a 1957 story advocating "atomic energy" for Europe: "...Western Europe, with its dense population and its high technology..." The twelfth occurrence, in 1968, is, significantly, in a story about Route...
firms and has a
median household incomeThe median household income is commonly used to provide data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
nearly 50% higher than the
U.S. medianHousehold income is a measure commonly used by the United States government and private institutions. That measure counts all the income of all residents over the age of 18 in each household, including not only all wages and salaries, but such items as unemployment insurance, disability payments,...
. The town is located approximately southeast of the state capital of
PhoenixPhoenix is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the fifth most populous city in the United States...
.
Oro Valley is situated in the western foothills of the
Santa Catalina MountainsThe Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157...
at the base of
Pusch RidgePusch Ridge is the most prominent feature in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area of the Santa Catalina Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States....
. The
Tortolita MountainsThe Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. With a peak elevation of 4,652 feet, the Tortolita Mountains are situated north of Oro Valley and Marana, two suburban towns of Tucson...
are located north of the town, and vistas of the Tucson valley are to the south. The town occupies the middle Cañada del Oro Valley. Oro Valley hosts a large number of residents from around the US who maintain second or winter homes in the town.
In March 2008,
Fortune Small Business magazine named Oro Valley #44 on its list of "100 Best Places to Live and Launch" a business. The August 2008 issue of
Family CircleFamily Circle is an American women's magazine published 15 times a year by Meredith Corporation. It is, by many accounts, the best-selling women's magazine in America, with more than 4,000,000 subscribers and an advertising "reach" of roughly 20,000,000. It began publication in 1932 as a...
magazine featured Oro Valley as one of the top ten best towns for families in America.
MoneyMoney is a Time Inc. personal finance magazine. Its first issue was published in October 1972. Its articles cover the gamut of personal finance topics ranging from investing, saving, retirement and taxes to family finance issues like paying for college, credit, career and home improvement. It is...
magazine reported Oro Valley was one of the best places to live in 2007 and 2008.
Nick Jr. Family Magazine rated Oro Valley as one of the "Ten Most Playful Towns in America" in 2004. The magazine used criteria such as schools performing in the top third of their states, favorable student-teacher ratios, general safety,
libraryA library is a collection of sources, resources, and services, and the structure in which it is housed; it is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution, or a private individual. In the more traditional sense, a library is a collection of books. It can mean the collection,...
programs, and access to arts and recreation activities. Also, in 2005 Oro Valley was named one of "America's Top-Rated Smaller Cities" in the publication by Grey House Publishing. The publication specifically noted the excellence of Oro Valley's
schoolsAmphitheater Public Schools, also known as Amphi or District 10, is the third largest public school district in Tucson, Arizona in terms of enrollment, with over 16,000 students...
, medical facilities, and
golfGolf is a precision club-and-ball sport, in which competing players , using many types of clubs, attempt to hit balls into each hole on a golf course while employing the fewest number of strokes. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not require a standardized playing area...
courses.
The town hosted the 2006 Pac-10 Women's Golf Championships at the
Oro Valley Country ClubOro Valley Country Club is a private country club in Oro Valley, Arizona, a suburb located 6 miles north of Tucson. The club was founded in 1959 and designed by Robert Bruce Harris. Oro Valley Country Club is situated on the banks of the Cañada del Oro, at the base of Pusch Ridge in the Santa...
. Oro Valley Country Club was also the site for the 2006 Girl's Junior America's Cup, a major
amateurAn amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without formal training or pay. An amateur receives little or irregular income from their activities, and differs from a professional who makes a living from the pursuit and typically has some formal...
golf tournament for the Western U.S. Annual events in Oro Valley include the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts, El Tour de Tucson
bicycle race"Bicycle Race" is a single for the English rock band Queen. It was released on their 1978 album Jazz and written by Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury. The song is unusual for a Queen single in that it shows off the band's humorous side. Among other comic moments it has a middle eight which features...
, the Tucson Marathon, the Cactus Speed Classic for inline skaters, and the Arizona Distance Classic.
Pre-U.S. annexation period
The area of Oro Valley has been inhabited discontinuously for nearly two thousand years by various groups of people. The
Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States is the phrase that describes indigenous peoples from North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii. They comprise a large number of distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of...
