Northwest Valley Info
Aqua Fria, Arrowhead Ranch, ASU West, El Mirage, Glendale, Metrocenter, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Valley West Mall, Wickenburg
Glendale
Glendale, the state's fourth largest city, is located in the northwest
portion of Phoenix. It was founded in 1892 and is known for its wealth
of antique shopping.
Glendale, was founded northwest of Phoenix by conservative, community-minded farmers in 1892. Like other Valley cities, the face of Glendale has been changed by steady population growth and a shift from farming to manufacturing. Glendale has attracted numerous electronics plants, and its proximity to Luke Air Force Base has been even more beneficial to its economy.
As a result of a 52% growth rate between 1980 and 1990, Glendale was listed as the 14th fastest growing city in the U.S. for that period. Most of that growth has been in the northern part, home to the beautiful masterplanned communities of Arrowhead Ranch, Arrowhead Lakes, and new subdivisions popping all over going ever north.
Peoria
Peoria is a rapidly growing suburban community in the northwest portion
of the Valley of the Sun. Formerly an agricultural town, Peoria is
today a business and medical hub for the Northwest Valley area.
Peoria is bordered on the west by Sun City, on the east by Phoenix and Glendale, and on the north by Lake Pleasant. Peoria was incorporated in 1954.
Peoria started in the 1880s when several families from Peoria, Illinois, took up residence and began farming. The first post office in Peoria opened in 1888. Over the years, the number of farms increased and the town settled into a quiet rural lifestyle.
Peoria began to change in the 1960s when the retirement community of Sun City opened. From 1980 to 1990, the city experienced phenomenal growth with population increasing 300%. When Peoria was incorporated, it had about one square mile of land. Today Peoria encompasses 117 square miles.
A number of new commercial developments and major power centers have opened and more are under construction. Many of Peoria's residents commute to nearby jobs in northwest Phoenix. Honeywell Flight Systems has nearly 5,000 employees.
Communities in the Valley of the Sun:
West Valley, Southeast Valley, Phoenix, Northwest Valley, Sun Cities, Northeast Valley
