Demographics

With approximately 170,000 residents today Tempe covers roughly forty square miles and the median age of the population is 28 – probably because of Arizona State University located within its city limits. Although mostly flat Tempe does have Hayden Butte that locals refer to as A-Mountain because of ASU’s “A” logo on its face.
It is the seventh largest city in Arizona and is very much a modern city with something to offer everyone and has prospered due to its center of education along with its commercial success with developments like the Mill Avenue District.

This city strives to attract businesses that will produce products needed today along with those that are promoting innovation to meet tomorrow’s needs. Tempe boasts over 3000 businesses related to insurance, finance and real estate development. The aerospace industry has over 1000 companies within its metropolitan area – both manufacturing and non-manufacturing – and biotechnology and high temp attract over 11000 workers at 300 technology based companies.

Some of the major companies based in Tempe or who have significant numbers of employees include: Arizona State University employs over 10,500; US Airways is based in Tempe and employs over 1100 people; Honeywell International South has 2200 employees; Medtronic Microelectronics Center has 1300 employees; Purple Rhino Imports has 2000 employees; and Conoco Phillips has 1500. These are just a few of the companies that make their home here.

With fifty hotels and motels providing over 5000 rooms and over 600 restaurants this city has much to offer a visitor or for a resident. With eleven television stations this city has a diverse population and offers much to a small business owner with ample retail and commercial space and wonderful shopping, nightlife and entertainment facilities with something for everyone. Two hospitals serve the immediate city along with other health care facilities at the university and elsewhere.

The Sun Devils of Arizona State University compete in the Pac-10 Conference of the NCAA and they have teams in football, baseball and basketball.  The city competes for the Duel in the Desert with the University of Arizona Wildcats in Tucson and they host the Insight Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve which is one of the country’s largest New Year’s celebrations. Tempe is also the host for the Los Angeles Angels for their spring training. With an annual Ironman marathon and a rock-n-roll version sponsored by PF Chang this city also has many collegiate sporting events to keep students and residents busy.

A Frank Lloyd Wright theatre called ASU Gammage offers Broadway plays and the ASU Art Museum provides contemporary art exhibits or the Tempe Festival of the Arts for those looking for cultural activities. There are many live musical performances offered in various venues and the Circle K Tempe Music Festival is an annual event that can be enjoyed. An independent film showing can be seen at the Harkins Valley Art theatre and there are often public art displays as well as other scheduled activities.

Tempe is a city that thinks big and has a lot to offer but also gives you a small town feel with its Tempe Town Lake or its Mill Avenue District that provide other forms of entertainment, activities and businesses that you can enjoy at any time. Tempe might be a college town but it’s also a progressive and fun city that offers a lot for those visiting or planning to move here.