Climate

Tucson, founded in 1775 to protect settlers from Apache raids, stands at an elevation of 2,389 feet and is surrounded by five mountain ranges. The highest, the Santa Catalinas, rise as high as 9,100 feet. Desert growth contains many trees and colorful cacti which bloom between March and June. Warm, sunny and dry most of the year, this is one of the few areas of the United States untroubled by hurricanes, earthquakes or tornadoes.

Population

Presently, Tucson has a population of 496,575. Pima County’s population is about 825,000.

Taxes

A state sales tax of 5.6% and a City of Tucson tax of 2% on retail sales exempts non-restaurant foods and prescription drugs. In 2000, Arizona income tax ranged from 2.9 to 5.0% based on income after exemptions.  See Arizona Dept. of Revenuefor forms and tax information.

http://www.revenue.state.az.us/

Health Care

Serving Tucson and Pima County, there are many HMOs and Urgent Care facilities, over 2000 physicians and dentists, and 11 hospitals with 2200 beds including the University Medical Center in Tucson. Researchers at the University Cancer Research Center and the University Health Sciences Center have produced many breakthroughs in treatment and prevention of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy and osteoporosis.

Fun Things To Do

Tucson has 11 recreation centers, 4 lakes, 23 municipal swimming pools, 96 parks, 28 golf courses, 306 tennis facilities and 11 bowling alleys.

College sports include University of Arizona’s PAC-10 and NCAA teams. Professional sports include baseball: Tucson Sidewinders AAA farm team, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox Spring Training Camp. Tucson also hosts the Pima County Polo Club, horse racing, greyhound racing, Tournament Players Association, tennis clubs, rodeo and Ladies Professional Golf Association.

Cultural attractions include the Tucson Symphony, Arizona Opera Company, Tucson Ballet Company, Tucson’s Boys Chorus, Tucson Museum of Art, Arizona Historical Society Museum, the Arizona Theatre Company and many smaller theatre companies. The University of Arizona, Pima College and the Tucson Convention Center have concerts and events featuring well-known performers. The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum and the Tucson Zoo are great for kids.  The University of Arizona has several specialized museums and a world famous planetarium for astronomy lovers.

Check out our Tucson Links!