Avondale, Arizona | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Entrance sign | |
 Flag | |
 Location in Maricopa County, Arizona | |
| Coordinates:33°26′01″N112°20′59″W / 33.43361°N 112.34972°W /33.43361; -112.34972 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Maricopa |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mike Pineda |
| Area | |
• Total | 47.87 sq mi (123.99 km2) |
| • Land | 47.62 sq mi (123.33 km2) |
| • Water | 0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2) |
| Elevation | 974 ft (297 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 89,334 |
| • Density | 1,876.1/sq mi (724.38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (nodaylight saving time)) |
| ZIP codes | 85323, 85392 |
| Area code | 623 |
| FIPS code | 04-04720 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409765[2] |
| Website | www |
Avondale is a city inMaricopa County,Arizona, United States, adjacent toPhoenix. As of the2020 census, the population of the city was 89,334,[3] up from 76,238 in 2010 and 35,883 in 2000.
Avondale, incorporated in 1946, has experienced rapid residential and commercial growth in the years since 1980. Once primarily a sparsely populated farming community with many acres of alfalfa and cotton fields, Avondale has transformed into a major bedroom suburb for Phoenix.
William "Billy" G. Moore, arrived in Arizona in the late 1860s, settling near the Agua Fria River in 1880. Moore called bought land and named his settlement "Coldwater, Arizona" - apparently for both the river and the water that flowed from a local spring. He served a brief stint as Justice of the Peace for the Agua Fria area. He eventually established a stage stop near Agua Fria crossing, the Coldwater Stage Station in the 1880s. The state station was one of the very earliest stage stations in the region, supplying travelers with provisions on their way from Tucson to northern Arizona and California. A saloon and a general store were also built, bringing in more commerce for the settlement.
The post office was established in 1896 at a site near Avondale Ranch. From 1901 until 1905, William Moore served as Postmaster of the Coldwater post office. The post office eventually became known as Avondale, taking the name of the nearby ranch, and the name Coldwater was discontinued. In December 1946, the City of Avondale was incorporated.
Subsequent development resulted in a conglomeration of styles and architecture along Western Avenue typical of small western towns, with ranching, the railroad, and cotton farming as the main industries. Recently, the city has seen tremendous growth in new development, both residential and commercial, while the Old Town area along Western Avenue preserves the historic business district and safeguards opportunities for small, independent businesses.[4]
Avondale is a modern city, near the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Over the last decade, population growth took place at a rate of over 114%, making the city one of the fastest-growing in Maricopa County.[5]
Avondale is located at33°26′01″N112°20′59″W / 33.43361°N 112.34972°W /33.43361; -112.34972 (33.435322, −112.349758).[6] It is bordered to the west byGoodyear, to the north byLitchfield Park, and to the east byPhoenix andTolleson.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 47.9 square miles (124 km2), of which 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 0.54%, are water.[1] TheGila River crosses the southern part of the city, joined from the north by theAgua Fria River.
Interstate 10 crosses the northern part of Avondale, with access from exits 129 through 133A. The freeway leads east 15 miles (24 km) toDowntown Phoenix and west 134 miles (216 km) toBlythe, California.
Avondale has a large amount of sunshine year-round due to its stable descending air and high pressure. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, the city has aHot desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.[7]
Winters are sunny and mild with nighttime lows averaging between 40 °F (4 °C) and 50 °F (4 °C and 10 °C) and daytime highs ranging from 60 °F (16 °C) to 75 °F (16 °C to 24 °C). The record low temperature recorded in Avondale is 16 °F (−9 °C).Summers are extremely hot, with daily high temperatures at or above 100 °F (38 °C) for the entirety of June, July, and August, as well as many days in May and September. An occasionalheat wave will spike temperatures over 115 °F (46 °C) briefly. Nighttime lows in the summer months average between 70 °F (21 °C) and 80 °F (21 °C and 27 °C), with an occasional overnight low above 80 °F (27 °C) not uncommon. Avondale's record high temperature stands at an impressive 125 °F (52 °C), a few degrees warmer than the record forPhoenix, and just 3 °F (−16 °C) shy ofArizona's state record of 128 °F (53 °C), recorded inLake Havasu City on June 29, 1994.