HohokamHohokam is one of the four major prehistoric archaeological traditions of what is now the American Southwest. Variant spellings in current, official usage include Hobokam, Huhugam and Huhukam. The culture was differentiated from others in the region in the 1930s by archaeologist Harold S...
tribe lived in the Honeybee Village in the foothills of the
Tortolita MountainsThe Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. With a peak elevation of 4,652 feet, the Tortolita Mountains are situated north of Oro Valley and Marana, two suburban towns of Tucson...
on Oro Valley's far north side around 500 AD. Hohokam artifacts continue to be discovered in the Honeybee Village that the Hohokam inhabited continuously for nearly 700 years, and studied by archaeologists around the globe.
Early in the 16th century,
Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States is the phrase that describes indigenous peoples from North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii. They comprise a large number of distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of...
tribes known as the
ApacheApache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the American Southwest. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, and are related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
arrived in the southern
ArizonaThe State of Arizona is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. The capital and largest city is Phoenix. The second largest city is Tucson, followed in size by the four Phoenix metropolitan area cities of Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, and Scottsdale.Arizona was the 48th and...
area, including Oro Valley. These tribes inhabited the region only a few decades prior to the arrival of the
SpanishSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.
[The Spanish constitution does not establish any official denomination of the country, even though España , Estado español and Nación española are used interchangeably...]
Conquistadors, including Francisco Coronado. The Spanish established forts in the area, including the Presidio at Tucson (1775) beginning in the late 16th century.
Arizona Territorial period
Beginning in the 19th century, Americans increasingly settled in the
Arizona TerritoryThe Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
, following the Mexican-American War and the subsequent
Gadsden PurchaseThe Gadsden Purchase is a region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico that was purchased by the United States in a treaty signed by President Franklin Pierce on June 24, 1853, and ratified by the U.S. Senate on April 25, 1854...
including Southern Arizona. George Pusch, a German immigrant, settled in the area of Oro Valley in 1874, establishing a cattle ranch. This ranch was unique because it utilized a steam pump to provide water, eventually popularizing Pusch's property as the Steam Pump Ranch on the
Cañada del OroThe Cañada del Oro , is a primary watershed channel in the valley of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The word cañada has a tilde and is pronounced in Spanish; in English it is pronounced , not like the country of Canada....
. The steam pump was one of only two in the Arizona Territory.
Pusch's ranch provided respite for settlers and travelers entering and leaving the Tucson area.
Pusch RidgePusch Ridge is the most prominent feature in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area of the Santa Catalina Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States....
is named in honor of George Pusch.
Ranching in the area continued to flourish as greater numbers of Americans settled in the
Arizona TerritoryThe Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
. Large ranching families in the Oro Valley area included the Romeros and the Rooneys.
Gold rushers into the American West also were attracted to
southern ArizonaSouthern Arizona is a region of the United States. It is the southernmost portion of the 48th state, Arizona. Although Southern Arizona's boundaries are not well-defined, it is generally considered to include Cochise County, Pima County and Santa Cruz County, anchored by the city of Tucson...
, where gold was said to be in abundance in and around the
Santa Catalina MountainsThe Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157...
north of Tucson. Fueled by the legend of the lost Iron Door Gold Mine in the mountains, those in search of gold trekked through the Oro Valley area focusing their attention along the Cañada del Oro washbed.
Post-World War II period
After
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Tucson area experienced dramatic population growth, impacting Oro Valley as well. In the early 1950s the
Oro Valley Country ClubOro Valley Country Club is a private country club in Oro Valley, Arizona, a suburb located 6 miles north of Tucson. The club was founded in 1959 and designed by Robert Bruce Harris. Oro Valley Country Club is situated on the banks of the Cañada del Oro, at the base of Pusch Ridge in the Santa...
opened at the base of
Pusch RidgePusch Ridge is the most prominent feature in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area of the Santa Catalina Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States....
, affirming the area's future as an affluent community. Although one
tract housingTract housing is a style of housing development in which multiple identical or nearly-identical homes are built on a tract of land which is subdivided into individual lots...
development was built in the area in the early 1950s, the majority of homes in the Oro Valley area were built by individual land owners on large lots in a low density residential style.
Founding of the town
The community continued to grow gradually, and area residents increasingly desired local control of the land in the area. In the late 1960s, incorporation became a greater focus in Oro Valley. Tucson Mayor James M. Corbett, Jr. expressed great interest in expanding the Tucson city limits to the far north side of Pima County. Corbett vowed to bring the Oro Valley area into Tucson "kicking and screaming," alluding to the reservations Oro Valley residents expressed in joining Tucson.
