Mesa is a city in Maricopa County, in the U.S. state of Arizona, located at the central part of the state. It is the third-largest city in the state of Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson, and the 38th-largest city in the US.
Mesa, Arizona Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Mesa |
| County | Maricopa County |
| State | Arizona |
| State Capital | Phoenix |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 33.4152° N |
| Longitude | 111.8315° W |
| Elevation | 1,243 ft (379 m) |
| Land Area | 138.9 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.5 sq mi |
| Total Area | 139.4 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 504,258 |
| Population Density | Approximately 3,630 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 85201, 85202, 85203, 85204, 85205, 85206, 85207, 85208, 85209, 85210, 85212, 85213, 85215, 85216 |
| Area Code | 480 |
| Time Zone Standard | Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 04-46000 |
| Congressional District | Arizona 5th Congressional District |
Location and Surroundings
Mesa is located in eastern Maricopa County within the Phoenix metropolitan area of central Arizona. It lies between Tempe to the west and Apache Junction to the east, with Gilbert directly to the south. The city is known for its desert scenery, cultural attractions, aerospace industry, and status as one of the largest cities in Arizona.
Nearby Cities to Mesa, Arizona
- Tempe, Arizona - 8 mi West
- Gilbert, Arizona - 7 mi South
- Chandler, Arizona - 9 mi South
- Scottsdale, Arizona - 12 mi Northwest
- Apache Junction, Arizona - 15 mi East
- Phoenix, Arizona - 19 mi West
- Queen Creek, Arizona - 22 mi Southeast
- Fountain Hills, Arizona - 20 mi Northeast
- Goodyear, Arizona - 37 mi West
- Casa Grande, Arizona - 49 mi South
Mesa, Arizona Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67 | 41 | 1.0 |
| April | 86 | 57 | 0.2 |
| July | 106 | 82 | 1.0 |
| October | 92 | 64 | 0.6 |
| Annual | 88 | 61 | 9.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Hot Desert (BWh) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 9 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | More than 300 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very low |
| Snowfall | Rare |
Driving Distances from Mesa, Arizona
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert | Arizona | 7 | 15 min |
| Tempe | Arizona | 8 | 15 min |
| Chandler | Arizona | 9 | 15 min |
| Scottsdale | Arizona | 12 | 20 min |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 19 | 25 min |
| Apache Junction | Arizona | 15 | 20 min |
| Queen Creek | Arizona | 22 | 30 min |
| Fountain Hills | Arizona | 20 | 30 min |
| Casa Grande | Arizona | 49 | 50 min |
| Tucson | Arizona | 116 | 1 hr 50 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Mesa, Arizona
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport |
| IATA Code | AZA |
| Port | Not Applicable |
| Major Highways | US 60, Loop 101, Loop 202, SR 24, SR 87 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No direct passenger rail service |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Valley Metro Bus and Light Rail |
- US Route 60 - Major east-west corridor linking Mesa with Phoenix and eastern Arizona.
- Loop 101 - Connects Mesa with Scottsdale, Tempe, and western suburbs.
- Loop 202 - Provides access throughout the East Valley region.
- State Route 24 - Connects southeastern Mesa with developing communities.
- State Route 87 - Links Mesa with northern Arizona destinations.
- Main Street - Historic transportation and commercial corridor through downtown Mesa.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Mesa, Arizona
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Arizona Museum of Natural History | Museum |
| Mesa Arts Center | Performing Arts Venue |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park | Regional Park |
| Golfland Sunsplash | Amusement Park |
| Mesa Temple Visitors' Center | Religious Landmark |
| Mesa Historical Museum | Museum |
| Riverview Park | Park |
| Commemorative Air Force Museum | Aviation Museum |
| Dobson Ranch Golf Course | Recreation Facility |
| Superstition Mountains | Natural Attraction |
Waterbodies in Mesa, Arizona
Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Usery Wash, Consolidated Canal, Eastern Canal, Tempe Town Lake, Granite Reef Reservoir, Roosevelt Lake
Golf Courses in Mesa, Arizona
Dobson Ranch Golf Course, Longbow Golf Club, Las Sendas Golf Club, Red Mountain Ranch Country Club, Alta Mesa Golf Club, Painted Mountain Golf Resort, Augusta Ranch Golf Club, Apache Wells Country Club, Superstition Springs Golf Club, Royal Palms Golf Course
Economy and Major Employers in Mesa, Arizona
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Banner Health | Major regional healthcare provider. |
| Aerospace | Boeing | Important manufacturing and engineering employer. |
| Education | Mesa Public Schools | Largest school district in Arizona. |
| Government | City of Mesa | Major public-sector employer. |
| Healthcare | Dignity Health | Operates major medical facilities. |
| Technology | Technology and Business Services | Growing employment sector. |
| Retail | Regional Shopping Centers | Supports the local economy. |
| Tourism | Hospitality and Recreation | Benefits from regional attractions. |
Colleges and Schools in Mesa, Arizona
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Community College | Public | Community College | Largest community college in Arizona |
| Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus | Public | University | Technology and aviation programs |
| A.T. Still University | Private | University | Health sciences education |
| Benedictine University at Mesa | Private | University | Liberal arts and health programs |
| Mesa Public Schools | Public | K-12 District | Largest district in Arizona |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Public | Career and Technical Education | Workforce training |
Mesa, Arizona - Key Historical Facts
- Mesa was founded in 1878 by Mormon settlers who established farming communities along ancient Hohokam canal systems.
- The city was incorporated in 1883, making it one of Arizona's oldest incorporated municipalities.
- Early growth was driven by agriculture, particularly citrus, cotton, and dairy farming.
- The construction of modern irrigation systems helped transform the surrounding desert into productive farmland.
- After World War II, Mesa experienced rapid suburban growth as the Phoenix metropolitan area expanded.
- Today, Mesa is Arizona's third-largest city and a major center for education, healthcare, aerospace, and tourism.
Sources
- Official City of Mesa Website
- Official Maricopa County Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
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