Surprise, Arizona is a city located in Maricopa County, about 30 miles northwest of Phoenix. According to the Wikipedia page, Surprise had a population of 138,161 as of the 2020 census, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Arizona.
Population and Demographics
The population of Surprise has exploded in recent years. Back in 1990, the city had just over 7,000 residents. By 2000 that number grew to 30,000 and then nearly doubled to over 75,000 by 2010. The most recent census in 2020 counted over 138,000 residents living in Surprise.
This rapid growth is likely due to the affordable housing prices and quality of life found in Surprise compared to nearby Phoenix. The city has attracted many retirees and families looking for a more peaceful suburban lifestyle with access to city amenities.
According to 2019 estimates from the City of Surprise government website, the racial makeup of the city is:
- 82.5% White
- 5.3% Black or African American
- 4.9% Asian
- 0.3% Native American
- 0.1% Pacific Islander
- 3.8% Other Race
- 3.0% Two or More Races
- 30.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
The median age in Surprise is 40.8 years old. 22.5% of the population is aged 65 or older, likely reflecting the popularity of Surprise as a retirement destination. For comparison, only 15% of Arizona’s total population is over 65.
Economy and Major Employers
Historically, Surprise’s economy depended on agriculture and citrus groves. However, as the Phoenix metropolitan area expanded, the economy shifted towards more service-oriented businesses and healthcare. Several major companies have large regional facilities located in Surprise:
- Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center – hospital and Level II trauma center
- Concordia Life Care Community – senior living center
- Dysart Unified School District – public school system for the area
- Fry’s Food Stores – regional grocery store chain
- Luke Air Force Base – military base located 15 miles west of the city
In recent years, Surprise has also seen more technology companies move into the area. Companies like Infusionsoft, OneForma, and Isagenix have established offices or headquarters in Surprise, bringing more high-paying jobs to the local economy.
Attractions and Things to Do
Despite its rapid growth, Surprise has maintained a small-town feel and has many community amenities and attractions for visitors and residents to enjoy, such as:
- Surprise Aquatic Center – large recreational aquatic park
- Surprise Stadium – spring training facility for the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals MLB teams
- Surprise Recreation Campus – fitness center, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and more
- Surprise Dog Parks – the city has 6 off-leash dog parks for pets to play
- The Way Out West Art Museum – exhibits contemporary Western art
- West Valley Arts Council – promotes arts and cultural events in the region
In addition, Surprise hosts many annual community events throughout the year like parades, concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
Sports Teams and Entertainment
As mentioned previously, Surprise is home to the spring training facilities for both the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals baseball teams. The Rangers play at Surprise Stadium while the Royals are based out of Surprise Recreation Campus. Both facilities host MLB exhibition games each March.
In addition, the city has a very active adult sports league scene with baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball leagues running year-round. There are also youth sports programs and Pop Warner football and little league baseball teams.
For entertainment, most major concerts and shows happen in nearby Phoenix. However, Surprise does have some excellent local performing arts groups like the Surprise Community Arts Theatre and the West Valley Pops Orchestra.
Surprise Community Links
To learn more about Surprise, Arizona, check out the following links:
- City of Surprise Facebook Page
- Surprise Suns – Local News Site
- Surprise City Government Website
- Visit Surprise – Tourism Website