A petition to incorporate began circulation in Oro Valley in 1968. The Pima County Board of Supervisors officially refused to allow Oro Valley to incorporate, and litigation followed. Ultimately, the
Arizona Supreme CourtThe Arizona Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Arizona. It consists of a Chief Justice, a Vice Chief Justice, and three Associate Justices. Each Justice is appointed by the Governor of Arizona from a list recommended by a bipartisan commission. Justices stand for retention in...
ruled in favor of incorporation, and in 1974 the Town of Oro Valley was incorporated with only . The original town limits included the Linda Vista Citrus Tracts, Campo Bello Estates, Shadow Mountain Estates, and Oro Valley Country Club Estates. Activity in Oro Valley centered primarily around the
Oro Valley Country ClubOro Valley Country Club is a private country club in Oro Valley, Arizona, a suburb located 6 miles north of Tucson. The club was founded in 1959 and designed by Robert Bruce Harris. Oro Valley Country Club is situated on the banks of the Cañada del Oro, at the base of Pusch Ridge in the Santa...
and
Canyon del Oro High SchoolCanyon del Oro High School, also known as CDO, is a comprehensive public high school in Oro Valley, Arizona, located north of Tucson at the base of Pusch Ridge. Established as a high school in 1964, CDO is one of three high schools of Amphitheater Public Schools and serves over 1,800 students in...
. While originally referred to as
Palo Verde, town founders proceeded with incorporation efforts with the official name of
Oro Valley to garner support from influential residents of Oro Valley Country Club. The Town began with a population of nearly 1,200.
Record growth period
| Year | Population |
|---|
| 1970 |
581 |
| 1974 |
1,200 |
| 1980 |
1,489 |
| 1985 |
3,012 |
| 1990 |
6,670 |
| 1995 |
19,657 |
| 1998 |
25,455 |
| 2000 |
29,700 |
| 2002 |
34,050 |
| 2004 |
38,280 |
| 2005 |
39,335 |
| 2008 |
43,223 |
Through the 1980s and particularly in the 1990s Oro Valley experienced significant residential and
commercialCommerce is a division of trade or production which deals with the exchange of goods and services from producer to final consumer. It comprises the trading of something of economic value such as goods, services, information, or money between two or more entities...
growth. In 1990 the town had a population of 6,670, and by 2000 that figure had increased to 29,700 residents. During that time, residential communities of all housing-unit densities were developed in the town, including several master-planned communities. For several years in the 1990s Oro Valley was the fastest growing municipality in
ArizonaThe State of Arizona is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. The capital and largest city is Phoenix. The second largest city is Tucson, followed in size by the four Phoenix metropolitan area cities of Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, and Scottsdale.Arizona was the 48th and...
.
Current state of the town
Oro Valley has attempted to strike a balance between population growth and environmental preservation. The town has attracted a number of
country clubA country club is a private club and it may have a closed membership. Most offer a variety of recreational sports facilities and are located in city outskirts or rural areas.. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or traditional polo...
s,
golfGolf is a precision club-and-ball sport, in which competing players , using many types of clubs, attempt to hit balls into each hole on a golf course while employing the fewest number of strokes. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not require a standardized playing area...
courses, and resorts, helping to solidify its reputation as one of the
Southwest'sThe Southwestern United States is defined as the states that lie west of the Mississippi River, with the qualification of a certain northern limit such as the 37, 38, 39, or 40 degree north latitude. A 97.33 longitude degree west could qualify as the separation of the American Southwest from the...
most affluent communities, with one of the highest median household incomes in the region.
Oro Valley presently encompasses approximately 34 square miles (2005), featuring an expanding public parks system, notable outdoor amenities, upscale retailing ventures, and one of the statistically highest performing public school systems in Arizona.
Formed by citizens of Oro Valley, the not-for-profit Oro Valley Historical Society has a mission in "preserving the Town's heritage for future generations." Additional information can be found on the
Society's website.
Geography
Oro Valley is located at (32.421247, -110.975993) in the middle Cañada del Oro Valley. Oro Valley sits at an average elevation of above sea level.
According to the
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
(2000), the town has a total area of 31.9 square miles (82.7 km²), of which, 31.8 square miles (82.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.31%) is water.
