Florence, Arizona

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Town of Florence, Arizona
Early commercial buildings in Downtown Florence.
Early commercial buildings in Downtown Florence.
Location in Pinal County and the state of Arizona
Location in Pinal County and the state of Arizona
Coordinates: 33.030°2′32″N 111.390°23′4″W / 33.07222, -111.77444
Country United States
State Arizona
County Pinal
Government
 - Mayor Vicki Kilvinger, starting June 2008.
Area
 - Total 50.74 sq mi (21.5 km²)
 - Land 198 sq mi (512.8 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 1,490 ft (454 m)
Population (2005)[1]
 - Total 17,053
 - Density 2,054.6/sq mi (793.2/km²)
Time zone MST (no DST) (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 85232, 85228, 85279
Area code(s) 520
FIPS code 04-23760
GNIS feature ID 0004688
Website: http://www.town.florence.az.us/

Florence (O'odham: S-auppag) is a town in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The population was 17,054 at the 2000 census. According to county estimates, the population of the city was 24,476 as of July 1, 2007.[2] The city is the county seat of Pinal County[3].

The largest Arizona State Prison complex, the Florence complex, is located in the city, and its preserved Main Street and open desert scenery was the setting of the major motion picture Murphy's Romance.

There are a total of 9 prisons from the county, state, federal and two private prisons. There are 3 state prisons located in Florence.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²) in 2000, all land. According to the town, there are 50.5 sq mi incorporated with a total of 198 sq mi in the planning area. With the expected growth coming closer, the incorporated numbers should increase.

Pinal County Courthouse, Florence, 1938. Photo from Historic American Buildings Survey
Pinal County Courthouse, Florence, 1938. Photo from Historic American Buildings Survey

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 17,054 people, 2,226 households, and 1,540 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,056.2 people per square mile (794.3/km²). There were 3,216 housing units at an average density of 387.7/sq mi (149.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 57.12% White, 9.17% Black or African American, 4.42% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 26.79% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. 35.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,226 households out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town the population was spread out with 7.6% under the age of 18, 14.8% from 18 to 24, 50.1% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 482.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 582.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,372, and the median income for a family was $41,959. Males had a median income of $25,545 versus $28,279 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,278. About 6.1% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] World War II History

Just north of Florence during World War II was located a large prisoner of war camp for German and Italian prisoners of war, mainly captured during the North Africa campaign. The Pinal County Historical Museum on Main Street in Florence has a display and information on this period of Arizona history. For additional information, see [1]

[edit] Developments

Florence is the location of the 2nd Anthem development in the state of Arizona being built by Pulte and Del Webb. It is located six miles to the northwest of downtown historic Florence. There are about 20 other planned residential developments within the town limits. By 2015 it is theoretically possible, albeit somewhat unlikely, that 100,000 residents would live in Florence.

[edit] Points of interest

[edit] References

  1. ^ Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arizona (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21, 2006). Retrieved on November 14, 2006.
  2. ^ Population Estimates Pinal County Places July 1, 2000 through July 1, 2007 (PDF) (March 21, 2008).
  3. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links