Paradise Valley, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Paradise Valley is a small, affluent town in Maricopa County, Arizona
Maricopa County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. According to the 2005 Census Bureau, the population of the town was 14,558. Despite the town's relatively small area and population compared to other municipalities in the Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...

 metropolitan area, Paradise Valley is home to twelve resorts, making it one of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

's premiere tourist destinations. It has very expensive real estate, with a median home price at $1.74 million, with many exceeding $10 million and some over $40 million.

It should not be confused with Paradise Valley Village, an official municipal designation, in northeast Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...

, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Arizona. For instance, Paradise Valley Community College
Paradise Valley Community College
Paradise Valley Community College is a 2-year community college in Phoenix, Arizona. It is located in the North Phoenix neighborhood. A branch campus, , opened in August 2009 in the far northern section of Scottsdale, Arizona to serve this rapidly growing area...

, Paradise Valley High School, Paradise Valley Hospital, Paradise Valley Mall
Paradise Valley Mall
Paradise Valley Mall is a shopping mall located in northeastern Phoenix, Arizona. It opened in 1978 and is the hub of a master planned community called Paradise Valley Village. The entire project was developed by Westcor, the leading shopping center developer in Arizona, which is now a unit of The...

, and Paradise Valley Golf Course are all located several miles to the north of the town, in Phoenix. The town's name along with all the other various entities bearing the same name comes from the expansive area known as Paradise Valley, that spreads from north of the Phoenix mountains to Cave Creek & Carefree on the north and the McDowell Mountains to the east.

Residents attend schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District.

There is a Paradise Valley Unified School District, and it is one of the largest in the state, though like many other institutions with the name Paradise Valley, it refers to the Phoenix village, and not to the town.

Geography

Paradise Valley is located at 33°32′41"N 111°57′23"W (33.544596, -111.956451).

According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The 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...

, the town has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40.1 km²), all of it land.

The central terrain of Paradise Valley is dominated by Mummy Mountain
Mummy Mountain (Arizona)
Mummy Mountain is a mountain situated in Paradise Valley, Arizona, United States. The mountain is located at latitude 33°32'32.94"N longitude 111°57'40.92"W and rises to an elevation of 2,021 feet above sea level...

. Other landmarks include Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is a mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The name is derived from its shape, which resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel. The mountain, a prominent landmark for the metropolitan Phoenix valley, is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area...

 on the southern border and the Piestewa Peak
Piestewa Peak
Piestewa Peak , at 2608 feet is the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, after Camelback Mountain, and the third highest in the city of Phoenix, Arizona. It is located in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Piestewa Peak is named in honor of Army Spc...

 mountainous area on the western border.

Demographics

As of the census
Census
A 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. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

of 2000, there were 13,664 people, 5,034 households, and 4,163 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 was 881.7 people per square mile (340.4/km²). There were 5,499 housing units at an average density of 354.8 per square mile (137.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.60% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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...

, 0.73% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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 American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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...

, 0.20% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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...

, 2.02% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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...

, 0.04% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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...

, 0.40% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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 1.02% from two or more races. 2.66% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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 Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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 5,034 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...

 living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.3% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 18.8% from 25 to 44, 35.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $150,228, and the median income for a family was $164,811. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $52,302 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

 for the town was $81,290. About 1.9% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The Mayor and six Town Council Members are the elected representatives of the Town of Paradise Valley. The Town Council is composed of seven members who are elected to serve four-year staggered terms. After each election, the Council selects a Mayor and Vice-Mayor from among its members. Scott LeMarr was selected Mayor and Mary Hamway was selected Vice Mayor on June 10, 2010. The Town Manager is James C. Bacon, Jr., and the Assistant Town Manager and Finance Director is David Andrews. The Chief of Police is John Bennett.

Notable residents

  • Christopher Paolini
    Christopher Paolini
    Christopher Paolini is an American author. He is best known as the author of the Inheritance Cycle, which consists of the books Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance...

     - Writer
  • Muhammed Ali - Boxer
  • Alice Cooper
    Alice Cooper
    Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...

     - Rock star
  • Clive Cussler
    Clive Cussler
    Clive Eric Cussler is an American adventure novelist and marine archaeologist. His thriller novels, many featuring the character Dirk Pitt, have reached The New York Times fiction best-seller list more than seventeen times...

     - Writer
  • Bennett Dorrance - Businessman, philanthropist, Campbell's Soup heir
  • Hugh Downs
    Hugh Downs
    Hugh Malcolm Downs is a long time American broadcaster, television host, news anchor, TV producer, author, game show host, and music composer; and is perhaps best known for his role as co-host the NBC News program Today from 1962 to 1971, host of the Concentration game show from 1958 to 1969, and...

     - Broadcaster
  • Hunter Gomez
    Hunter Gomez
    Hunter Gomez is an American actor. He is probably most widely recognized for his work in films and guest appearances in American television.-Career:...