The
topographyTopography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
of Oro Valley is distinguished by the
Cañada del OroThe Cañada del Oro , is a primary watershed channel in the valley of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The word cañada has a tilde and is pronounced in Spanish; in English it is pronounced , not like the country of Canada....
riverbed bisecting the town. The eastern banks of the Cañada del Oro rise dramatically to the
Santa Catalina MountainsThe Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157...
. The western banks of the Cañada del Oro rise more gradually to a
plateauIn geology and earth science, a plateau, also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain...
and the
foothillsFoothills are geographically defined as gradual increases in hilly areas at the base of a mountain range. They are generally larger than hills, but not as tall as nearby mountains...
of the
Tortolita MountainsThe Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. With a peak elevation of 4,652 feet, the Tortolita Mountains are situated north of Oro Valley and Marana, two suburban towns of Tucson...
farther north.
Notable geographic features include:
- Pusch Ridge
Pusch Ridge is the most prominent feature in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area of the Santa Catalina Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States....
(peak elevation: 5,361 ft.) & Pusch Ridge Wilderness AreaPusch Ridge Wilderness Area is a 56,430 acre wilderness area. It is located within the Coronado National Forest in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona, United States...
- Santa Catalina Mountains
The Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157...
(peak elevation: 9,157 ft.)
- Cañada del Oro
The Cañada del Oro , is a primary watershed channel in the valley of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The word cañada has a tilde and is pronounced in Spanish; in English it is pronounced , not like the country of Canada....
- Tortolita Mountains
The Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. With a peak elevation of 4,652 feet, the Tortolita Mountains are situated north of Oro Valley and Marana, two suburban towns of Tucson...
(peak elevation: 4,652 ft.)
Parks
Major parks in Oro Valley include the oldest, James D. Kriegh Park (formerly Dennis Weaver Park) with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, recreational fields, and racquetball courts. The Cañada del Oro Riverfront Park features tennis and basketball courts, recreational fields, walking trails, and connections to equestrian trails along the Cañada del Oro. West Lambert Lane Park in Cañada Hills is a nature park with a number of hiking trails.
The Naranja Town Site is also in the planning phase, and will ultimately be the largest recreational park in
Southern ArizonaSouthern Arizona is a region of the United States. It is the southernmost portion of the 48th state, Arizona. Although Southern Arizona's boundaries are not well-defined, it is generally considered to include Cochise County, Pima County and Santa Cruz County, anchored by the city of Tucson...
. The site plans include a performing arts center, aquatics center, recreational fields, tennis, basketball, tether ball, and volleyball courts, canine center, BMX and skate park. However, plans for this park have been put on hold due to the defeat of the bond issue in the November 2008 election. Some attribute the defeat to the traditional anti-tax sentiment of the town's conservative and older population.
Catalina State ParkCatalina State Park is located adjacent to the Coronado National Forest in the western slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. Catalina State Park has an average elevation of , but varies dramatically with high ridges and low creek beds. The park includes 5,493 acres ,...
and the
Coronado National ForestThe Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....
in the
Santa Catalina MountainsThe Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157...
form the eastern boundary of Oro Valley.
Linda Vista Trail, located east of Oracle Road on Linda Vista Drive, south of 1st Avenue, is a quiet, secluded, well-maintained nature trail that provides excellent views of Oro Valley, Pusch Ridge, and the surrounding vicinity.
La Cholla AirparkLa Cholla Airpark is a private airpark located in Oro Valley, Pima County, Arizona, eight miles northwest of the central business district of Tucson. La Cholla Airpark was founded in 1972 and includes 122 homes and buildable lots in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains...
(FAA
57AZ), a private
airportAn airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
community, is also in northwestern Oro Valley. La Cholla Airpark was founded in 1972 and includes nearly 100 residential estates. A air strip is situated at the center of the community for member use.
Demographics
Oro Valley was the fifth fastest-growing place among all cities and towns in Arizona of any size from 1990 and 2000. Oro Valley is also one of 18 towns, cities, and
census-designated placeA census-designated place is a type of place identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
s in Arizona with a
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
over $30,000 USD, and one of 12 with a
median household incomeArizona has the twenty-ninth highest per capita income in the United States of America, at $20,275 . Its personal per capita income is $26,838 .- Arizona counties ranked by per capita income :...
over $60,000 USD.
