Tanque Verde, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Tanque Verde is a suburb
an census-designated place
(CDP) in Pima County
, Arizona
, United States
, northeast of Tucson
. The population was 16,195 at the 2000 census.
in a large and prominent stock water tank in the area in the late 19th century.
The Tanque Verde Valley was utilized by the Apache
, a Native American
tribe throughout the 19th century. Soldiers from Fort Lowell operated by the U.S. Army in the late 19th century also frequented the Tanque Verde Valley.
In 1886, the residents of the Tanque Verde valley established the Tanque Verde School District as the first significant political entity of the community.
By 2005, more than 1,600 students were enrolled in the school district's three schools, serving grades K-9. The Tanque Verde School District continues to register among the highest standardized test
scores in Arizona
.
As the Tucson area increased population, the Tanque Verde Valley did as well, but at a much slower rate. Much of the land in Tanque Verde is in covenants dictating land-use policies. These covenants strongly control growth and are considered by residents to ensure land preservation. By the 1960s, Tanque Verde had become a true suburb
of Tucson.
Tanque Verde has become an affluent community, with a significant equestrian
presence. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tanque Verde has the highest median household incomes of any city or community in southern Arizona
, and one of the highest in Arizona
.
The Tanque Verde Valley is characterized by the Santa Catalina Mountains
to the north, and the Rincon Mountains
to the east. The Tanque Verde Valley is traversed by two notable seasonal creeks, Tanque Verde and Agua Caliente.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, Tanque Verde has a total area of 32.9 square miles (85.1 km²), all of it land. The river system in Arizona, including in Tanque Verde, is threatened by the increased pumping and diversion of water from the rivers and streams for agriculture, industrial, and domestic use.
of 2000, there were 16,195 people, 5,810 households, and 4,903 families residing in Tanque Verde. The population density
was 492.7 people per square mile (190.2/km²). There were 6,056 housing units at an average density of 184.3/sq mi (71.1/km²). The racial makeup of Tanque Verde is 94.28% White
, 0.70% Black
or African American
, 0.56% Native American
, 1.30% Asian
, 0.11% Pacific Islander
, 1.36% from other races
, and 1.69% from two or more races. 7.29% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,810 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.3% were married couples
living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.6% were non-families. 12.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.01.
In Tanque Verde the population is spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.
The median income for a household in Tanque Verde is $80,530, and the median income for a family was $84,228. Males had a median income of $60,257 versus $35,356 for females. The per capita income
for Tanque Verde is $36,467. About 1.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
.
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
an census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Pima County
Pima County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*74.3% White*3.5% Black*3.3% Native American*2.6% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.7% Two or more races*12.4% Other races*34.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, northeast of Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
. The population was 16,195 at the 2000 census.
History
Tanque Verde began as a small community, remote from Tucson, and settled by ranchers arriving to the American West around the 1860s. The name of the area, which means "green tank," is a reference to the algaeAlgae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
in a large and prominent stock water tank in the area in the late 19th century.
The Tanque Verde Valley was utilized by the Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
, a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe throughout the 19th century. Soldiers from Fort Lowell operated by the U.S. Army in the late 19th century also frequented the Tanque Verde Valley.
In 1886, the residents of the Tanque Verde valley established the Tanque Verde School District as the first significant political entity of the community.
By 2005, more than 1,600 students were enrolled in the school district's three schools, serving grades K-9. The Tanque Verde School District continues to register among the highest standardized test
Standardized test
A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent, or "standard", manner. Standardized tests are designed in such a way that the questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent and are administered and scored in a...
scores in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
As the Tucson area increased population, the Tanque Verde Valley did as well, but at a much slower rate. Much of the land in Tanque Verde is in covenants dictating land-use policies. These covenants strongly control growth and are considered by residents to ensure land preservation. By the 1960s, Tanque Verde had become a true suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Tucson.
Tanque Verde has become an affluent community, with a significant equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
presence. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tanque Verde has the highest median household incomes of any city or community in southern Arizona
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona is a region of the United States comprising the southernmost portion of the State of Arizona. It sometimes goes by the name Baja Arizona, which means "Lower Arizona" in Spanish.- Geography :...
, and one of the highest in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Geography
Tanque Verde is located at 32°16′17"N 110°45′6"W (32.271523, -110.751747).The Tanque Verde Valley is characterized by the Santa Catalina Mountains
Santa Catalina Mountains
The Santa Catalina Mountains, commonly referred to as the Catalina Mountains, are located north, and northeast of Tucson, Arizona, United States, on Tucson's north perimeter. The mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation...
to the north, and the Rincon Mountains
Rincon Mountains
The Rincon Mountains are a significant mountain range east of Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, in the United States. The Rincon Mountains are one of five mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson valley...
to the east. The Tanque Verde Valley is traversed by two notable seasonal creeks, Tanque Verde and Agua Caliente.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, Tanque Verde has a total area of 32.9 square miles (85.1 km²), all of it land. The river system in Arizona, including in Tanque Verde, is threatened by the increased pumping and diversion of water from the rivers and streams for agriculture, industrial, and domestic use.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 16,195 people, 5,810 households, and 4,903 families residing in Tanque Verde. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 492.7 people per square mile (190.2/km²). There were 6,056 housing units at an average density of 184.3/sq mi (71.1/km²). The racial makeup of Tanque Verde is 94.28% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.70% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.56% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.30% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.11% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.36% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.69% from two or more races. 7.29% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 5,810 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.6% were non-families. 12.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.01.
In Tanque Verde the population is spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.
The median income for a household in Tanque Verde is $80,530, and the median income for a family was $84,228. Males had a median income of $60,257 versus $35,356 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for Tanque Verde is $36,467. About 1.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Tanque Verde area is served by one school district: Tanque Verde Unified School District. The only high school in the area is Tanque Verde High SchoolTanque Verde High School
Tanque Verde High School is a comprehensive public high school located in the suburban community of Tanque Verde northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Tanque Verde is the only high school in the Tanque Verde Unified School District. Tanque Verde was established in 2005 under the Twenty First Century...
.