Phoenix

The first known inhabitants of the Phoenix area were the Hohokam people in the 1300s. They dug hundreds of miles of irrigation canals that transformed the area into a feasible agricultural one. Between 1300 and 1450, severe floods and periods of drought are thought to have forced the Hohokam out of the area. When the Mexican-American war ended in 1848, Mexico sold its northern territory to the U.S. and the modern Phoenix area became part of the New Mexico Territory. Army troops and pioneers began to settle in the area. In 1867, settler John “Jack” Swilling formed a small farming community close to what is now Phoenix. That same year, Lord Darrell Duppa named the area “Phoenix,” as the name describes a city born from the ruins of a former civilization. In 1881, the city was incorporated with a population of 2,500. After the establishment of a railroad, the Phoenix grew rapidly. The city became Arizona’s capital in 1912 under President William Howard Taft. Today, Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and its largest city.

Phoenix has a population of about 1,460,000. The city is about 518,000 square miles, almost all of it land. The median age of residents is about 32 and 46% of residents are married. About 57% of residents have children. 29% of its population is below the age of 18. The average household size is 2.8 people. There are about 516,000 households in Phoenix, 328,000 of which are homes to families. About 54% of its population is single. There are about about 188,000 non-family households. About 78% of Phoenix residents are white, about 6% are black, about 3% are asian, and less than 2% are native american. About 40% of its population claim hispanic ethnicity, meaning 60% are non-hispanic.

The median home price in Phoenix is $159,800. Home appreciation is about 18% over the last year. The median age of real estate here is 31 years. 49% of homes are owned, while renters make up about 37% of the population. 14% of houses and apartments are unoccupied. Vacant vacation homes make up about 2% of unoccupied housing. The median household income is $24,100. The unemployment rate in Phoenix is 5.4%, about .5% less than the national average. The cost of living in Phoenix is slightly lower than the national average. The average work commute is 24 minutes, which is on par with the national average. 75% of commuters drive their own car alone, 13% carpool with others, 5% work from home, less than 1% ride a bicycle, and about 3% take public transit.

As Phoenix is a large city, there are many notable attractions. There are an abundance of both urban and natural destinations. The city and its surrounding areas have many parks, mountains, shopping centers, bars, restaurants, and museums.

Call Calamia & Company at 623.810.9090 today to find the home of your dreams in Phoenix, Arizona.