Casa Grande, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Casa Grande
O'odham: Wainom Wo:g
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Historic Casa Grande Union High School which now serves as the Casa Grande City Hall.
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Location of Casa Grande in Pinal County, Arizona.
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 Casa Grande, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Arizona | |
| County | Pinal | |
| Founded | 1879 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 112.01 sq mi (290.10 km2) | |
| • Land | 112.01 sq mi (290.10 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,381 ft (421 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 53,658 | |
| • Density | 479.06/sq mi (184.96/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST (no DST)) | |
| ZIP codes |
85122, 85194, 85130, 85193
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| Area code(s) | 520 | |
| FIPS code | 04-10530 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409401 | |
| Website | http://www.casagrandeaz.gov | |
Casa Grande is a city in Pinal County, Arizona. It's located about halfway between the big cities of Phoenix and Tucson. The name "Casa Grande" comes from Spanish and means "big house." This name was inspired by the nearby Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. As of 2020, about 53,658 people live in Casa Grande.
Contents
- Exploring the History of Casa Grande
- Understanding Casa Grande's Geography and Climate
- Who Lives in Casa Grande?
- What Drives the Economy of Casa Grande?
- Public Services in Casa Grande
- Famous People from Casa Grande
- Learning in Casa Grande: Schools and Colleges
- Getting Around Casa Grande: Transportation
- Images for kids
Exploring the History of Casa Grande
Casa Grande was founded in 1879. This happened during a time when many mines were opening in Arizona. The city grew because the Southern Pacific Railroad came through.
How Casa Grande Got Its Name
In January 1880, the first small community was called Terminus. This name meant "end-of-the-line." It only had five people and three buildings! Later in 1880, railroad leaders changed the name to Casa Grande. They named it after the ancient Hohokam ruins nearby.
Challenges and Growth in Early Years
Casa Grande grew slowly at first. It faced tough times in 1886 and 1893 when fires destroyed many wooden buildings. When mining slowed down in the 1890s, the town almost became empty. But then, farming became important, which helped the town survive and grow. Casa Grande officially became a city in 1915.
Important People and Places
One of the city's founders was Thompson Rodney Peart. Today, you can find Peart Road, Peart Park, and the Peart Center, all named after him. These are important spots in Casa Grande.
A Place for Baseball History
Casa Grande was once the spring training home for the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Their owner, Horace Stoneham, started building the Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort in 1959. The first game was played there in 1961. Even though the Giants don't train there anymore, the swimming pool is still shaped like a baseball bat and ball!
Baseball in Casa Grande
Casa Grande has a rich history in semi-pro and college baseball. The Casa Grande Cotton Kings team started in 1948. They won state championships many times in the 1940s and 1950s. This allowed them to play in the National Baseball Congress World Series ten times in a row! The team was brought back in the 2000s and now plays in the Pacific Southwest Baseball League.
Understanding Casa Grande's Geography and Climate
Casa Grande is located in the Sonoran Desert. It covers an area of about 112 square miles (290 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
What is the Weather Like in Casa Grande?
Casa Grande has a hot desert climate. This means it has very long, extremely hot summers. The winters are short, with mild days and cool nights. In the summer, the area often experiences dust storms. It also gets affected by the North American Monsoon, which brings strong winds and heavy rain.
| Climate data for Casa Grande, Arizona, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1908–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) |
93 (34) |
100 (38) |
106 (41) |
116 (47) |
123 (51) |
123 (51) |
120 (49) |
117 (47) |
111 (44) |
97 (36) |
89 (32) |
123 (51) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 78.8 (26.0) |
82.7 (28.2) |
90.8 (32.7) |
99.2 (37.3) |
106.8 (41.6) |
113.9 (45.5) |
114.8 (46.0) |
113.1 (45.1) |
108.9 (42.7) |
102.0 (38.9) |
89.9 (32.2) |
79.1 (26.2) |
116.1 (46.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 68.7 (20.4) |
72.6 (22.6) |
79.9 (26.6) |
87.5 (30.8) |
96.4 (35.8) |
105.8 (41.0) |
106.8 (41.6) |
105.3 (40.7) |
100.4 (38.0) |
90.7 (32.6) |
77.5 (25.3) |
67.6 (19.8) |
88.3 (31.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 53.9 (12.2) |
57.0 (13.9) |
63.6 (17.6) |
70.3 (21.3) |
78.4 (25.8) |
87.9 (31.1) |
92.5 (33.6) |
91.3 (32.9) |
85.5 (29.7) |
73.8 (23.2) |
61.4 (16.3) |
53.0 (11.7) |
72.4 (22.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 39.1 (3.9) |
41.5 (5.3) |
47.2 (8.4) |
53.0 (11.7) |
60.4 (15.8) |
69.9 (21.1) |
78.1 (25.6) |
77.3 (25.2) |
70.7 (21.5) |
56.9 (13.8) |
45.3 (7.4) |
38.4 (3.6) |
56.5 (13.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 26.1 (−3.3) |
29.0 (−1.7) |
33.6 (0.9) |
38.5 (3.6) |
46.5 (8.1) |
56.3 (13.5) |
66.5 (19.2) |
66.7 (19.3) |
56.6 (13.7) |
42.7 (5.9) |
29.1 (−1.6) |
25.7 (−3.5) |
23.0 (−5.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 8 (−13) |
11 (−12) |
21 (−6) |
25 (−4) |
32 (0) |
44 (7) |
51 (11) |
55 (13) |
37 (3) |
25 (−4) |
17 (−8) |
14 (−10) |
8 (−13) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.79 (20) |
1.00 (25) |
0.76 (19) |
0.21 (5.3) |
0.18 (4.6) |
0.18 (4.6) |
0.91 (23) |
1.52 (39) |
0.72 (18) |
0.48 (12) |
0.43 (11) |
0.73 (19) |
7.91 (201) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 3.5 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 31.4 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service | |||||||||||||
Who Lives in Casa Grande?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 33 | — | |
| 1890 | 328 | 893.9% | |
| 1920 | 948 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,351 | 42.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,545 | 14.4% | |
| 1950 | 4,181 | 170.6% | |
| 1960 | 8,311 | 98.8% | |
| 1970 | 10,536 | 26.8% | |
| 1980 | 14,971 | 42.1% | |
| 1990 | 19,076 | 27.4% | |
| 2000 | 25,224 | 32.2% | |
| 2010 | 48,571 | 92.6% | |
| 2020 | 53,658 | 10.5% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 60,032 | 23.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 48,571 people living in Casa Grande. The city had 22,400 households. About 37.1% of these households had children under 18. The average household had 2.80 people.
