New River Arizona
New River is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. It was named after the seasonal wash of the same name in which part of the Agua Fria River system drains into the Salt River. New River has largely retained its rural setting ever since it was founded. But uncertainty looms for its future as a rural community since the city of Phoenix continues to expand into the region. In mid 1990’s, a short-lived incorporation campaign was instigated by Del Webb Corporation when it proposed a residential development that was almost as big as Flagstaff, Arizona. It failed due to lack of popular support.
New River has a total population of 10,740 based on the 2000 U.S. Census. With continuing development of Phoenix metropolitan area northward, the New River area is being reduced closer to New River Road. The expansion plans of Phoenix included the annex of New River area making the future of the town more and more uncertain. And with this uncertainty, most new residents in the area of New River often identify themselves as either part of Phoenix or Anthem.
