Some towns are fortunate when it comes to geographical location, and Fountain Hills AZ is one of those towns. Located at the edge of the massive Tonto National Forest and the Fort McDowell-Yavapai Nation Reservation, this town is pretty much at the end of the easterly line for the Valley of the Sun. Being slightly higher than the valley, in the foothills of the White Mountains, Fountain Hills has the benefit of slightly cooler temps in those hot summer months. And if you’re looking for a view, Fountain Hills offers the best in the area, whether you want the twinkling night-lights of the valley or a grand mountain vista of a snow-covered peaks.
Though Fountain Hills is on the edge, it shares its border with Scottsdale, one of the top destinations in the country, and downtown Phoenix is only 33 miles away. Other major cities nearby include Tucson (135 miles) and Flagstaff (150 miles). Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is only 25 miles away, putting the rest of the country (and the world) in easy reach.
As one of the newer cities in the U.S., Fountain Hills has some distinct advantages. The town, which was incorporated on December 5, 1989, was not carved out of an already existing larger city. It was created, with a plan in mind, out of the open desert. This means there wide streets and avenues, making it easy to get around. (Although, it should be noted that Fountain Hills eschews the use of street lights in many neighborhoods in order to preserve the desert starlight views). Because the town is so new, public transportation has not made its way out to this part of the Phoenix area yet, so most residents do rely on their cars for commuting (78%).
As far as the population, Fountain Hills is a healthy mix of people, but skewed towards the now-retiring baby boomers. There are about 23,000 full-time residents, a number that swells considerably in the winter months with long-term visitors from the Midwest and the East. Of the full-time residents, the median age is almost 54 years old, and 67% are over 40 years old.
Because there is a nice mix of retirees and families (16% of households have children), there is also a nice mix of arts and culture, and family activities such as the two annual craft fairs, as well as large St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July, and Oktoberfest celebrations. There are plenty of activities for the kids, like an Easter egg hunt, a Halloween stroll, a Thanksgiving parade and a “snow” party near Christmas.
Fountain Hills is a well-educated community with 47.6% of the population having attained an associate degree or higher (compared to 34.7% for the state of Arizona). This means that incomes are on the higher end, with a median household income of $74,551, one of the highest in the valley.
The town also enjoys a low unemployment rate of 4%, although some of this is attributable to the 41% of the population not participating in the labor force. For those that do have to go to work, the average commute time from Fountain Hills is 28 minutes, which is normal for the area.
Fountain Park
Without a doubt there are two attractions that Fountain Hills is best known for: golf courses and Fountain Park. Fountain Park is home to the famous fountain that was once the tallest in the world. It has now been surpassed, but still makes the top twenty, jetting up to 560 feet when at full operation. Every day, twelve times a day, the fountain signals the top of the hour and can be seen from the surrounding hills as you drive around town. At its base is the 28-acre Fountain Park, beautifully landscaped and with a multi-use loop path around the entire lake. Add to that, shops, restaurants, a playground and a splash pad area, and it’s easy to see why the centerpiece of Fountain Hills draws people from all over.
Golf Courses
Fountain Hills has left the splashy and showy advertising campaigns for its spectacular golf courses to its more boisterous neighbors, like Mesa and Scottsdale. Quietly, hidden in the hills, Fountain Hills offers the award winning Sunridge Canyon Golf Club, as well as the top-rated We-Ko Pa Golf Club, Desert Canyon Golf Club and FireRock Country Club.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Located on the northern border of town is the McDowell Mountain Regional Park with 80 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, as well as camping. One of the biggest draws to Fountain Hills, and this park, is the 14 miles of competitive-track mountain bike trails located in the park. These are one-way trails, and competitive athletes come from all over to train for races. There are also several professional events held in the park each year.
Arts, Restaurants, Shopping
One of the cultural aspects of Fountain Hills is its attention to aesthetics. The town has made a conscious effort to provide public art and has commissioned many local artists for sculptures located throughout town. The great horse made out of found objects, located at the shops at Fountain Park, has become a local photo opportunity.
Fountain Hills has plenty of local restaurants with Italian, Mexican and Chinese food available in town. There are sandwich shops and cafes, and several establishments offering low-key nightlife, such as a wine bar.
Though Fountain Hills has some major retail shopping, located on the southern edge of town, most of the shops are independently owned and offer unique items. There is also a weekly market on the main thoroughfare, Avenue of the Fountains, which attracts artists and craftsmen, as well as local farmers to sell their goods.
Source: wikimedia.org
Fountain Hills AZ is a unique town for the area, sitting slightly above the bustle of the valley and enjoying slightly cooler temperatures and spectacular views, and the town certainly lives up to its motto, “All that is Arizona.”
