You're Gonna Love it Here! - Community Profile - Town of Sahuarita

TO W N O F S A H UA R I TA

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2018

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COMMUNITY PROFILE

Sahuarita is quickly becoming the community of choice for families in Southern Arizona. A thriving, modern community, Sahuarita retains a homey, small-town feel, surrounded by natural beauty and abundant recreational opportunities.

Located just twenty minutes from downtown Tucson and 17 miles from the Tucson International Airport, Sahuarita offers the best of both worlds—a safe, family-friendly community with great schools, close to all that a large urban center offers.

C O M M U N I T Y L I F E S T Y L E – TO W N O F S A H UA R I TA

“I have lived in Sahuarita since its preincorporation days and have watched it grow

Sahuarita offers a unique lifestyle.

from a sleepy little wide spot in the road along the I-19 corridor to a thriving community. As a small business owner I have been very pleased with the ease with which I was able to get my business up and running. We have acquired so many amenities, but haven’t sacrificed that small town feel.”

Martha - Santo Tomas Villas Neighborhood

The Town carefully maintains a hometown

to medical services at the recently completed

identity. Neighborhoods are connected by trails

Northwest Hospital, Northwest Urgent Care

and bike paths that lead to community parks

Center, and Carondelet and United Community

and athletic fields. At the same time, Sahuarita

Healthcare clinics.

provides quick and easy access to the benefits associated with big city life. In close proximity to both I-19 and I-10, Sahuarita is a short twenty minutes south of trendy downtown Tucson, the Tucson International Airport, shopping centers, and the University of Arizona.

Sahuarita recently expanded its own retail offerings with the construction and opening of The Crossing. This shopping center includes anchor tenants Sprouts, TJ Maxx, PetSmart, and Bealls Outlet, plus additional restaurant and retail space. Sahuarita residents enjoy quick access

Relatively small in size, the Sahuarita Unified School District is a District of Choice, providing students with personalized learning opportunities,

POPULATION - 2018

SAHUARITA MEDIAN AGE (YEARS)

34.4

rigorous and relevant coursework, and state and nationally recognized programs.

Strategically connected to new and expanding aerospace, technology and research development opportunities, Sahuarita is in close proximity to major employers such as Raytheon and the University of Arizona.

FAMILIES

7,119 WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 YRS.

3,474

29,317

In a 2018 citizen survey, 95% of Sahuaritans rated the Town as an “excellent place to live.�

E D U C A T I O N – TO W N O F S A H UA R I TA

Sahuarita schools are the right choice.

Sahuarita’s highly ranked and awarded schools

High school students can take advantage of

offer a well-rounded educational program that

numerous advanced placement courses and dual

offers rigorous and relevant coursework and

enrollment courses. Foreign languages offered

state and nationally recognized programs. The

at the high school level include German, Spanish

curriculum includes regular physical education

and Mandarin Chinese. High school students can

and fine arts instruction, and the opportunity to

also explore a diverse array of Career & Technical

participate in a wide variety of leadership classes

Education courses. Workplace training internship

and clubs. Many extracurricular activities are

programs and industry certification opportunities

available to our students, including a nationally

are integrated into CTE coursework. Students

recognized dance program, highly rated vocal,

explore the world beyond school, learning about

band, and orchestra programs, as well as

post-high school opportunities, careers, work, and

numerous competitive athletic opportunities.

community through community partnerships and

The high school level programs offer a variety of choices. Educational plans can be truly customized to meet students’ individual needs.

Options include a traditional course of study, online instruction and hybrid programs.

in our work-based internship program for seniors.

“I love how Sahuarita primary school encourages family participation through its many family-oriented activities, such as the lighted schoolhouse events.�

Tangee - Los Arroyos Neighborhood

E N T E RTA I N M E N T – TO W N O F S A H UA R I TA

There’s always something to do close by.

Close to the famed Titan Missile Museum and a short drive to Whipple Observatory, Sahuarita is a center for science and technology oriented tourism. The community is also a mecca for golfers and casino enthusiasts. Close proximity to the University of Arizona offers an abundance of cultural opportunities, while the Tucson Museum of Art is only one of numerous museums and galleries that enrich the Tucson arts scene. Downtown Tucson provides a vibrant nightlife with numerous performance venues. Closer to home, local festivals, farmers’ markets and events that provide a friendly, small-town vibe are popular activities. Enjoy the pristine architecture of the Mission San Xavier del Bac, or spend an afternoon shopping in Tubac! Cool off with a day at Patagonia Lake, or enjoy some wine tasting in the vineyards of Sonoita! All of these attractions are in close proximity to Sahuarita.

