Apache Junction, Arizona

The location became a historical landmark. It is part of a scenic byway that was opened to the public in 1922 and is currently part of a {{convert|120|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} "circle trail" that begins and ends in Apache Junction.{{cite web |access-date=October 5, 2019 |title=Apache Junction History – Apache Junction Public Library |url=https://www.ajpl.org/apache-junction-history/}} The O'odham Jeweḍ, Akimel O'odham (Upper Pima), and Hohokam people all have tribal ties to the area.{{Cite web |title=NativeLand.ca |url=https://native-land.ca/ |access-date=September 24, 2021 |website=Native-land.ca – Our home on native land |language=en}}

Apache Junction is in northern Pinal County at {{coord|33.415035|-111.546025|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=inline}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} A small portion of the city limits comprising the El Dorado Mobile Estates Resort and Senior Cottages of Apache Junction extends west into Maricopa County. The city is bordered to the west partly by the city of Mesa and to the southeast by unincorporated Gold Canyon. Downtown Phoenix is {{convert|33|mi}} to the west via U.S. Route 60, which also leads east {{convert|54|mi}} to Globe. Arizona State Route 88, following the route of the old Apache Trail, leads northeast from Apache Junction through the Superstition Mountains {{convert|45|mi}} to State Route 188 at Theodore Roosevelt Lake.

Apache Junction is located in the east part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of {{convert|35.1|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|0.01|sqmi|2}}, or 0.03%, were listed as water.

The town is bounded to the east by the Superstition Mountains (a federal wilderness area and home of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine) and to the north by the Goldfield Mountains with the Bulldog Recreation Area. Goldfield Ghost Town, a tourist location preserved from former prospecting days, lies near the western face of Superstition Mountain just off Highway 88 (Apache Trail). It is located just southwest of the site of the ghost town of Goldfield.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Apache+Junction&state=AZ&country=US&latitude=33.415&longitude=-111.548897&geocode=CITY|title=33.415000,-111.548897 – Map of Cities in 33.415000,-111.548897 – MapQuest}}

In October 2021, Apache Junction annexed ten square miles south of the city's previous southern boundary.{{cite news|url=https://roselawgroupreporter.com/2021/10/6600-acres-annexed-into-apache-junction/|title=6,600 acres annexed into Apache Junction|first=Richard|last=Dyer|date=October 20, 2021|publisher=Rose Law Group Reporter|agency=Your Valley|accessdate=October 8, 2022}}

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Apache Junction has a hot semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSh" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Apache Junction was {{convert|119|F|C|1}} on June 26, 1990, and July 27–28, 1995, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|17|F|C|1}} on January 14, 2007.

{{Weather box

|location = Apache Junction, Arizona, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1987–present