Snow is rare in the area, occurring once every several years. Lows in the winter occasionally dip below freezing, which may damage some desert plants such assaguaros and othercacti. In the summer (mainly July, August, and early September), theNorth American Monsoon can hit the Phoenix area in the afternoon and evening (possibly continuing overnight), causing rain showers even from a sunny morning. Dust storms are occasional, mainly during the summer.
| Climate data for Avondale, Arizona | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 93 (34) | 100 (38) | 105 (41) | 115 (46) | 125 (52) | 125 (52) | 120 (49) | 116 (47) | 109 (43) | 98 (37) | 89 (32) | 125 (52) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 65 (18) | 70 (21) | 76 (24) | 85 (29) | 94 (34) | 103 (39) | 105 (41) | 103 (39) | 98 (37) | 87 (31) | 74 (23) | 64 (18) | 85 (30) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 42 (6) | 45 (7) | 50 (10) | 56 (13) | 64 (18) | 72 (22) | 79 (26) | 79 (26) | 72 (22) | 59 (15) | 48 (9) | 41 (5) | 59 (15) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 16 (−9) | 22 (−6) | 22 (−6) | 27 (−3) | 36 (2) | 49 (9) | 57 (14) | 50 (10) | 44 (7) | 31 (−1) | 22 (−6) | 20 (−7) | 16 (−9) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.99 (25) | 1.28 (33) | 0.97 (25) | 0.37 (9.4) | 0.11 (2.8) | 0.04 (1.0) | 0.83 (21) | 1.23 (31) | 0.95 (24) | 0.49 (12) | 0.68 (17) | 0.99 (25) | 8.93 (227) |
| Source: The Weather Channel[8] | |||||||||||||
The surveying marker of the Gila and Salt River Meridian is located on Monument Hill. Ever since 1851, this has been the center point used by the state to measure the land in Arizona. The federal government recognized this point for measuring the boundary between the United States and Mexico after theMexican–American War ended. The first survey, conducted in 1867, involved the first 36 miles (58 km) of Arizona. Up until 1874, this was the epicenter of all surveying in Arizona for property deeds. It was listed in theNational Register of Historic Places on October 15, 2002, Reference #02001137. Monument Hill is located at 115th Avenue and Baseline Road in Avondale.[9]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 517 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,770 | 242.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,505 | — | |
| 1960 | 6,151 | 145.5% | |
| 1970 | 6,626 | 7.7% | |
| 1980 | 8,168 | 23.3% | |
| 1990 | 16,169 | 98.0% | |
| 2000 | 35,883 | 121.9% | |
| 2010 | 76,238 | 112.5% | |
| 2020 | 89,334 | 17.2% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 96,196 | 7.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] World Population Review[11] | |||
| Race / ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop. 2000[12] | Pop. 2010[13] | Pop. 2020[14] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 15,959 | 25,958 | 23,127 | 44.48% | 34.05% | 25.89% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,748 | 6,643 | 8,272 | 4.87% | 8.71% | 9.26% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 245 | 746 | 991 | 0.68% | 0.98% | 1.11% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 654 | 2,532 | 3,445 | 1.82% | 3.32% | 3.86% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 38 | 208 | 339 | 0.11% | 0.27% | 0.38% |
| Some other race alone (NH) | 39 | 173 | 550 | 0.11% | 0.23% | 0.62% |
| Mixed race or multi-racial (NH) | 611 | 1,638 | 2,932 | 1.70% | 2.15% | 3.28% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16,589 | 38,340 | 49,678 | 46.23% | 50.29% | 55.61% |
| Total | 35,883 | 76,238 | 89,334 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Avondale first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as the 45th Precinct of Maricopa County (AKA Coldwater).[15] In 1930, it simply appeared as the Coldwater Precinct. It was recorded as having a Spanish/Hispanic majority for that census[16] (the census would not separately feature that racial demographic again until 1980). With the combination of all county precincts into three districts in 1940, it did not report on that census. In 1946, it was incorporated as the town of Avondale, and has appeared on every census since 1950. In 1959, it upgraded to a city.[17]
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,883 people, 10,640 households, and 8,724 families residing in the city. The population density was 869.7 inhabitants per square mile (335.8/km2). There were 11,419 housing units at an average density of 276.8 per square mile (106.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 63.27%White, 5.20%Black orAfrican American, 1.28%Native American, 1.89%Asian, 0.14%Pacific Islander, 24.32% fromother races, and 3.89% from two or more races. 46.23% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 10,640 households, out of which 47.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age. The average household size was 3.36 and the average family size was 3.66.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.2% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,153, and the median income for a family was $51,084. Males had a median income of $35,134 versus $27,487 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,919. About 10.3% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.
