Apache Junction is a city in Maricopa and Pinal counties in the State of Arizona. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city was 35,840,[1] most of whom lived in Pinal County.
Apache Junction is named for the junction of the Apache Trail and U.S. Route 60. Superstition Mountain, the westernmost peak of the Superstition Mountains, is nearby.
Geography
Apache Junction is at 33°24′54″N 111°32′46″W / 33.415035°N 111.546025°W / 33.415035; -111.546025.[3]
Apache Junction is located in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 34.2 square miles (89 km2), all land.
The town is bounded by the Superstition Mountains (a federal wilderness area and home of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine) on the east, the Goldfield Mountains with the Bulldog Recreation Area on the north and the city of Mesa on the west. Goldfield Ghost Town, a tourist location preserved from former prospecting days, lies near the western face of Superstition Mountain just off Highway 88 (Apache Trail). It is located just southwest of the site of the ghost town of Goldfield, Arizona.[4]
Demographics
| Historical population |
| Census | Pop. | | %± |
| 1970 | 3,863 | | — |
| 1980 | 9,935 | | 157.2% |
| 1990 | 18,092 | | 82.1% |
| 2000 | 31,814 | | 75.8% |
| 2010 | 35,840 | | 12.7% |
| Est. 2014 | 38,131 | [5] | 6.4% |
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
2014 Estimate[2][7] |
As of the census of 2010, there were 35,840 people, 15,574 households, and 9,372 families residing in the city. The population density was 929.3 people per square mile (358.9/km²). There were 22,771 housing units at an average density of 665.1 per square mile (256.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.9% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.4% of the population.
There were 15,574 households out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population had 19.9% under the age of 20, 4.5% from 20 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.5 years.
The median income (as of the 2000 census) for a household in the city was $33,170, and the median income for a family was $37,726. Males had a median income of $31,283 versus $22,836 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,806. About 7.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Apache Junction was incorporated as a city on November 24, 1978. The city is governed by a collection of elected officials, clerk, and nine boards and commissions. The city council has seven members, which includes the mayor and vice-mayor. The mayor serves a two-year term. The mayor is John S. Insalaco, whose current term began June 2013.[8]
Historic structures
This gallery includes images of some of the remaining historical structures located in Apache Junction. Among the exhibits on the grounds of the Superstition Mountain Museum are studio sets and other Western paraphernalia that were save from the Apacheland fire of 1969. Apacheland was a 1,800-acre movie set which opened in 1960.[9] Also located in Apache junction is the ghost town of Goldfield. Goldfield was a mining town established in 1893 next to the Superstition Mountain. When the mine vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and the town eventually became a ghost town. The town and its historic buildings were revived as a tourist attraction.[10]
Historic Apache Junction, Arizona.
 Historic Apache Trail sign on Highway 88. |
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| Entrance to the Lost Dutchman State Park located at 6109 N. Apache Junction, Az. |
| The Lost Dutchman Mine, located in the Superstition Mountains was made famous by Jacob Waltz, who also known as the “Dutchman”. Waltz never told anyone the location where he obtained his gold and took the secret of his “mine” to his grave in 1891. Even today, treasure hunters scout the mountains searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine. |
| The Superstition Mountain Museum is located at 2087 N. Apache Trail in Apache Junction, Az. |
| The Elvis Memorial Chapel on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum. It was moved there from the Apacheland Movie Ranch. |
| The Audie Murphy Barn on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum. It was moved there from the Apacheland Movie Ranch. |
| A 19th Century Blacksmith shop adjacent to the Audie Murphy Barn. |
| A replica of a 19th Century Wells Fargo Bank located on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum. |
| A 19th Century Gallows located on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum. |
| A 19th Century Windmill located on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum. |
| Goldfield Ghost Town. Goldfield was a mining town established in 1893 next to the Superstition Mountain. When the mine vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and the town eventually became a ghost town. The town and its historic buildings were revived as a tourist attraction. The ghost town is located at 4650 N, Mammoth Mine Road in the town of Apache Junction, Az. |
| Entrance to the Goldfield Ghost Town. |
| The 19th century “Tower” used in the Goldfield mine. |
| The 19th Century Railroad Station of Goldfield. |
| Different view of the 19th Century Railroad Station of Goldfield. |
| A 19th Century abandoned building in Goldfield. |
| A 19th Century building in Goldfield. |
| A different view of Goldfield’s Main Street. |
| A different view of Goldfield’s Main Street. |
| Another view of Goldfield’s Main Street. |
| A 19th Century Saloon in Goldfield. |
| A 19th Century Church in Goldfield. |
| A 19th Century Water Tank in Goldfield. |
| A 19th Century Cantina-Bakery in Goldfield. |
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References
External links
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