Glendale, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Glendale
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Downtown Glendale
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Location in Maricopa County, Arizona
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 Glendale
Location in Arizona
Glendale
Location in the United States
Glendale
Location in North America
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Arizona | ||
| County | Maricopa | ||
| Founded by | William John Murphy | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 65.09 sq mi (168.59 km2) | ||
| • Land | 64.68 sq mi (167.53 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.41 sq mi (1.06 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 1,152 ft (351 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 248,325 | ||
| • Rank | US: 89th | ||
| • Density | 3,839.17/sq mi (1,482.30/km2) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Glendalian | ||
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST (no DST)) | ||
| ZIP code |
85301-85312 & 85318
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| Area codes | 602, 480, 623 | ||
| FIPS code | 04-27820 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 5060 | ||
Glendale is a city in Arizona, USA. It's about nine miles northwest of Phoenix, the state capital. Glendale is famous for State Farm Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals football team plays. It also has the Arrowhead Towne Center shopping mall. In 2020, about 248,325 people lived in Glendale.
Contents
History of Glendale
In the late 1800s, the land where Glendale now stands was mostly desert. William John Murphy, from New York, was in charge of building the Arizona Canal. This canal was 40 miles (64 km) long. It brought water from Granite Reef to New River. The canal was finished in 1885. It helped bring water to the dry desert land.
Murphy was in debt because he was paid with company stock and land instead of cash. In 1887, he started the Arizona Improvement Company. His goal was to sell the land and water rights south of the canal. Murphy called this land "Glendale." To attract people, he built an 18-mile (29 km) road. This road, called Grand Avenue, connected Phoenix to Glendale and then to Peoria.
In 1891, Burgess Hadsell worked with Murphy. They brought 70 families to Glendale. These families wanted to create a community that did not allow alcohol. Many settlers came because of this rule. In 1895, Murphy planned the town. He included a town park and business areas. A railroad was built from Prescott to Phoenix. This railroad helped Glendale settlers transport goods. It also made it easy to get building materials.
The building of the Beet Sugar Factory in 1906 helped Glendale grow. The factory only operated until 1913. But it brought many new settlers to the city. Other businesses started around this time. These included Glendale Ice Company and Pacific Creamery Company.
Glendale During World Wars
World War I brought good times for Glendale. Cotton prices went up a lot. Cotton is still important to Glendale's economy. Many farms are still along Loop 101. Farmers also grew other crops because there was a high demand for food. Many farms and orchards grew well in the early 1900s.
World War II led to the creation of Thunderbird Field No. 1. This field trained civilian pilots for the Army. In 1940, some Hollywood actors helped start a flight training school. They chose Thunderbird Field because it had lots of space and good weather. In 1941, a larger base called Luke Field was built nearby. It is now Luke Air Force Base. Thunderbird Field later became the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Modern Growth and Tourism
After the wars, Glendale's population grew a lot. It almost doubled between 1950 and 1960. This growth meant the city needed more services. They built utilities, parks, schools, and streets. Over 40 years, the city added a landfill, water plants, libraries, and a city hall.
Arrowhead Towne Center opened in 1993. The area around it, Arrowhead Ranch, became popular for homes and shopping. The completion of Loop 101 helped connect Glendale to the rest of the Valley.
Recently, Glendale has invested a lot in tourism. The Westgate Entertainment District was built in the early 2000s. It includes Desert Diamond Arena and State Farm Stadium. These places made Glendale a popular spot for visitors. New projects like the VAI Resort and Mattel Adventure Park are planned for 2025. They will bring more jobs and hotel rooms to the city.
Glendale's Geography and Climate
Glendale covers about 65.1 square miles (168.6 km2). A small part, about 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), is water. The New River and Agua Fria River flow through the western parts of the city.
Glendale's Climate
Glendale has a desert climate. This means it has very hot and dry summers. The winters are mild.
