Apache Junction, Arizona

Apache Junction (Western Apache: Hagosgeed) is a city in Pinal and Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,499, The O'odham Jeweḍ, Akimel O'odham (Upper Pima), and Hohokam people all have tribal ties to the area.

Geography

Apache Junction is in northern Pinal County at . 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 to the west via U.S. Route 60, which also leads east to Globe. Arizona State Route 88, following the route of the old Apache Trail, leads northeast from Apache Junction through the Superstition Mountains 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 , of which , or 0.03%, were listed as water.

In October 2021, Apache Junction annexed ten square miles south of the city's previous southern boundary.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system and being located in the Sonoran Desert, Apache Junction has a hot semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSh" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Apache Junction was on June 26, 1990, and July 27–28, 1995, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 14, 2007.

| source 2 = National Weather Service

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Demographics

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

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Apache Junction had a population of 38,499.

99.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.4% lived in rural areas.

The median age was 52.5 years. 17.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 32.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.2 males age 18 and over.

There were 17,052 households in Apache Junction, of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.2% were married-couple households, 20.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The current mayor is Chip Wilson, Vice Mayor Christa Rizzi.

Historic structures

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. 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.

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

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Transportation

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

Apache Junction is not served by local buses. Greyhound Lines serves Apache Junction on its Phoenix-El Paso via Globe route.

Education

It is in the Apache Junction Unified School District.