Mesa Arizona is a vibrant, family-oriented, business-friendly, community-based, and faith-centered city. These are the foundations that support Mesa’s rich heritage, multiculturalism, and upon which the city’s measured and thoughtful growth have been built throughout it’s history. These foundations are also what have driven Mesa to be largest suburb of Phoenix, Arizona with a population of approximately 519,133 residents (see table at bottom). Enjoy the following facts about Mesa, Arizona:
- Historical Significance: Mesa was originally inhabited by the Native American community known as the Hohokam, who were renowned for constructing the original canal system that spans over 125 miles. This prehistoric feat of engineering allowed them to farm the arid desert landscape.
- Aviation Hub: Falcon Field Airport in Mesa was originally built as a training field for British Royal Air Force pilots during World War II. Today, it serves as a bustling general aviation airport and is a significant part of Mesa’s economy.
- Cultural Institutions: Mesa is home to the Mesa Arts Center, one of the largest arts and entertainment parks in the Southwest. The facility spans 7 acres and includes theaters, art galleries, and studios, offering a wide variety of performances and exhibitions.
- Educational Institutions: Mesa is not only a hub of historical and cultural activity but also an educational center. It hosts one of the largest community colleges in the U.S., Mesa Community College, which has over 22,000 students enrolled.
- Economic Development: Mesa’s economy has diversified from its agricultural roots to include industries like healthcare, aerospace, and tourism. Companies such as Boeing have large facilities in Mesa, significantly contributing to local employment.
- Archaeological Sites: Mesa is also home to the Mesa Grande Cultural Park, which preserves a large, ancient Hohokam ceremonial mound. Located near Rio Salado Pwky and Country Club Drive, this unique park offers insights into the social and religious practices of the early inhabitants.
- Recreational Areas: Usery Mountain Regional Park is another great park in Mesa. It is massive and offers over 3,500 acres of desert, where visitors can hike, mountain bike, enjoy archery, and much more. Usery Park is home to the Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club, an Arizona Game and Fish shooters’ range. It’s also home to the Wind Cave Trail, offering a challenge for trailblazers and rewarding them with its beautiful views and diverse wildlife.
- Sports and Leisure: As the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs, Sloan Park is also known as “Wrigleyville West” and draws in thousands of baseball fans each spring. The facility is one of the newest and most state-of-the-art training facilities in Major League Baseball.
- Public Art: Mesa has many of public art installations throughout the city. This includes sculptures, murals, and functional art, such as artistically designed benches and utility boxes, enhancing the city’s aesthetic and cultural appeal.
Mesa’s impressive population size is in spite of the fact that Mesa is not the largest Phoenix suburb by area. Mesa’s land area is large at about 138 square miles (Wikipedia), but it’s only 25% of the land area of the city of Buckeye. Here are some interesting size comparisons four major suburbs in the Phoenix area:
| City | Population (Approx.) | Land Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Mesa | 519,133 | 138 |
| Scottsdale | 244,234 | 184.5 |
| Glendale | 255,368 | 64.68 |
| Buckeye | 105,567 | 393.2 |