| Climate data for Phoenix Int'l, Arizona (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1895–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 88 (31) |
92 (33) |
100 (38) |
105 (41) |
114 (46) |
122 (50) |
121 (49) |
117 (47) |
116 (47) |
107 (42) |
96 (36) |
87 (31) |
122 (50) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 78.7 (25.9) |
82.8 (28.2) |
90.0 (32.2) |
98.6 (37.0) |
105.9 (41.1) |
112.5 (44.7) |
114.4 (45.8) |
112.5 (44.7) |
108.6 (42.6) |
100.1 (37.8) |
88.1 (31.2) |
77.1 (25.1) |
115.2 (46.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 67.2 (19.6) |
70.7 (21.5) |
76.9 (24.9) |
85.2 (29.6) |
94.8 (34.9) |
103.9 (39.9) |
106.1 (41.2) |
104.4 (40.2) |
99.8 (37.7) |
88.5 (31.4) |
75.5 (24.2) |
66.0 (18.9) |
86.6 (30.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 56.4 (13.6) |
59.7 (15.4) |
65.2 (18.4) |
72.7 (22.6) |
82.1 (27.8) |
90.8 (32.7) |
94.8 (34.9) |
93.6 (34.2) |
88.4 (31.3) |
76.7 (24.8) |
64.1 (17.8) |
55.4 (13.0) |
75.1 (23.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 45.6 (7.6) |
48.7 (9.3) |
53.5 (11.9) |
60.2 (15.7) |
69.4 (20.8) |
77.7 (25.4) |
83.5 (28.6) |
82.7 (28.2) |
76.9 (24.9) |
64.8 (18.2) |
52.7 (11.5) |
44.8 (7.1) |
63.4 (17.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 36.2 (2.3) |
39.4 (4.1) |
43.2 (6.2) |
49.5 (9.7) |
58.0 (14.4) |
68.4 (20.2) |
73.7 (23.2) |
73.7 (23.2) |
67.1 (19.5) |
53.6 (12.0) |
40.8 (4.9) |
34.6 (1.4) |
33.5 (0.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 16 (−9) |
24 (−4) |
25 (−4) |
35 (2) |
39 (4) |
49 (9) |
63 (17) |
58 (14) |
47 (8) |
34 (1) |
27 (−3) |
22 (−6) |
16 (−9) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.91 (23) |
0.92 (23) |
0.99 (25) |
0.28 (7.1) |
0.11 (2.8) |
0.02 (0.51) |
1.05 (27) |
1.00 (25) |
0.64 (16) |
0.58 (15) |
0.65 (17) |
0.88 (22) |
8.03 (204) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.1 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 36.6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 50.9 | 44.4 | 39.3 | 27.8 | 21.9 | 19.4 | 31.6 | 36.2 | 35.6 | 36.9 | 43.8 | 51.8 | 36.6 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 256.0 | 257.2 | 318.4 | 353.6 | 401.0 | 407.8 | 378.5 | 360.8 | 328.6 | 308.9 | 256.0 | 244.8 | 3,871.6 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 81 | 84 | 86 | 90 | 93 | 95 | 86 | 87 | 89 | 88 | 82 | 79 | 87 |
| Source: NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990) , Weather.com | |||||||||||||
Population and Demographics
Glendale has grown a lot over the years. Here's how its population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 1,000 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,737 | 173.7% | |
| 1930 | 3,665 | 33.9% | |
| 1940 | 4,855 | 32.5% | |
| 1950 | 8,179 | 68.5% | |
| 1960 | 15,893 | 94.3% | |
| 1970 | 36,228 | 127.9% | |
| 1980 | 97,172 | 168.2% | |
| 1990 | 147,864 | 52.2% | |
| 2000 | 218,812 | 48.0% | |
| 2010 | 226,721 | 3.6% | |
| 2020 | 248,325 | 9.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
The 2020 census showed that Glendale had 248,325 people. The city is very diverse. Many different racial and ethnic groups live there.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 141,462 | 116,866 | 107,695 | 64.65% | 51.55% | 43.37% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 9,818 | 12,766 | 17,872 | 4.49% | 5.63% | 7.20% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 2,460 | 2,707 | 3,030 | 1.12% | 1.19% | 1.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 5,860 | 8,618 | 11,272 | 2.68% | 3.80% | 4.54% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 230 | 355 | 492 | 0.11% | 0.16% | 0.20% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 289 | 329 | 1,171 | 0.13% | 0.15% | 0.47% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 4,350 | 4,579 | 9,176 | 1.99% | 2.02% | 3.70% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 54,343 | 80,501 | 97,617 | 24.84% | 35.51% | 39.31% |
| Total | 218,812 | 226,721 | 248,325 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 Census Information
In 2010, Glendale had 226,710 people. There were 79,114 households. About 39.9% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.85 people. The median age in the city was 31 years. The median income for a household was $45,015. About 11.9% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Glendale's Economy
Glendale has many important employers. These businesses and organizations provide many jobs for the people living in the city.
Top Employers in Glendale
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Air Force Base | 5,100 |
| 2 | Banner Health | 3,000 |
| 3 | Arrowhead Towne Center | 2,650 |
| 4 | Walmart | 2,175 |
| 5 | Glendale Union High School District | 1,974 |
| 6 | Glendale Community College | 1,948 |
| 7 | The City of Glendale | 1,693 |
| 8 | Deer Valley Unified School District | 1,594 |
| 9 | Glendale Elementary School District | 1,400 |
| 10 | Tanger Outlets | 1,200 |
Source: AZCentral.com
Arts and Culture in Glendale
Glendale offers many fun things to do and see.
