Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located six miles north of Tucson, Arizona, USA in Pima County. As of 2005, Oro Valley had a population of 39,335, an increase from 29,700 in 2000 according to the U.S. Census. Oro Valley was the fifth fastest-growing place among all cities and towns in Arizona of any size from 1990 and 2000.[1] The town is located approximately 110 miles southeast of the state capital of Phoenix. Oro Valley is one of 18 towns, cities, and census-designated places in Arizona with a per capita income over $30,000 USD, and one of 12 with a median household income over $60,000 USD.

Oro Valley is situated in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains at the base of Pusch Ridge. Immediately to the north of the town are the Tortolita Mountains, and vistas of the Tucson valley to the south. Oro Valley hosts a large number of residents from around the U.S. who maintain second or winter homes in the town.

The town hosted the 2006 Pac-10 Women's Golf Championships at the Oro Valley Country Club. Oro Valley Country Club was also the site for the 2006 Girl's Junior America's Cup, a major amateur golf tournament for the Western U.S. Other annual events in Oro Valley include the El Tour de Tucson bicycle race, the Tucson Marathon, the Cactus Speed Classic for inline skaters, and the Arizona Distance Classic.

Nick Jr. Family Magazine rated Oro Valley as one of the "Ten Most Playful Towns in America" in 2004. The magazine used criteria such as schools performing in the top third of their states, favorable student-teacher ratios, general safety, library programs, and access to arts and recreation activities. Also, in 2005 Oro Valley was named one of "America's Top-Rated Smaller Cities" in the publication by Grey House Publishing. The publication specifically noted the excellence of Oro Valley's schools, medical facilities, and golf courses.

Through the 1980s and particularly in the 1990s Oro Valley experienced significant residential and commercial growth. In 1990 the town had a population of 6,670, and by 2000 that figure had increased to 29,700 residents. During that time, residential communities of all housing-unit densities were developed in the town, including several master-planned communities. For several years in the 1990s Oro Valley was the fastest growing municipality in Arizona.

Oro Valley has attempted to strike a balance between population growth and environmental preservation. The town has attracted a number of country clubs, golf courses, and resorts, helping to solidify its reputation as one of the Southwest's most affluent communities, with one of the highest median household incomes in the region.

Oro Valley presently encompasses approximately 34 square miles (2005), featuring an expanding public parks system, notable outdoor amenities, upscale retailing ventures, and one of the statistically highest performing public school systems in Arizona.

Major parks in Oro Valley include the oldest, James D. Kriegh Park (formerly Dennis Weaver Park) with an olympic-sized swimming pool, recreational fields, and racquetball courts. The Ca?ada del Oro Riverfront Park features tennis and basketball courts, recreational fields, walking trails, and connections to equestrian trails along the Ca?ada del Oro. West Lambert Lane Park in Ca?ada Hills is a nature park with a number of hiking trails.

The Naranja Town Site is also in the planning phase, and will ultimately be the largest recreational park in Southern Arizona. The site plans include a performing arts center, aquatics center, recreational fields, tennis and basketball courts, and a skate park.

Catalina State Park and the Coronado National Forest in the Santa Catalina Mountains form the eastern boundary of Oro Valley.

La Cholla Airpark, a private airport community, is also located in northwestern Oro Valley. La Cholla Airpark was founded in 1972 and includes nearly 100 residential estates. A 4,500 foot air strip is situated at the center of the community for member use.

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 29,700 people, 12,249 households, and 9,382 families residing in the town. The population density was 360.3/km? (933.1/mi?). There were 13,946 housing units at an average density of 169.2/km? (438.2/mi?). The racial makeup of the town was 93.10% White, 1.06% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.92% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.83% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 7.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,249 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.8% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $61,037, and the median income for a family was $67,563. Males had a median income of $55,522 versus $31,517 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,134. 3.1% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.


Golf and resorts-

The economy of Oro Valley is also fueled by the resort industry. Oro Valley features several resorts and amenities:

Oro Valley Country Club (established 1959)
Hilton El Conquistador Resort & Pusch Ridge Golf Course (established 1982)
Hilton El Conquistador Country Club in Ca?ada Hills
The Golf Club at Vistoso
The Stone Canyon Golf Club (established 1999)
Sun City Vistoso Golf Club (established 1987)
WorldMark Rancho Vistoso Resort
A new resort planned for Stone Canyon

Public schools in Oro Valley are administered by Amphitheater Public Schools of Tucson. Oro Valley is served by four elementary schools, two K-8 schools, one middle school, and two high schools (Canyon del Oro High School and Ironwood Ridge High School).

Oro Valley also has three private schools, two of which include high schools (Pusch Ridge Christian Academy and Immaculate Heart Preparatory School.)