Tempe is a city in Maricopa County. Tempe has an ideal location.  The city is surrounded by many Valley of the Sun cities.  It is bordered by the city of Phoenix on the west, Scottsdale to the north, Mesa to the east, and Chandler to the south.  Tempe is in the middle of it all. It is located approximately 6 miles from Phoenix and minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport.  Tempe is the fifth largest city in Arizona.

The city is packed with history, culture, shopping, dining, nightlife, sports and special events. Treat yourself to an ASU football game, go on a shopping spree at Arizona Mills or the largest IKEA on the West Coast, kayak on Tempe Town Lake, enjoy a Broadway performance at ASU Gammage, hike in the picturesque Papago Park or simply lounge by the pool. Or plan your trip around one of our fun-filled annual events such as theTempe Festival of the Arts or P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.

Tempe Community Services oversees most of the following and offers a seasonal program of recreation and activities for all ages. 1,100 acres in 47 parks and other facilities, including two municipal-owned golf courses. Kiwanis Park125 acres Gymnasium, Small lake for fishing and sailing, Tennis Courts, 54,000 sq. ft. recreation center, Volleyball Court, Wave Pool, Papago Park - Rolling Hills Golf Course. Proposed Rio Salado Project with a 5.5 mile recreational and commercial development area, Pyle Adult Recreation Center L, Desert Botanical Gardens, The Phoenix Zoo, Healthcare, Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital: 110-bed community hospital offering 24-hour emergency care, Level II Trauma. Variety of skilled nursing homes and retirement communities.

There are nearly 50 elementary and middle schools, and seven high schools in the Tempe Public School District and Kyrene District. Additionally, there are several private elementary and high schools. Aside from ASU. there are also other institutions of higher learning in Tempe, including community colleges and private technical and vocational schools.

Housing Cost

Single family housing; 3 bedrooms; 2 bath; range $225,000 – $2,500,000. Condo; patio home; town homes; lofts, 3 bedrooms; 2 bath; range $155,000 – $599,000. Commercial 4 plexes range $300,000 - $500,000.

Since Tempe is surrounded on all sides by other cities and towns, there's not much room for expansion, and, therefore, there are not as many new subdivisions as in other communities of the Greater Phoenix area.

Several areas in Tempe provide unique living environments. Buena Vista Ranchos has homes designed with corrals to keep horses in your own yard. It also contains a jumping course located in a park. The Lakes subdivision offers homes built around several manmade lakes. Pecan Grove offers homes in the shade of a multitude of pecan trees.

Demographics

Estimated population in July 2005: 161,143. Tempe covers 40.2 square miles.  It sits at an elevation of 1,495 feet above sea level.

Climate

Tempe, AZ climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 99.90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 37.60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 26 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Tempe is 16.89 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is March with an average rainfall of 2.35 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com