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 29,700 people, 12,249 households, and 9,382 families residing in the town. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 933.1 people per square mile (360.3/km²). There were 13,946 housing units at an average density of 438.2/sq mi (169.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.10%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.06%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.41%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.92%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.12%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.83% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.56% from two or more races. 7.47% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 12,249 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.8% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $74,015, and the median income for a family was $80,807. Males had a median income of $55,522 versus $31,517 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
for the town was $31,134. 3.1% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Economy
Oro Valley is emerging as a regional center for the biotech industry.
Innovation Park is the high-tech center of Oro Valley, featuring a number of medical and biotech campuses. Primary employers in Oro Valley include:
- Integrated Biomolecule Corporation: IBC is a drug development
Drug development is a blanket term used to define the entire process of bringing a new drug or device to the Market. It includes Drug discovery / product development, pre-clinical research and Clinical trials...
and analytical chemistryAnalytical chemistry is the study of the chemical composition of natural and artificial materials. Properties studied in analytical chemistry include geometric features such as molecular morphologies and distributions of species, as well as features such as composition and species identity...
services company. It also engages in the research, development, and synthesis of organic compounds.
- Ventana Medical Systems: The international headquarters for the company are in Innovation Park. In 2008, Ventana was purchased by Roche Pharmaceuticals.
- Northwest Medical Center-Oro Valley: The hospital, along with a medical office building are in Innovation Park.
- Honeywell
Honeywell is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
: Honeywell is the producer of electronic control systems and automationAutomation is the use of control systems , in concert with other applications of information technology , to control industrial machinery and processes, reducing the need for human intervention...
equipment.
- Sanofi-Aventis
Sanofi-Aventis , headquartered in Paris, France, is a multinational pharmaceutical company, the world's fourth-largest by prescription sales. Sanofi-Aventis engages in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products for sale principally in the prescription...
: The world’s third largest pharmaceutical companyThe pharmaceutical industry develops, produces, and markets drugs licensed for use as medications. Pharmaceutical companies can deal in generic and/or brand medications. They are subject to a variety of laws and regulations regarding the patenting, testing and marketing of drugs.-History:The...
is in Innovation Park.
Oro Valley does not levy a local property tax. Commercial property is assessed at 25% of fair market value, while residential property is assessed at 10% of fair market value.
Golf and resorts
The economy of Oro Valley is also fueled by the resort industry. Oro Valley features several resorts and country clubs, including:
| Name | Year founded |
|---|
| Oro Valley Country Club Oro Valley Country Club is a private country club in Oro Valley, Arizona, a suburb located 6 miles north of Tucson. The club was founded in 1959 and designed by Robert Bruce Harris. Oro Valley Country Club is situated on the banks of the Cañada del Oro, at the base of Pusch Ridge in the Santa...
|
1959 |
Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis ResortHilton Hotels is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by the Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels are either owned, managed, or franchised to independent operators by the Hilton Hotels Corporation. there are 533 Hilton branded hotels across...
|
1982 |
Hilton El Conquistador Country Club in Cañada HillsHilton Hotels is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by the Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels are either owned, managed, or franchised to independent operators by the Hilton Hotels Corporation. there are 533 Hilton branded hotels across...
|
1982 |
| The Golf Club at Vistoso |
1995 |
| Sun City Vistoso Golf Club |
1997 |
| The Stone Canyon Golf Club |
1999 |
| New resort planned for Stone Canyon |
N/A |
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & SpaOmni Hotels is a privately-owned upscale American hotel company; the firm is headquartered in Suite 200 at 420 Decker Drive in Irving, Texas....
(near Oro Valley) |
1962 |
| Westward Look Resort (near Oro Valley) |
1912 |
Arts
Oro Valley supports an emerging arts scene and community. The Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (GOVAC) actively promotes artistic endeavors throughout the town.
Each winter, Musical Magic for Kids is held at the Oro Valley Town Hall, along with multiple string quartet and choral performances throughout the town.
Every April, the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts is held celebrating all forms of art and artistic expression. Live musical performances are held throughout the spring in the open-air amphitheater at Cañada del Oro Riverfront Park.
The annual Independence Day celebration is one of the largest events in Oro Valley. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra performs, along with several choirs. Fireworks shows and concerts are also provided by the Hilton El Conquistador Resort.
Public art is exhibited throughout the year at the Northwest Hospital-Oro Valley in Rancho Vistoso. A number of sculptures, murals, and statues of public art are featured throughout Oro Valley.