Whipple Observatory is home to the MMT - 14th largest telescope in the world, VERITAS - the only gamma ray telescope in the US in addition to 20 small telescopes

O U T D O O R R E C R E A T I O N – TO W N O F S A H UA R I TA

Sahuarita is a center for outdoor adventure.

Sahuarita is the ideal hub for adventure in Southern Arizona. We are home to one of the great Sky Islands in Arizona—The Santa Rita Mountains—where hikers and backpackers explore numerous trails and the highest summit in the region, Mt. Wrightson. Others wander the majestic, riparian splendor of Madera Canyon.

Rental cabins are available year-round in Madera, and camping opportunities range from roughing the wilderness to the amenities afforded by more developed campgrounds. The area is renowned for biodiversity as home to a rare species of orchid as well as jaguars and ring-tailed coatimundis— whose range extends here from Central and South America.

even less-traveled closer to Elephant Head offer a rougher ride. Road cyclists will find one of the region’s most scenic rides in the moderately difficult journey into Madera, while traditionalstyle rock climbers have easy access to the

Off-road motorists and mountain bikers can

granite shear-cliff face of Elephant Head. Just

literally get lost in the maze of backroads that

south of Sahuarita, near Tumacácori, the historic

connect Sahuarita to the Sonoita/Patagonia

Anza Trail runs alongside the perennially flowing

area by way of Box Canyon Road, while roads

Santa Cruz River.

With more than

256 species of birds, Madera Canyon attracts more than

248,000

visitors annually.

C I V I C – TO W N O F S A H UA R I TA

A place where neighbors work together.

Sahuarita welcomes and accommodates the

The structure of the town government is the

needs of citizens with the spirit of volunteerism

council-manager form of government. The

where neighbors work together for the common

council is responsible for the legislative functions

good to build a strong and vibrant community.

of the municipality, such as establishing policies,

Sahuarita’s citizens are committed to community

adopting local ordinances, voting appropriations,

involvement and volunteerism and contribute

developing an overall vision for the community,

their time and talents to make Sahuarita a

and other such functions as provided by law. The

better place in which to live, work and play.

town manager is the chief administrative officer

Opportunities to serve exist within the Boards and

of the town and works under the general direction

Commissions, including the Board of Adjustment,

of the town council to ensure effective, efficient

the Board of Appeals, Finance and Investment

and equitable delivery of government services.

In a 2018 citizen survey, 97% of Sahuaritans rated the Town as an

Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation

“safe or very safe

Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission

place to live.”

and the Sahuarita Teen Advisory Council.

“Whenever I have had a problem or issue with something in Sahuarita, the town staff and elected leadership have been highly responsive. This is the most citizen-oriented community in which I have ever lived. I have found that Sahuarita is always “ahead of the curve.” Here, growth is not a burden on government, but an opportunity.”

James - Rancho Sahuarita Neighborhood

Looking for a convenient way to report problems with potholes, sidewalks, street lights and more? YourGOV is an application that anyone with a smart device or PC can use to report non-emergency roadway or park related issues to the town. Submit an issue with the app, and then track its progress from submission to completion.

R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E – TO W N O F S A H UA R I TA

Find yourself in Sahuarita!

Sahuarita offers homebuyers at all steps of life an opportunity to purchase a place they can truly call home. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer looking to take that first plunge, a retiree looking to downsize, or anyone in between, there is a place for you in Sahuarita. The Town’s linkages with trails and parks allow for an active and rural lifestyle while only twenty minutes from major employers such as Raytheon, the University of Arizona, or others in Downtown Tucson.

If you have kids, then Rancho Sahuarita and Madera Highlands offer affordable housing options in communities with lush amenities and top-notch schools. If you are a retiree looking to downsize or find an open community to golf in, then Rancho Resort or Quail Creek are the places for you. If you are looking to build on a larger property with great views of the Santa Rita Mountains, then check out Stone House. If your family is growing and more space is needed, then check out Santa Cruz Meadows

“Our town offers so much, from the beautiful Madera Canyon landscape, to the schools and athletics programs for youth, to community-wide events. Sahuarita has the small town feel with

or part of Madera Highlands. No matter where you find yourself in life’s journey, there’s a place for you

big town benefits.”

to live here in Sahuarita.

Angela - Madera Highlands Neighborhood

“I really believe this town is one of Arizona’s best kept secrets in terms of quality of life.

Community spirit, beautiful landscapes, abounding outdoor opportunities, active, healthful lifestyles—these are the things that are drawing businesses and residents to Sahuarita.

Come see us sometime—you’re gonna love it here!”

L. Kelly Udall, Town Manager

W W W. S A H U A R I TA A Z . G O V