Marana , Tucson Suburb Guide

Marana is a town located in the northwest corner of Tucson. This relatively small town has a population of 34,961, yet is still close enough to Tucson to enjoy many of the big-city benefits available. Anyone interested in moving to Tucson will benefit from investigating this unique suburb.

The median home price in Marana is $222,200, which is higher than both the Arizona and national average. Seventy-seven percent of properties are owner-occupied, a statistic that indicates there is a strong community feel that is focused on improving home values.

Marana is a close community of professionals who enjoy the great outdoors, historical significance and family-focused fun.

Are There Outdoor Adventures in Marana?

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Marana is situated on the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains. This unique location is why the region has been populated for thousands of years. At present, it provides for a plethora of hiking trails found throughout the area. In fact, there are over 40 miles of trails that are easily accessed from within the city limits. These trails offer stunning scenery and a chance to be active. Advanced and beginner hikers alike will find something for them.

 There are two primary locations for outdoor adventures near Marana:

1. Tortolita Mountains. Three separate canyons cut through the southwest point of the Tortolita Mountain range. This unique geographical feature has created breathtaking trails. Most of the popular trails are found within this area. In fact, the Town of Marana hosts guided hikes on Saturday mornings at the Dove Mountain trailhead.
    
2. Saguaro National Park West. Located a little further away from town, the western section of Saguaro National Park has 165 miles of hiking trails. The large amount of trails provides plenty of options for different outdoor adventures.

Is There a Healthy Workforce in Marana?

Marana is a town filled with white-collar employees. Approximately 86% of residents work in white collar positions, which is well above the national average. Most of these white-collar professionals are employed in sales (12%), office employees (12%) and management (10%). In fact, there are more people who work with computers in Marana than 95% of towns in the United States. These statistics indicate that Marana is an ideal place to live for any professional looking to be surrounded by peers and networking opportunities.

Other prominent industries include healthcare (15%), manufacturing (12%) and retail (11%). Fortunately, there is plenty of opportunity for employment throughout the Tucson area due to the location of Marana.

When it comes to unemployment, Marana boasts a much lower unemployment rate than the rest of the state and the national average, clocking in at 4.3%. The Arizona and national average are both 6.0%. Additionally, only 4.1% of the population are below the poverty level, compared to the Arizona average of 17.2%.

What is the History of Marana?

Marana has a long, rich history of human activity. While it was officially incorporated in 1977, archaeologists have found evidence of 4,200 years of ongoing human activity in the area. Needless to say, this has created a rich history throughout every inch of Marana.

The strongest evidence of pre-American settlement is at the Las Capas agricultural site, which was occupied from 4,200 to 2,500 years ago. This site hosts the oldest known cemetery in the American Southwest, the oldest canals in North America and the oldest tobacco pipes in the entire world.

In more recent history, Juan Bautista de Anza led an expectation in 1775 along the Santa Cruz River. He eventually founded San Francisco, and along the way created a route through what would become Marana. This new route paved the way for future travelers.

During World War II, the Marana Airfield was the largest pilot-training center in the entire world. Even though the town was still not formally incorporated, this pilot-training center put Marana on the map.  

When it was finally incorporated in 1977, there were only 1,500 residents. Since then, the small town has grown substantially and is now a popular suburb of Tucson.

Are There any Family-Focused Amenities in Marana?

Marana is largely focused on family values and education. The average test score in Marana is 72%, higher than the Arizona average of 64%. Additionally, the student/teacher ratio is 16:1. These statistics directly illustrate Marana’s focus on educating the next generation. University of Arizona is also located near Marana, further perpetuating the focus on education.  

When it comes to family-focused amenities, there are plenty of parks found throughout Marana that make for a free way to spend the day. Additionally, there are a few specific attractions that cater to families:

• Breakers Water Park. Looking for a place to cool down during the summer? Look no further. While it may not be the flashiest water park out there, it’s a great place for the kids to splash around while you relax.
   
• Way Out West Ranch. Enjoy this family-focused ranch that provides guided trail rides and as close to the cowboy experience as you can get. The horses are known for being well-behaved and the guides are knowledgeable about the area.
   
• Disruptive Paintball Inc. If you have older children, let their wild side loose with paintball. Not only will they have fun, but they’ll also be active. It’s a great way to trick sedentary teenagers into getting exercise.

Are You Ready to Move to Marana?

Does Marana seem like the type of suburb you could see yourself in? Would you appreciate being able to hike whenever you like, live in a historically rich area and have plenty of family-focused outings?

If so, we’d love to help make that happen. Our active Marana real estate listings will show you what’s available, while our network of real estate agents will help you seal the deal. Get started today with Movoto!