     - Actor
  • Mark Grace - Baseball player
  • Rob Halford
    Rob Halford
    Robert John Arthur "Rob" Halford is an English singer-songwriter, who is best known as the lead vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning heavy metal band Judas Priest. He is nicknamed the "Metal God" as a tribute to his influence on metal, and after the Judas Priest song of the same name from 1980's...

     - Rockstar
  • Jeff Hornacek
    Jeff Hornacek
    Jeffrey John Hornacek is a retired American basketball player who played at the shooting guard position in the NBA from 1986–2000.-Elementary and high school:...

     - Basketball player
  • Craig Jackson - Barrett-Jackson
    Barrett-Jackson
    Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction provides products and services to classic and collector car owners, collectors and automotive enthusiasts...

     Auction Owner
  • Randy Johnson
    Randy Johnson
    Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....

     - Baseball pitcher
  • Bil Keane
    Bil Keane
    William Aloysius Keane , better known as Bil Keane, was an American cartoonist. He is most notable for his work on the long-running newspaper comic The Family Circus, which began its run in 1960 and continues in syndication, drawn by his son Jeff Keane.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia,...

     - Cartoonist
  • Barry Brodsky - Businessman
  • Charles Keating
    Charles Keating
    Charles Humphrey Keating Jr. is an American athlete, lawyer, real estate developer, banker, and financier, most known for his role in the savings and loan scandal of the late 1980s....

     - Reagan appointee and figure in the Lincoln Savings and Loan scandal
    Keating Five
    The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The five senators – Alan Cranston , Dennis DeConcini, John Glenn , John McCain , and Donald W. Riegle,...

  • Nikolai Khabibulin
    Nikolai Khabibulin
    Nikolai Ivanovich Khabibulin is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...

     - Ice hockey goaltender
  • Steve Nash
    Steve Nash
    Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...

     - Basketball player
  • Stevie Nicks
    Stevie Nicks
    Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...

     - Singer
  • Sandra Day O'Connor
    Sandra Day O'Connor
    Sandra Day O'Connor is an American jurist who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981...

     - Former Justice of the US Supreme Court
    Supreme Court of the United States
    The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...

  • Dan Quayle
    Dan Quayle
    James Danforth "Dan" Quayle served as the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving with President George H. W. Bush . He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Indiana....

     - Former US Vice-President
  • Paolo Soleri
    Paolo Soleri
    Paolo Soleri is an Italian-American architect. He established Arcosanti and the educational Cosanti Foundation. Soleri is a lecturer in the College of Architecture at Arizona State University and a National Design Award recipient in 2006.-Early life:Soleri was born in Turin, Italy...

     - architect
  • Peter Sperling
    Peter Sperling
    Peter V. Sperling is one of the 400 wealthiest Americans, and the son of John Sperling. He is Senior Vice President and a Director of Apollo Group, and a co-founder and Chairman of CallWave, Inc...

     - Businessman
  • Don Stewart
    Don Stewart (preacher)
    Don Stewart is a Pentecostal minister and faith healer. He is a televangelist who hosts "Power and Mercy" on Black Entertainment Television, The Word Network, and other television channels...

    - Head of Don Stewart Ministries/Association
  • "Superstar" Billy Graham - Wrestler
  • Mike Tyson
    Mike Tyson
    Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...

     - Boxer
  • Kurt Warner
    Kurt Warner
    Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...

     - Football player
  • "Vinny" Del Negro - NBA Coach
  • Erma Bombeck
    Erma Bombeck
    Erma Louise Bombeck was an American humorist who achieved great popularity for her newspaper column that described suburban home life from the mid-1960s until the late 1990s...

     - Humorist
  • Charles Boyer
    Charles Boyer
    Charles Boyer was a French actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found success in movies during the 1930s. His memorable performances were among the era's most highly praised romantic dramas,...

     - Actor
  • Barry Goldwater
    Barry Goldwater
    Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...

     - U.S. Senator
  • Thelma Keane
    Thelma Keane
    Thelma "Thel" Keane was the Australian-born American wife of The Family Circus newspaper cartoonist, Bil Keane...

     - Businesswoman, wife of Bil Keane
  • Jesse Owens
    Jesse Owens
    James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the...

     - Sprinter
  • William Rehnquist
    William Rehnquist
    William Hubbs Rehnquist was an American lawyer, jurist, and political figure who served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States and later as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States...

     - Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
  • Andrew Taylor Still
    Andrew Taylor Still
    Andrew Taylor Still is considered the father of osteopathy and osteopathic medicine. He was also a physician & surgeon, author, inventor and Kansas territorial & state legislator. He was one of the founders of Baker University, the oldest 4-year college in the state of Kansas, and was the founder...

     - Founder of Osteopathy
  • Leslie Nielsen
    Leslie Nielsen
    Leslie William Nielsen, OC was a Canadian and naturalized American actor and comedian. Nielsen appeared in more than one hundred films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying more than 220 characters...

    - Actor

External links

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