South Tucson is a city in Pima County, Arizona, United States, and an enclave of the much larger city of Tucson. South Tucson is known for being heavily influenced by Hispanic, and especially Mexican, culture; restaurants and shops which sell traditional Mexican food and other goods can be found throughout the city. According to the 2020 census, the population of the city is 4,613.

Geography

South Tucson is located at (32.196076, -110.968896). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. The city is an enclave entirely surrounded by the much larger city of Tucson.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, South Tucson had a population of 4,613. The median age was 37.0 years. 24.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.1 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,808 households in South Tucson, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 25.2% were married-couple households, 33.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Area auto court and other property owners on south Sixth Avenue objected, as they did not want to pay the higher business taxes imposed by Tucson or be subject to Tucson's building codes. The existing Mexican food restaurants on South Fourth Avenue have long been a draw. Some of the long-established eateries dotting South Fourth Avenue in South Tucson have grabbed national headlines, perhaps none more famously than Mi Nidito, where President Bill Clinton had lunch in 1999 and where "the President's Plate" is still on the menu. Local business owners and developers are eyeing properties in South Tucson as complementary projects to downtown Tucson with business parks, restaurants, retail shops, and multifamily investors moving into the city.

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 four 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

It is in the Tucson Unified School District.

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 USD.

Governmental representation

South Tucson is in Arizona's 7th congressional district.

In November 2024, Roxanna Valenzuela assumed the role of Mayor. Her priorities include strengthening the local police and fire departments, strengthening small businesses, protecting the unique culture of South Tucson, addressing the widespread challenges of homelessness and substance addiction, and building more affordable housing.

References

  • Official website