Mesa is located in Maricopa County in the U.S. State of Arizona. It is the largest city in the East Valley area of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It borders Tempe to the west, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community to the north, Chandler and Gilbert to the south, Queen Creek to the east, and Apache Junction in the middle.
Mesa is the U.S.’s largest city in terms of population, without a significant downtown. It is second in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson. It is also the 37th largest U.S. city and the largest non-county seat. According to the Census Bureau, 504,258 people live in the city as of 2020. This makes it more populous than Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Miami. Mesa is often called “America’s most conservative place.”
The city had 439,041 residents, 146,643 households, and 99,863 families as of 2010. The population density was 3,171.3 per square mile (1.224.4/km2). The average density of 175,701 housing units was 1,405.7/square miles (542.8/km2).
The city’s racial makeup was 81.6% white, 2.4% Black or African American, and 2.2% Native American. 2.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander and 9.3% from other races. 1.3% of the population came from two or more races. 24.0% of the city’s population was Hispanic or Latino.
There were 146 643 households. 33.4% of these households had children under 18 years of age, 52.7% had married couples living together, 10.6% had female householders with no husband, and 31.9% were not families. 23.2% of all households consisted of individuals, and 9.1% were composed of someone 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.68, and the average family size 3.20.
History
Mesa’s history dates back to at least 2,000 years before the arrival of the Hohokam. The Hohokam built the original canal system, whose name means “All Used Up” and “The Departed Ones.” These canals were the most advanced and extensive in the prehistoric New World. The community was laid out on a grid with 130-foot (40-meter) wide streets. It became the center of an agricultural and fruit-growing area created from the Salt River reclamation project. After World War II, it had experienced rapid growth and expanded its farm economy to include tourism, manufacturing, and retail trade. Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community can be found across the river to the north. It is home to the University of Arizona’s Agricultural Experimental Station, a Mormon Temple (1927), Mesa Community College (1965), as well as the Mesa Community College (1965). There is a spring training camp for the Chicago Cubs. The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, formerly known as Williams Gateway Airport, opened commercial air service in 2007. It is located on the site of the former Williams Air Force Base. This airport provides Phoenix with its second commercial aviation facility.
Hike in Usery Mountain Regional Park
The Sonoran Desert terrain surrounding Mesa is a vast area of hiking opportunities. However, those knowledgeable about the subject flock year-round at Usery Mountain Regional Park to get their chance to explore the Wind Cave Trail.
Usery is a popular Arizona park and shares a border with Tonto National Forest, attracting approximately 5.8 million people annually. The 3,500-acre park’s central point is the trail, which offers breathtaking views of downtown Phoenix and the surrounding area. The 1.5-mile climb is characterized by giant boulders that serve as platforms and rest stops. The switchbacks make it easier for hikers to reach the top.
Visitors will find hanging rock daisies in the wind cave. They can also enjoy a shaded respite after making their way back to the bottom.
The park offers a variety of activities, including stargazing, fitness hikes, scorpion hunts, and toddler cruises. The Nature Center provides maps of 29 miles of trails that can be used for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking within the park. Before you explore the park, educated volunteers will be available to answer your questions and give advice. You can find snacks, cold beverages, souvenirs, as well as outdoor necessities such sunscreen, hats, water bottles, and other essentials inside.
In case you are looking for a great place to go hiking in the Phoenix area, consider Usery Mountain Regional Park. There is plenty for everyone at this park with trails that range from easy to difficult. Make sure to bring along plenty of water and snacks, as well as sunscreen and a hat, in case you plan on being out all day. And don’t forget your camera – the views from Usery Mountain are spectacular!
