DemographicEconomic/Political Data about Arizona & MCCCD 1

Demographic and Current Economic/Political Data about Arizona and MCCCD

Created By:

Eden Jarman and Steven Perez

How to make a Difference

The Arizona We Want Institute is one example of how to make a difference and to improve the issues Arizonians struggle with.

The main goals of The Arizona We Want Institute include creating quality jobs for all Arizonans, raising Arizona’s average wage to one of the top ten in the nation, preparing Arizonans of all ages for careers in the 21st century, making Arizona the best place to be more young talent, making healthcare more available and affordable, and protecting Arizonan’s national environment and water supplies.

http://www.thearizonawewant.org/ http://www.thearizonawewant.org/news.php

Education Arizona State University is the largest university in the United States of America, and the Maricopa Community College district is the largest district in the nation. This year, ASU was ranked 174th out of all the universities in the world. Suffice it to say that post-secondary education in Arizona is good and getting better. Yet, a full 7.8% of the 25 and older population has less than a ninth grade education, and Arizona's public education has long been considered one of the worst in the nation. We have the highest dropouts rates and some of the lowest test scores. Only 23.8% of the population has at least a Bachelor's degree. Although the situation is improving, it is hardly doing so rapidly or efficiently. In order for Arizona to recognize as a leader in education, serious, sustainable and long term solutions will need to be constructed and implemented. http://arizonaindicators.org/education/aims?hchart=342 http://arizonaindicators.org/article/arizona-earns-c-2011-state-education-ranking Voter Registration According to the 2010 Arizona Civic Health Index, Arizona ranks 27th out of the fifty states for voter registration and 18th for voter turnout. Although voter registration is about one percent below national average, voter turnout is almost three percent higher than national average figures. Moreover, Arizona has been experiences increased rates of both voter registration and voter turn out in recent years. Although it is always worthwhile to pursue increased rates of voter registration and voter turnout, it is worth noting that Arizona is by far the worst in this category, and it showing improvement every year. http://www.thearizonawewant.org/

In this decade Arizona has plummeted to the bottom of most charts; education, employment and the economy. There has been talk of improvement but rarely do we see anything happen within our community’s, districts or the state. It’s

important for the people of Arizona to stand up and fight for their rights. Arizona has been struggling but we will certainly make a comeback and things will improve.

DemographicEconomic/Political Data about Arizona & MCCCD 2

Tribes and proportion of land owned by Native Americans Currently, Arizona devotes more land to tribal reservations than any other state in the country. In total, there are 21 federally recognized tribes in Arizona. Currently, over 250,000 Arizona residents are part of these tribes, and tribal population has been increasing since 1990. Currently, the largest tribe is the Navajo, and the smallest is the Yavapi-Apache tribe. www.ruralhome.org/storage/documents/nativeoverview.pdf Income In 2010, the average per capita money income for Arizona citizens was $25,680, compared to the national average of $27,334. Moreover, while nationally, approximately 13.8% of the population lives below the poverty line, about 15.3% of Arizonans are considered below poverty level. In 2010, Arizona was declared the second poorest state in the nation, behind only Mississippi.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/article_edbb4014-c1d7-11df-a972-001cc4c03286.html http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/04000.html Key industries/economic sectors Major industries and economic activities are manufacturing and tourism. These industries have always served as the backbone of Arizona’s economic pursuits. Tourism particularly was and is a hugely important sector of the state’s economy, attracting over 10 million visitors annually. http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-West/Phoenix-Economy.html Major population areas The most populated city in Arizona is Phoenix, with a population of 1,445,632 individuals currently residing in the city limits. 1980, Phoenix has grown hugely from a comparatively meager population 789, 704. Tucson is the second largest city in the state, and Mesa is the third. Each of these cities has less than half the population of Phoenix. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/04000.html

Category AZ% US% All 21.20% 14.30% People under 18 31.30% 20.70% Age 18-64 18.40% 12.90% 65 and older 13.80% 8.90% Famil ies 16.30% 11.10% Female head of househo ld, no husband, w ith chi ldren

45.70% 39.90%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Population

The Arizona Population has grown significantly over the years. With more people to provide for that means Arizona needs to open more schools provide more hosing and food for their people.

According the U.S. Census in 1990 there were 3.6841 Million people and now in 2011 it has doubled to around 6.4825 million people.

Arizona is a melting pot of cultures; we have such a variety of people and cultures. According to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, White Americans made up 76.4% of Arizona's population; of which 59.6% were Non-Hispanic Whites. Blacks or African Americans made up 3.4% of Arizona's population; of which 3.3% were non-Hispanic blacks. American Indians made up 4.5% of the state's population; of which 4.1% were non-Hispanic. Asian Americans made up 2.3% of the state's population. Pacific Islander Americans made up 0.1% of the state's population. Individuals from some other race made up 10.8% of the state's population; of which 0.2% were non-Hispanic. Individuals from two or more races made up 2.4% of the state's population; of which 1.4% were non-Hispanic. In addition, Hispanics and Latinos made up 29.0% of Arizona's population. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona