Paradise Valley, Arizona

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paradise Valley is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 14,558.^[1] Despite the town's relatively small area and population compared to other cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Paradise Valley is home to twelve resorts, making it one of Arizona's premiere tourist destinations. It has prime real estate, with a median home price at $1.5 million[1], with many exceeding $5 million and some over $15 million.

It should not be confused with the neighborhood in northeast Phoenix of the same name. For instance, Paradise Valley Community College, Paradise Valley High School, Paradise Valley Hospital, Paradise Valley Mall, and Paradise Valley Golf Course are all located several miles to the north, in Phoenix - a considerable distance from the town that actually bears their name.

Paradise Valley is often considered to be an extension of Scottsdale, another area with a wealthy reputation. 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 Paradise Valley's name, it operates in Phoenix.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Famous residents
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Paradise Valley is located at 33°32′41″N, 111°57′23″W (33.544596, -111.956451)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.1 km² (15.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 13,664 people, 5,034 households, and 4,163 families residing in the town. The population density was 340.4/km² (881.7/mi²). There were 5,499 housing units at an average density of 137.0/km² (354.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.60% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.02% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 2.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino 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 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 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.

[edit] Famous residents

Former United States Senator and 1964 Republican Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater died in Paradise Valley. A statue on Tatum Boulevard in the town commemorates him. Former World Wrestling Federation champion "Superstar" Billy Graham also lived here during his professional wrestling career. The 44th Vice President of the United States, Dan Quayle, is also a long time resident. In addition, singers Stevie Nicks and Alice Cooper, actor Leslie Nielsen, and former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor currently reside here. Former Major League Baseball player Mark Grace also lives here.

Adam Schwartz lived here once

Paradise Valley is also the likely home of more retired and active professional athletes than any city its size in the United States, including New York Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson.

Kathy Wade, a six-billionaire lives here with her husband, recording artist, Little Bobby Wade, who has recorded such hits as Ping Zing Club.