South Tucson, Arizona

Geography

South Tucson is located at 32°11′46″N 110°58′8″W (32.196076, -110.968896). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²), all of it land. The city is an enclave entirely surrounded by the much larger city of Tucson.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,490 people, 1,810 households, and 1,125 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,446.6 people per square mile (2,098.7/km²). There were 2,059 housing units at an average density of 2,042.7 per square mile (787.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.46% White, 2.31% Black or African American, 9.14% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 41.24% from other races, and 3.39% from two or more races. 81.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,810 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.9% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.83.

In the city, the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 112.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $14,587, and the median income for a family was $17,614. Males had a median income of $20,504 versus $14,575 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,920. About 43.5% of families and 46.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 61.2% of those under age 18 and 36.0% of those age 65 or over.

History

South Tucson was incorporated as a city in 1940 in an area south of the Tucson city limits. The city of Tucson now surrounds South Tucson because of later annexations.

South Tucson was incorporated as a city chiefly to take advantage of provisions in Arizona statutes of the time that permitted an incorporated city to have more alcohol licenses than comparable county areas and to permit dog racing to be allowed within city limits if regulated by the city.

Culture

South Tucson has many Mexican restaurants, colorful buildings and outdoor murals. The 1.2-square-mile city is gaining favor with businesses and residents and is attracting bohemians, artists, and musicians. The city is trying to attract more business through a new economic development plan and an incentive program.

Crime

South Tucson has also been fighting a long, uphill battle with crime rates. For larceny, theft and aggravated assault, South Tucson ranks at about 4 times the national average.

However, there have been sizable advances in repressing criminal activity, due to use of "wolf pack" saturation tactics by the South Tucson Police Department in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Vigorous enforcement of liquor license laws has reduced the number of alcohol-related crimes. Neighborhood activism has considerably reduced the amount of open drug activity and a rising level of education of youth is making a slow impact on gang related activity.

Education

South Tucson residents attend Ochoa Community Magnet, Mission View Elementary, Holladay Magnet Elementary, Elizabeth Borton Magnet, Madge Utterback Magnet Middle, Safford K-8 Magnet Baccalaureate World, Tucson High Magnet, & Pueblo Magnet High Schools, all part of Tucson Unified School District.

Governmental representation

South Tucson is in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, represented by Representative Raúl Grijalva, a Democrat. The city is also in Arizona’s 2nd State Legislative District, represented by Representatives John Christopher Ackerley and Rosanna Gabaldón and Senator Andrea d’Alessandro, all Democrats.