Population Breakdown by Age
The population of Casa Grande is spread out across different age groups.
- 30.9% of residents were under 18 years old.
- 9.3% were between 18 and 24.
- 26.4% were between 25 and 44.
- 19.6% were between 45 and 64.
- 13.8% were 65 years or older.
The average age in the city was 32 years old.
What Drives the Economy of Casa Grande?
Historically, Casa Grande's economy relied on farming. Cotton and dairy farms were very important. Over time, many people who work in Phoenix or Tucson have chosen to live in Casa Grande. They often travel to those bigger cities for their jobs. This has led to more restaurants, gas stations, and stores opening in Casa Grande.
Shopping and Business Growth
A large outdoor shopping mall, called The Promenade at Casa Grande, opened in 2007. It's built on 100 acres of land and has nearly a million square feet of stores. The city also spent money to improve the Florence Blvd./I-10 freeway overpass. A major dairy processing factory, Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy, opened in 2013. It employs about 110 people.
Top Employers in the City
Many different companies and organizations provide jobs in Casa Grande. Here are some of the biggest employers:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
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| 1 | Casa Grande Elementary School District | 957 |
| 2 | Walmart Distribution Center | 848 |
| 3 | Hexcel Corporation | 626 |
| 4 | Banner Casa Grande Medical Center | 625 |
| 5 | U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Casa Grande Station | 500 |
| 6 | Abbott Laboratories/Ross Products | 450 |
| 7 | City of Casa Grande | 433 |
| 8 | Tractor Supply Company Distribution Center | 322 |
| 9 | Casa Grande Union High School District | 318 |
| 10 | Frito-Lay, Inc. | 300 |
| 10 | Fry's Food and Drug | 300 |
Electric Car Manufacturing
In 2016, the Lucid Motors car company announced plans to build a large electric car factory in Casa Grande. This factory opened in November 2020. It is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.
Public Services in Casa Grande
Casa Grande offers several important public services to its residents.
Fire Department
The Casa Grande Fire Department (CGFD) protects the city from fires and provides emergency medical help. It operates from four fire stations and a main office. The CGFD serves over 60,000 people across 109.65 square miles. In recent years, the department has grown. It added 26 new members to offer ambulance services. It also added a full-time Ladder company with 12 new firefighters. A new fire station is planned to open in 2023.
Public Library
The Casa Grande Public Library provides books and other reading materials. It also offers special services. These include a volunteer reading club for elementary school kids. You can also find internet access and a "talking book" program. The main library is 16,000 square feet and has 75,000 books. It also has 38 public computers with internet access. A branch library, the Vista Grande Public Library, opened in 2009.
Famous People from Casa Grande
Many talented people have connections to Casa Grande:
- David Spade, actor and comedian
- Mike Candrea, a successful college softball coach and Olympic coach
- Eduardo C. Corral, an award-winning poet
- Pablo Francisco, a stand-up comedian
- Joe Jonas, a pop singer and actor
- Joy Oladokun, a singer-songwriter
- Michael Sullivan, a stonemason who built many stone structures in Casa Grande
Learning in Casa Grande: Schools and Colleges
Most of Casa Grande is part of the Casa Grande Elementary School District. The entire city is in the Casa Grande Union High School District.
Schools in Casa Grande
Here are some of the schools you can find in Casa Grande:
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Public Elementary Schools
Public Middle Schools
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Public High Schools
Charter High Schools
Charter Schools
Private Schools
Colleges
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Getting Around Casa Grande: Transportation
Several major highways serve Casa Grande, making it easy to travel to and from the city.
Highways and Roads
Interstate 8
Interstate 10
The proposed Interstate 11 would start in Casa Grande and go to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Arizona State Route 287
Arizona State Route 84
Arizona State Route 387
Public Transport and Airports
The Central Arizona Regional Transit (CART) system provides bus service. It connects Casa Grande with nearby towns like Florence and Coolidge. Greyhound buses also stop in Eloy, which is close to Casa Grande. For air travel, the closest major airports are Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Tucson International Airport. A shuttle service can take you to Sky Harbor.
Images for kids
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Historic Casa Grande Union High School which now serves as the Casa Grande City Hall.
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Flag of Casa Grande, Arizona.
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Location of Casa Grande in Pinal County, Arizona.
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The historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was built in 1925 and is located at 201 W. Main St.