Top employers in Avondale as of 2023.[18]
| # | Employer | # of employees[18] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon | 1,030 |
| 2 | Maricopa County Community College District | 830 |
| 3 | City of Avondale | 770 |
| 4 | Tolleson Union High School District | 560 |
| 5 | Fry's Food and Drug | 470 |
| 6 | Avondale Elementary School District | 460 |
| 7 | Akos | 400 |
| 8 | Costco Wholesale | 390 |
| 9 | Littleton Elementary School District | 380 |
| 10 | Walmart | 370 |
Avondale is home toPhoenix Raceway. Since 2020, Phoenix Raceway has served as host of the annualNASCAR championship race, each November. It holds twoNASCAR Cup Series races, twoXfinity Series races, aNASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series race, anARCA Menards Series race, and anARCA Menards Series West race annually.
Avondale Parks and Recreation Department offers sports for both youth and adults.[19]
City parks:
Avondale falls within Arizona's 7th Congressional District, which has no currentRepresentative due to the death ofRaul Grijalva.[21] In the state legislature, Avondale falls under theArizona's 22nd State Legislative District, served byRepresentativesLorenzo Sierra andDiego Espinoza andSenatorLupe Contreras, allDemocrats.
Avondale is served by theLittleton Elementary School District, theAvondale Elementary School District, theAgua Fria Union High School District andTolleson Union High School District.Within city boundaries are four public high schools—Agua Fria High School,La Joya Community High School,Westview High School andWest Point High School.
Avondale also has several charter schools. Legacy Traditional School andImagine Schools for elementary and middle school education, andEstrella High School andSt. John Paul II Catholic High School for high school.[30]
Estrella Mountain Community College, established in 1992, is located in the city.Rio Salado College, a part of theMaricopa County Community College District, has a satellite building in Avondale.Universal Technical Institute andEmpire Beauty Schools also have campuses in Avondale.[31]
Avondale is served byValley Metro Bus.[32] Avondale is also served by local routes 3 (Van Buren Street, 17 (McDowell Road), 41 (Indian School Road, express route 563 to Downtown Phoenix, and rural route 685 connectingAjo and Phoenix. The Avondale Zoom service was discontinued and replaced with WeRIDE Microtransit Services.[33]
The public hospital system,Valleywise Health (formerly Maricopa Integrated Health System), operates Valleywise Community Health Center – Avondale. Its sole hospital, Valleywise Health Medical Center, is in Phoenix.[34]
Phoenix Children's Hospital has satellite facilities (Emergency Department - Avondale, and Sports Medicine PT - Avondale), at the corner of Avondale Boulevard and McDowell Road, and Avondale Boulevard and I-10 respectively.
Municipalities and communities ofMaricopa County, Arizona,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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