|single line = Yes

|collapsed =

|Jan record high F = 83

|Feb record high F = 88

|Mar record high F = 98

|Apr record high F = 103

|May record high F = 111

|Jun record high F = 119

|Jul record high F = 119

|Aug record high F = 115

|Sep record high F = 113

|Oct record high F = 105

|Nov record high F = 95

|Dec record high F = 82

|Jan avg record high F = 75.6

|Feb avg record high F = 80.2

|Mar avg record high F = 88.1

|Apr avg record high F = 96.5

|May avg record high F = 103.6

|Jun avg record high F = 111.0

|Jul avg record high F = 112.1

|Aug avg record high F = 110.8

|Sep avg record high F = 106.8

|Oct avg record high F = 99.6

|Nov avg record high F = 87.0

|Dec avg record high F = 76.2

|year avg record high F = 113.5

|Jan high F = 66.7

|Feb high F = 70.1

|Mar high F = 77.1

|Apr high F = 84.7

|May high F = 93.4

|Jun high F = 103.0

|Jul high F = 105.2

|Aug high F = 103.8

|Sep high F = 99.2

|Oct high F = 88.4

|Nov high F = 75.6

|Dec high F = 65.6

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 54.7

|Feb mean F = 57.0

|Mar mean F = 62.4

|Apr mean F = 68.6

|May mean F = 76.9

|Jun mean F = 86.0

|Jul mean F = 91.1

|Aug mean F = 90.1

|Sep mean F = 85.2

|Oct mean F = 74.2

|Nov mean F = 62.7

|Dec mean F = 53.9

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 42.8

|Feb low F = 43.9

|Mar low F = 47.6

|Apr low F = 52.6

|May low F = 60.4

|Jun low F = 69.1

|Jul low F = 77.0

|Aug low F = 76.4

|Sep low F = 71.2

|Oct low F = 60.1

|Nov low F = 49.8

|Dec low F = 42.2

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 29.8

|Feb avg record low F = 31.0

|Mar avg record low F = 35.4

|Apr avg record low F = 40.2

|May avg record low F = 48.6

|Jun avg record low F = 58.0

|Jul avg record low F = 67.7

|Aug avg record low F = 68.0

|Sep avg record low F = 59.4

|Oct avg record low F = 45.7

|Nov avg record low F = 34.0

|Dec avg record low F = 28.6

|year avg record low F = 26.0

|Jan record low F = 17

|Feb record low F = 20

|Mar record low F = 27

|Apr record low F = 33

|May record low F = 40

|Jun record low F = 48

|Jul record low F = 60

|Aug record low F = 64

|Sep record low F = 51

|Oct record low F = 32

|Nov record low F = 22

|Dec record low F = 22

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.54

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.65

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.33

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.52

|May precipitation inch = 0.26

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.05

|Jul precipitation inch = 1.37

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.50

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.07

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.71

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.01

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.54

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 4.5

|Feb precipitation days = 4.7

|Mar precipitation days = 3.6

|Apr precipitation days = 1.9

|May precipitation days = 1.7

|Jun precipitation days = 0.8

|Jul precipitation days = 4.3

|Aug precipitation days = 5.6

|Sep precipitation days = 3.5

|Oct precipitation days = 2.7

|Nov precipitation days = 2.9

|Dec precipitation days = 4.2

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00020288&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Apache Junction 5 NE, AZ

|access-date = March 26, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=psr

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Phoenix

|access-date = March 26, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

| align = left

| 1970 = 2390

| 1980 = 9935

| 1990 = 18100

| 2000 = 31814

| 2010 = 35840

| 2020 = 38499

| estyear = 2022

| estimate = 40173

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}

}}

Apache Junction first appeared on the 1970 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It was formally incorporated as a city in 1978.

As of the census of 2010, there were 35,840 people, 15,574 households, and 9,372 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|929.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 22,771 housing units at an average density of {{convert|665.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.9% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.4% of the population.

There were 15,574 households, out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population had 19.9% under the age of 20, 4.5% from 20 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.5 years.

The median income (as of the 2000 census) for a household in the city was $33,170, and the median income for a family was $37,726. Males had a median income of $31,283 versus $22,836 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,806. About 7.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Apache Junction was incorporated as a city on November 24, 1978. The city is governed by a collection of elected officials, clerk, and nine boards and commissions. The city council has seven members, which includes the mayor and vice-mayor. The mayor serves a two-year term.{{Cite web|url = http://www.ajcity.net/index.aspx?NID=8|title = Government|access-date = November 14, 2014|website = Apache Junction, AZ Official Website|publisher = City of Apache Junction, Arizona}} The current mayor is Chip Wilson, Vice Mayor Christa Rizzi.[http://www.ajcity.net/Directory.aspx?did=3 Apache Junction city directory]

This gallery includes images of some of the remaining historical structures located in Apache Junction. Among the exhibits on the grounds of the Superstition Mountain Museum are studio sets and other Western paraphernalia that were saved from the Apacheland fire of 1969. Apacheland was a 1,800-acre movie set that opened in 1960.[http://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/local/history/2014/07/14/apacheland-arizona-clay-thompson/12575709/ The Arizona Republic] Also located in Apache junction is the ghost town of Goldfield. Goldfield was a mining town established in 1893 next to Superstition Mountain. When the mine vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and the town eventually became a ghost town. The town and its historic buildings were revived as a tourist attraction.[http://goldfieldghosttown.com/ Goldfield Ghost Town]

File:Superstitionmountain.jpg|The Lost Dutchman Mine, located in the Superstition Mountains

File: Apache Junction-Superstition Mountain Museum-Audie Murphy Barn.JPG |The Audie Murphy Barn on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum, moved there from the Apacheland Movie Ranch

File: Apache Junction-Superstition Mountain Museum-Windmill.JPG |A 19th-century windmill located on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum

Apache Junction is located along U.S. Route 60.

Apache Junction is not served by local buses.{{Cite web| title = Funding sought for twice-daily bus service to Apache Junction| work = Your Valley| accessdate = November 9, 2021| url = https://yourvalley.net/stories/funding-sought-for-twice-daily-bus-service-to-apache-junction,142371}} Greyhound Lines serves Apache Junction on its Phoenix-El Paso via Globe route.

It is in the Apache Junction Unified School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st04_az/schooldistrict_maps/c04021_pinal/DC20SD_C04021.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pinal County, AZ|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-11-07}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st04_az/schooldistrict_maps/c04021_pinal/DC20SD_C04021_SD2MS.txt Text list]

• Apache Wells, Arizona

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Category:Cities in Arizona

Category:Cities in Pinal County, Arizona

Category:Cities in Maricopa County, Arizona

Category:Arizona placenames of Native American origin

Category:Phoenix metropolitan area

Category:Populated places in the Sonoran Desert

Category:Mining communities in Arizona