Popular Attractions
- Adobe Mountain Desert Park
- Cerreta Candy Co. factory tour
- Camelback Ranch
- Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden
- Desert Diamond Arena
- Glendale Chocolate Festival (every February)
- Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival
- Glendale Glitters (every December)
- Glendale Jazz and Blues Festival
- Manistee Ranch
- Mattel Adventure Park (opening 2024)
- Sahuaro Ranch
- State Farm Stadium
- Westgate Entertainment District
Shopping in Glendale
Glendale is well-known for its shops that sell antique items. The Arrowhead Towne Center mall is also located here.
Historic Places to Visit
You can find many historic places in Glendale. Some are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can also explore the Catlin Court Historic District.
Concerts and Events
Glendale is a popular spot for big concerts. For example, the city was temporarily renamed Swift City in March 2023. This was to celebrate the start of the Eras Tour by Taylor Swift at State Farm Stadium. Local restaurants even offered Swift-themed food. State Farm Stadium also hosted the Super Bowl LVII halftime show with Rihanna.
Sports in Glendale
Glendale has two major sports venues. These are State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena. Both are part of a plan to help the area grow. The City of Glendale owns both venues.
State Farm Stadium has been the home of the Arizona Cardinals football team since 2006. It also hosts the yearly Fiesta Bowl college football game. The stadium has hosted three Super Bowls. It has also hosted college football national championship games. The stadium is famous for its natural grass field that can roll out.
Desert Diamond Arena is next to State Farm Stadium. It used to be the home of the Arizona Coyotes hockey team. It also hosted the Arizona Sting lacrosse team. Today, the arena is home to the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. It also hosts the annual Street League Skateboarding event.
In 2009, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox baseball teams began sharing a spring training complex. This complex is called Camelback Ranch-Glendale. The City of Glendale owns and operates it.
Education in Glendale
Glendale has many options for higher education. Glendale Community College is part of the Maricopa County Community College District. Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management is also in Glendale. It focuses on international business education. Midwestern University is a graduate college for medicine.
Many school districts serve the city of Glendale.
School Districts Serving Glendale
- Unified school districts:
- Deer Valley Unified School District
- Dysart Unified School District
- Peoria Unified School District (its main office is in Glendale)
- High school districts:
- Glendale Union High School District
- Phoenix Union High School District
- Tolleson Union High School District
- Elementary school districts:
- Alhambra Elementary School District
- Glendale Elementary School District
- Pendergast Elementary School District
- Washington Elementary School District
There are also several private schools. Grace Lutheran School is a Christian school for Pre-K through 8th grade. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School is a Catholic school for Pre-K through 8th grade. Arrowhead Christian Academy is a K-12 Christian school. New Gains Academy is a Microschool for grades 5-12.
Transportation in Glendale
Most households in Glendale own a car. In 2016, about 9% of households did not have a car. On average, households in Glendale had 1.72 cars in 2016.
Glendale Municipal Airport serves the city. However, it does not offer flights for passengers. The closest airport for commercial flights is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is about 30 minutes away by car.
Major Highways in Glendale
Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway)
Loop 303 (Estrella Freeway)- Northern Parkway (Northern Freeway)
US-60 (Grand Avenue)
Famous People from Glendale
- Prince Amukamara, professional football player
- Eddie Bonine, professional baseball player
- Elijah Burke, professional wrestler
- Danny Cruz, professional soccer player
- Nick Evans, professional baseball player
- Trent Franks, former United States congressman
- Lauren Froderman, winner of So You Think You Can Dance (Season 7)
- Jennie Garth, actress
- Claire Kretzschmar, ballet dancer and choreographer
- Paul LoDuca, professional baseball player
- Craig Mabbitt, lead singer of band Escape the Fate
- Michael McDowell, NASCAR driver
- Evan Mecham, former Arizona governor
- Lou Novikoff, professional baseball player
- Jonathan Ornelas, baseball player
- Sterling Ridge, Arizona legislator
- Marty Robbins, Grammy-winning country musician and auto racer
- Nate Ruess, lead singer of Fun
- Tage Thompson, NHL player
- Rickson van Hees, American soccer player
- Jason Zumwalt, actor
Sister Cities
Glendale has two sister cities. These are cities that have a special partnership with Glendale.
– Ørland, Norway
– Memmingen, Germany
See also
In Spanish: Glendale (Arizona) para niños
