Peoria Arizona
Peoria is a fast-growing suburban community in Maricopa County, Arizona. It is bordered by Sun City on the west, Phoenix and Glendale on the east and Yavapai County on the north. It was founded in the year 1880 when families from Peoria, Illinois settled and began farming in the area. Peoria opened its first post office in 1888. The number of farms increased and the town settled into a quiet rural lifestyle through the years. When the retirement community of Sun City opened in the 1960’s, the community of Peoria began to change. For a decade from 1980 to 1990, phenomenal growth was experienced by the city with an increase in population by as much as 300%.
Peoria presently has a total population of 132,300 as of 2004 U.S. Census. It was formerly an agricultural town that was incorporated in 1954 which transformed itself to the present day business and medical hub for the Northwest Valley area. More “Class A” buildings have been opened recently and still more are under construction. And with opening of the new freeway, Arizona 101, transportation has improved. It now hosts athletic and special events all-year round.
