Tempe

Tempe’s history dates back to prehistoric times. The Hohokam people built the original canal system, which was the largest and most sophisticated of the prehistoric New World. This system allowed for the area to have great success in agriculture. After the disappearance of the Hohokam people during the 15th century, Fort McDowell was established in 1865. U.S. military service members and hispanic workers were hired to grow food and raise animals to feed the fort. This worker population congregated and lived in what became modern Tempe. Pioneer Darrell Duppa is thought to have named Tempe after he noticed the resemblance that the Salt River Valley bore to the Vale of Tempe near Mount Olympus in Greece. The city continued to grow: what is now Arizona State University opened in 1885, the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad was built in 1887, and the Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911. Tempe was incorporated in 1894.

Tempe has a population of about 164,200. The iner suburb is about 40 square miles, almost all of it land. The median age of residents is about 28, and 33% of residents are married, which is about 17% less than the national average. 33% of residents have children, about one-third of the total population. 18% of its population is below the age of 18. The average household size is 2.4. There are about 65,000 households in Mesa, about half of which are homes to families. About 67% of its population is single, which is about 18% higher than the national average. There are about 33,000 non-family households.

About 78% of Mesa residents are white, less than 5% are black, about 7% are asian, and about 3% are native american. About 22% of its populaition claim hispanic ethnicity, meaning 78% are non-hispanic.

The median home price in Tempe is $209,600. Home appreciation is up about 19% from last year. The median age of real estate here is 33 years. 41% of homes are owned, while renters make up 48% of the population. 11% of houses and apartments are unoccupied. Vacant vacation homes make up about 1% of unoccupied housing.

The average work commute is 20 minutes, which is slighlty less than the national average. 71% of commuters drive their own car alone, 9% carpool with others, 5% work from home, about 5% ride a bicycle, and about 5% take public transit. The overall cost of living is on par with the national average.

Tempe is full of both urban and natural attractions. Notable attractions include Arizona State University, A-Mountain, Mill Avenue and its restaurants and bars, Arizona Mills shopping center, Tempe Town Lake, Tempe Beach Park, and many public outdoor trails for hiking and walking. The city is situated about 10 miles east of central Phoenix.

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