Law and government
The Town of Oro Valley employs the council-manager form of municipal government. Oro Valley is administered by the seven-member Town Council. The Town Council oversees all issues pertaining to Oro Valley, including residential and commercial development and natural preservation.
Oro Valley residents elect all seven members of the Town Council, including a directly elected Mayor. The Vice Mayor is appointed by the Council from amongst its elected Councilmembers. The Mayor and Vice Mayor have no special powers and duties beyond chairing meetings, but rather serve as rank and file council members.
- Mayor: Mr. Paul Loomis (term expires May 2010)
- Vice Mayor: Kenneth "KC" Carter (term expires May 2010)
The remaining five members of the Oro Valley Town Council include:
- Mrs. Paula Abbott (term expires May 2010)
- Mr. Mr. Al Kunisch (term expires May 2010)
- Mr. Bill Garner (term expires May 2012)
- Mr. Barry Gillaspie (term expires May 2012)
- Ms. Salette Latas (term expires May 2012)
The Town Manager was Mr. David Andrews. Andrews resigned from his position in late September, 2009 for reasons as yet unknown.
The primary
law enforcementA police service is a public force empowered to enforce the law and provide security through the legitimized use of force.The term is most commonly associated with police services of a state that are authorized to exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal or territorial area of...
in the town is the Oro Valley Police Department, headed by Chief of Police Daniel G. Sharp. As of 2008, the OVPD employed 102 sworn police officers, or 2.36 officers per 1,000 population. The OVPD has a significant reputation in the greater Tucson area for strict enforcement of traffic laws, to the extent that many locals believe a vehicle will be stopped for going 1 mph over the speed limit. This reputation is due, in large part, to the policies of previous Chiefs of Police, and does not hold true today. However, due to reputations such as these, combined with pro-active policing, Oro Valley enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. In 2006, Oro Valley ranked #1 in the State of Arizona for the lowest levels of both violent crime and property crime, among cities with populations of 5,000+.
http://azcops.com/PoliceLaborNews.aspx#OroValley
http://www.idcide.com/lists/az/on-population-2006-violent-crime-rate.htm
http://www.idcide.com/lists/az/on-population-2006-property-crime-rate.htm
The Oro Valley Citizen Corps Council, appointed by the Mayor, is also a task force involved in community public safety.
Education
Public schools in Oro Valley are administered by
Amphitheater Public SchoolsAmphitheater Public Schools, also known as Amphi or District 10, is the third largest public school district in Tucson, Arizona in terms of enrollment, with over 16,000 students...
of Tucson. Oro Valley is served by four elementary schools, two K-8 schools, one
middle schoolMiddle school or junior high school serves as a "bridge" between elementary school and high school. The terms can be used in different ways in different countries, sometimes interchangeably...
, and two high schools (
Canyon del Oro High SchoolCanyon del Oro High School, also known as CDO, is a comprehensive public high school in Oro Valley, Arizona, located north of Tucson at the base of Pusch Ridge. Established as a high school in 1964, CDO is one of three high schools of Amphitheater Public Schools and serves over 1,800 students in...
and
Ironwood Ridge High SchoolIronwood Ridge High School is a public high school, located in Oro Valley, Arizona. Ironwood Ridge is one of three high schools in the Amphitheater Public School District in Tucson, Arizona and serves grades 9-12. The school mascot is the nighthawk, and the school colors are navy blue and silver....
). In 2007,
Newsweek MagazineNewsweek is an American weekly newsmagazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
rated both Canyon del Oro and Ironwood Ridge in the top 5% of
public schoolsIn most of the world, excluding England and Wales and some Commonwealth countries, a public school is an educational institution that is funded with tax revenue and most commonly administered by a local government or government agency...
in the U.S., two of only 12 schools in Arizona included on the list.
Oro Valley also has three private schools, two of which include high schools (
Pusch Ridge Christian AcademyPusch Ridge Christian Academy is a private school, located in Oro Valley, Arizona. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is a ministry of Catalina Foothills Church, PCA. The school is a member of ACSI and NCA accredited. Pusch Ridge serves grades 6-12. The school mascot is the lions...
and Immaculate Heart Preparatory School.)
