In the greater metropolitan area surrounding Phoenix, Arizona, the second largest community is Mesa, a city of more than four hundred and fifty thousand. Mormon pioneers settled in Mesa, Arizona in 1878 and one-fourth of the local population is still made up of adherents of that religious persuasion. (In fact, the Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a beloved local favorite during the Christmas season when three quarters of a million twinkling lights adorn the building and more than fifty life-size figures depict the Biblical Nativity scene.)

Of the one hundred and fifty thousand households in Mesa, Arizona some fifty-three percent are occupied by married couples with thirty-two percent represented by non-families. Eleven percent of homes are occupied by women with no husband present.

The average age for residents in Mesa, Arizona is thirty-two years and there are 98.2 males for every one hundred females. Women in Mesa, Arizona earn approximately twenty-seven thousand dollars a year while men routinely make approximately thirty-six thousand. The average household income is more than forty-two thousand, slightly higher than the national average.

Because it is a satellite or suburban neighbor of a major metropolitan center, Mesa citizens have access to limitless entertainment, dining, and cultural venues. It is a phenomenon of modern life that suburbs blend almost seamlessly into the larger urban environments that surround them and consequently have to struggle to maintain their own identity. Mesa, thankfully, has multiple draws and attractions that are uniquely its own.

The largest arts complex in the state is located in Mesa, Arizona. The Mesa Arts Center plays host to local and national theatrical productions as well as providing a base for musical concerts and art exhibits. To introduce children to the world of fine arts, the Arizona Museum of Youth offers hands-on workshops and guided activities designed to both educate young people and to nurture their own creativity.

There are three college campuses in Mesa, Arizona, the east campus of Arizona State University, Maricopa Community College, and the International Institute of the Americas. Some twenty-two percent of residents in Mesa, Arizona are twenty-five years or older and hold a degree at the bachelor's level or higher.

Mesa, AZ homes range from low income trailer parks to near palatial houses with stunning desert views. As is always the case with real estate, when searching for Mesa, AZ homes consult a local real estate professional who knows the market and will insure you don't pay too much for your property.

With its strong Mormon heritage and an acute awareness of its Western origins, Mesa, Arizona is a community that manages to preserve the past while moving steadily into the future. As part of a large, urban area with a considerable growth rate, Mesa shows every sign of continuing to offer a large range of opportunities to visitors and residents alike.