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Tucson, Arizona

Tucson (pronounced "tuson" - /tjusQn/ in SAMPA notation) is a city located in Pima County, Arizona. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 486,699. It is the largest city in southern Arizona in the United States, and the second largest in the state after Phoenix. The city is the county seat of Pima County ⁶.

The name Tucson comes from Stjukshon, meaning "Spring at the base of the black mountain" in the language of the Tohono O'odham native American tribe.

Table of contents

1 History

History Tucson was founded by the Spanish, and it became Mexican after the independence of Mexico. It passed to US rule in the Gadsden purchase. From 1867 to 1877, Tucson was the capital of the Arizona Territory.

Geography Tucson is located at 32°12'52" North, 110°55'5" West (32.214476, -110.918192)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 505.3 km² (195.1 mi²). 504.2 km² (194.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.1 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.22% water.

Its elevation is 2,389 ft (728 m) above sea level.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 486,699 people, 192,891 households, and 112,455 families residing in the city. The population density is 965.3/km² (2,500.1/mi²). There are 209,609 housing units at an average density of 415.7/km² (1,076.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 70.15% White, 4.33% African American, 2.27% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 16.85% from other races, and 3.79% from two or more races. 35.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 192,891 households out of which 29.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% are married couples living together, 13.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% are non-families. 32.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.12.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $30,981, and the median income for a family is $37,344. Males have a median income of $28,548 versus $23,086 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,322. 18.4% of the population and 13.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 23.6% are under the age of 18 and 11.0% are 65 or older.

Institutions It is home to the University of Arizona, a research institution that is a very important part of the life of the city. The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base also is important to the local economy.

Attractions

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located close to the city.

Mission San Xavier del Bac is 10 miles south of the city.

Tucson Annual Gem & Mineral Show

The Tucson show is held every year in February for two weeks (open + one week for professionals). It is the largest and most famous gem and mineral show on Earth, and one where the finest mineral specimens are displayed. There is no single location for display of minerals, but dozens: big hotels and most motels are occupied for that occasion, professionals even displaying their specimens in hotel bedrooms, lobbies, under tents, and on lawns all over town. It is estimated more than 35,000 people, from more than 20 countries attend the show, as expert or beginners collectors, museum employees, dealers, retailers, and researchers. Many museums and universities, such as the Smithsonian Institute and the Sorbonne, bring materials to display at the show.