Public schools serving Oro Valley include:
| School | Year founded |
|---|
Canyon del Oro High SchoolCanyon del Oro High School, also known as CDO, is a comprehensive public high school in Oro Valley, Arizona, located north of Tucson at the base of Pusch Ridge. Established as a high school in 1964, CDO is one of three high schools of Amphitheater Public Schools and serves over 1,800 students in...
|
1962 |
Ironwood Ridge High SchoolIronwood Ridge High School is a public high school, located in Oro Valley, Arizona. Ironwood Ridge is one of three high schools in the Amphitheater Public School District in Tucson, Arizona and serves grades 9-12. The school mascot is the nighthawk, and the school colors are navy blue and silver....
|
2001 |
| Richard B. Wilson K-8 School Richard B. Wilson K-8 School is a K-8 school in the Amphitheater School District located in Oro Valley, a suburb of Tucson, Arizona. Wilson was founded in 1996 in honor of former Amphitheater School District superintendent Richard Bernard Wilson and serves a large student population of over...
|
1996 |
| Coronado K-8 School |
1976 |
| L.W. Cross Middle School |
1974 |
| Copper Creek Elementary School |
1988 |
| Painted Sky Elementary School |
2000 |
| Mesa Verde Elementary School |
1978 |
| Winifred Harelson Elementary School |
1960 |
Colleges and universities
Residents of Oro Valley have access to
Pima Community CollegePima Community College is a two-year institution of higher education in Pima County, Arizona serving the Tucson metropolitan area. The community college district consists of six campuses, four education centers, and several adult education learning centers. It provides traditional and online...
Northwest, located just south of the town. The
University of ArizonaThe University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
is also nearby in Tucson, with a student body of nearly 37,000.
Sites of interest
- Steam Pump Ranch: Located in the heart of Oro Valley, the Steam Pump Ranch dates back to the mid-1870s when George Pusch settled in the area. Pusch was an Arizona state legislator and delegate to the original Arizona Constitutional Convention in 1910. The ranch is in the process of being preserved by the town and includes several original buildings from the ranch itself. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in September 2009.
- Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park is located adjacent to the Coronado National Forest in the western slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. Catalina State Park has an average elevation of , but varies dramatically with high ridges and low creek beds. The park includes 5,493 acres ,...
: Located on N. Oracle Road (AZ State Hwy. 77). Catalina State Park has a number of hikingHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking have been confirmed in studies...
and backpackingBackpacking combines hiking and camping in a single trip. A backpacker hikes into the backcountry to spend one or more nights there, and carries supplies and equipment to satisfy sleeping and eating needs.-Definition:A backpacker packs all of his or her gear into a backpack...
trails, including Romero Ruin Trail, Nature Trail, Romero Canyon Trail, Sutherland Trail, Canyon Loop Trail, 50-Year Trail, Birding Trail, and the Bridle Trail. Specific trails are also open to equestrians. Certain trails also connect with other trails in the Coronado National ForestThe Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....
, continuing to Mount LemmonMount Lemmon is in the Santa Catalina Mountains located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. It is 9,157 feet above sea-level, and receives approximately 180 inches of snow annually...
, the highest peak in the Santa Catalina MountainsThe Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157...
at . The park also features several campgrounds and an equestrianEquestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving horses. This broad description includes both use of horses for practical, working purposes as well as recreational activities and competitive sports.-Overview of equestrian activities:...
center.
- Immaculate Heart Preparatory School: The school is in the former mansion of Margaret Howard, the Countess of Suffolk from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
. Built in 1937 as her winter residence, the estate is situated in the Suffolk Hills neighborhood of Oro Valley.
- Honey Bee Village: The Native American
Native Americans in the United States is the phrase that describes indigenous peoples from North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii. They comprise a large number of distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of...
HohokamHohokam is one of the four major prehistoric archaeological traditions of what is now the American Southwest. Variant spellings in current, official usage include Hobokam, Huhugam and Huhukam. The culture was differentiated from others in the region in the 1930s by archaeologist Harold S...
people occupied a small community in the foothills of the Tortolita MountainsThe Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. With a peak elevation of 4,652 feet, the Tortolita Mountains are situated north of Oro Valley and Marana, two suburban towns of Tucson...
beginning around 500 AD, and the remaining ruins are preserved by the town at the original site on Oro Valley's far north side.
- Bell House
Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
: The private estate was completed in the early 1940s for the family of Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
, widely recognized as the foremost inventor of the telephoneThe telephone is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sound, most commonly the human voice. It is one of the most common household appliances in the developed world, and has long been considered indispensable to business, industry and government...
