Tempe, AZ

Tempe, Arizona, located in the southeast portion of the Greater Phoenix area, was named after the Vale of Tempe in ancient Greece. Thanks to irrigation efforts, the desert landscape was transformed to a thriving agricultural area in the late 1800s. Today Arizona State University and tourism help the city thrive. The population estimate is around 174,000.

Tempe is completely landlocked by the mountains that surround it. Except for a few buttes, the city is flat. Any growth to the city occurs vertically, through the building of taller structures.

Tempe is located in the Sonoran Desert, which experiences low humidity and high temperatures in the summer. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 100 degrees. Winter months are mild, with average temperatures in the 60s. The wettest month of the year is usually August, with an average rainfall of 1.2 inches. The Sonoran Desert is the greenest desert in the United States because it receives six to eight inches of rain per year.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Tempe has a quite stable economy, featuring a manufacturing base of over 750 firms, a 'Tech Oasis' of more than 200 high-tech companies, and other growing industries including bio-technology, financial, and business services. Two Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the city, U.S. Airways and Insight Enterprises.

The biggest employer in Tempe is Arizona State University. Major private sector employers include J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, Motorola and State Farm Insurance.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Most of the population in Tempe is urban. Neighborhoods and districts of Tempe accommodate around 67,000 houses, out of which more than 63,500 are occupied. Of the occupied houses, more than 32,300 are owner-occupied while renters occupy around 31,000 houses. On average, a house in Tempe costs significantly more than the statewide median home value. People in Tempe live very close to each other. The neighborhoods of Tempe have a housing density of around 1670 houses or condos per square mile.

The walkability of Tempe is very good. Many places, such as coffee shops, grocery stores, schools and drug stores are within a mile's distance from the center of the city.

There are 70 different neighborhoods associations within Tempe's city limits.

Some of the city's more popular areas include:

• The ASU campus is conveniently located near shopping, dining and entertainment, and offers beautiful parks, uninterrupted trails and plenty of open space. The campus features midcentury modern and contemporary modern architecture, including landmark structures by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ed Varney and Antoine Predock. Recurring themes are red brick, courtyards, textile blocks, precast concrete, steel and glass.
• The Mill Avenue District is Tempe's most vibrant shopping and entertainment area, with more than 100 shops and restaurants and many special events annually. As the commercial center of the city, the Mill Avenue area is home to many enterprises - from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies - that combine to employ more than 20,000 people.

SHOPPING

• Mill Avenue offers restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and entertainment. Many festivals are held on Mill Avenue, during which the surrounding streets may be closed to vehicles.
• Tempe is home to Arizona Mills, the state's largest shopping mall.
• Tempe Marketplace is the largest outdoor retail center in Arizona.

EDUCATION

• Arizona State University was founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School. It is located in the middle of Tempe and has grown into one of the largest public universities in the United States.
• The administrative offices for the Maricopa County Community College District are in Tempe.

BEST BETS

• Tempe Town Lake is an artificial lake created by surrounding the riverbed of the Salt River with dams. Part of the Tempe Town Lake, the Tempe Town Beach Park, includes a splash park for children, an amphitheater for concerts, and various boating opportunities. The lake is regularly stocked with fish for fishing, although a permit is required to toss out a line.
• The ASU Karsten Golf Course is a popular public golf course. The least expensive time to play golf in Tempe is during the summer.

FOR VISITORS

• The Arboretum at ASU is Arizona's largest public urban arboretum. The collection includes palms, desert trees, cacti, succulents, and specialty gardens.
• Arizona Historical Foundation is a repository of historical documents and primary source materials located on the ASU campus.
• The Arizona Historical Society Museum is Arizona's oldest historical agency. Founded in 1864, it collects and preserves information and artifacts about the history of Arizona, the West in general, and northern Mexico.
• Located on the ASU campus, the ASU Art Museum was named "the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona" by Art in America magazine. Founded in 1950, it has continued to provide diverse art exhibits and innovative educational programs.
• Included in the National Register of Historic Places, Petersen House Museum is the original home of one of Tempe's pioneer farmers.
• The Tempe Historical Museum depicts the story of Tempe from prehistoric to modern times.

EVENTS

• The Fiesta Bowl Block Party on New Year's Eve is an annual tradition that continued even after the Fiesta Bowl was moved to Glendale, Arizona.
• P. F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon are held each January.
• The Tempe Festival of the Arts, held each fall and spring, is ranked one of the top 20 art festivals in the country.
• The Ironman, held in November, is an athletic competition that consists of swimming, biking, and running events.

SPORTS TEAMS

• Tempe doesn't have any major professional sports teams but supports the professional teams based in nearby Phoenix, Arizona.
• Some Major League Baseball teams play spring training games at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
• Many of the Arizona State University Sun Devils sports teams are nationally ranked.
• Tempe's Sun Devil Stadium hosts NCAA college football's Insight Bowl. From 1971 until 2006, the venue hosted the Fiesta Bowl, a member of the Bowl Championship Series.

GETTING AROUND

• Freeways 10, 51, 101, and 202 intersect through the city and make up a major transportation system.
• Valley Metro operates local bus routes and a light rail system.
• Free shuttles are available near Arizona State University.
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is located just two miles outside of Tempe.