. Located just south of Oro Valley, the estate affords expansive views of the Tucson valley to the south. Still privately owned by the Bell family, the estate is closed to the public.
- Romero Ranch
Romero Canyon is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and part of the Coronado National Forest. A popular hiking trail leads to the Romero Pools, which hold water even during the driest parts of the season. The trailhead for the Romero Canyon Trail is located in the Catalina State Park. It is...
: The ruins of the large Romero Ranch are in Catalina State ParkCatalina State Park is located adjacent to the Coronado National Forest in the western slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. Catalina State Park has an average elevation of , but varies dramatically with high ridges and low creek beds. The park includes 5,493 acres ,...
east of Oro Valley. Established in 1844 by Francisco Romero, Romero Ranch was one of the first cattle ranches near the Santa Catalina MountainsThe Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157...
.
- Canyon del Oro High School
Canyon del Oro High School, also known as CDO, is a comprehensive public high school in Oro Valley, Arizona, located north of Tucson at the base of Pusch Ridge. Established as a high school in 1964, CDO is one of three high schools of Amphitheater Public Schools and serves over 1,800 students in...
: Construction began on the school in the early 1960s before much of the area was developed. Located in south Oro Valley and directly adjacent to Pusch RidgePusch Ridge is the most prominent feature in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area of the Santa Catalina Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States....
, CDO is an established community center for the town.
- Oro Valley Public Library
The Oro Valley Public library is an affiliate of the Pima County Public Library system and is located at 1305 W. Naranja Drive in the town of Oro Valley outside Tucson, Arizona.The original structure opened on July 31, 2002...
: Located in the heart of Oro Valley, on the golf course, with views of Pusch RidgePusch Ridge is the most prominent feature in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area of the Santa Catalina Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States....
.
Media
Oro Valley is served by the following publications:
Arizona Daily StarThe Arizona Daily Star is the major morning daily newspaper that serves Tucson and surrounding districts of southern Arizona in the United States. The newspaper was sold in 2005 by Pulitzer, Inc. to Lee Enterprises....
: A morning daily paper. Sold in 2005 by
Pulitzer, Inc.Founded by yellow-journalist Joseph Pulitzer , Pulitzer Inc., owned 14 daily newspapers across the United States, and one weekly chain. Its papers included the St...
to Lee Enterprises.
Tucson CitizenThe Tucson Citizen was a daily newspaper in Tucson, Arizona. It was founded by Richard C. McCormick with John Wasson as publisher and editor on October 15, 1870 as the Arizona Citizen. The most recent publisher and editor was Michael Chihak...
: was an afternoon daily paper. The Tucson Citizen was the oldest continuously published newspaper in Arizona, established in 1870 as the "Arizona Citizen". It was owned by Gannett but has since ceased publication as of late August 2009.
The ExplorerThe Explorer is a weekly newspaper covering Northwest Tucson, Arizona. Its coverage area includes the towns of Oro Valley and Marana and the communities of Catalina Foothills, Casas Adobes, Catalina, SaddleBrooke, Tortolita, Oracle, along with neighborhoods in the City of Tucson and Pima...
: a free, weekly newspaper covering Northwest Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana and the communities of Catalina Foothills, Tortolita, Catalina and Oracle. The Explorer covers many aspects of suburban Tucson life, including high-school sports and performances, cultural events, features, and stories of political interest.
Tucson WeeklyThe Tucson Weekly is an alternative newsweekly that was founded in 1984 and serves the Tucson, Arizona metropolitan area of about 900,000 residents. The paper is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies....
: an alternative publication that is distributed free at numerous locations around the greater Tucson area.
Oro Valley is also served by the following television networks: KVOA 4 (NBC), KGUN 9 (ABC), KOLD 13 (
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American television network, one of television's original "big three", which also include NBC and ABC. Like NBC, CBS started out as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System...
), KMSB 11 (
FOXThe Fox Broadcasting Company , commonly referred to as Fox , is an American television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, from 2004 to 2009 Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the 18–49 demographic...
), KTTU 18 (
UPNUnited Paramount Network was a television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States, being in production for over eleven years. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries. It was later owned by CBS Corporation. Its first night of broadcasting was...
), and KWBA 58 (WB). KUAT 6 is a
PBSThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television service with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. However, its operations are largely funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting...
affiliate run by the University of Arizona.
External links