Northwest Tucson includes the growing areas of Oro Valley and Marana.
Oro Valley is situated in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains at the base of Pusch Ridge. North of the town are the Tortolita Mountains, and vistas of the Tucson valley are to the south. Long a resort town, Oro Valley was incorporated in 1974, and is currently home to about 23,000 people.
Oro Valley is world-famous for its golf, with several of the areas courses ranked highly in respected golfing publications. Alongside its five golf courses, Oro Valley has the Sheraton El Conquistador, one of the finest resorts in the Tucson area. Golfers have many more courses to explore in the surrounding area; residents have the time to enjoy them to the full and develop their game over time.
The gorgeous desert climate and outdoor lifestyle are appreciated by all, as is Oro Valley’s small town atmosphere. It is rated one of the safest towns in Arizona and residents enjoy the active community life of their town while being conveniently close to Tucson and all that the big city has to offer.
Many tech companies are relocating to the town. Dubbed the "Upscale Tech Mecca" of Southern Arizona by the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, Oro Valley is home to over 10 high tech firms and has a median household income nearly 50% higher than the U.S. median.
In 2005 Oro Valley was named one of "America's Top-Rated Smaller Cities" in the publication by Grey House Publishing. The publication specifically noted the excellence of Oro Valley's schools, medical facilities, and golf courses. Furthermore, Oro Valley was the only community in Arizona to be named to the list.
Oro Valley boasts a stellar public school system, with schools achieving in the top one-third tier in the state of Arizona. Student-to-teacher ratios are low, and a variety of extracurricular programs are offered, such as arts, music and sports programs. Read more about Oro Valley.
Incorporated in 1977, Marana is a town to the northwest of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona. Marana was named for the Spanish word maraña ('thicket') by 19th century railroad workers who had to clear a line through the area. Read more about Marana.
According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 26,098. Marana was the fourth fastest-growing place among all cities and towns in Arizona of any size from 1990 to 2000. The metro population of Marana is very large, due to its connections to Tucson, Dove Mountain, Rancho Vistoso, Picture Rocks, and Avra Valley.
The town extends along Interstate 10 from the border between Pinal and Pima County to the Tucson city line, which starts around Rillito River. While the city has a more rural character than Tucson, it has been extensively developed. Many of the Tucson area's big box stores are located in or near Marana, and notable clusters of hotels and restaurants have been built along I-10. The famed Ritz Carlton Hotel is due to open in the near future.
The Tucson Mountains and the western half of Saguaro National Park are located to the west. Southern Marana has grown much over the past few years, especially commercially.
Marana has a public school system consisting of 16 schools that is coordinated by the Marana Unified School District. Find out more about Marana schools.
Marana is host to the PGA Tour's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, an event that includes 64 of the world's best professional golfers. The tournament will remain in Marana through at least 2010.
Marana is home to the 16-acre master planned community of Gladden Farms located at the south end of Lon Adams Road. The Community Park features two Little League fields, soccer fields, restroom facilities, separate shaded play structures for toddlers and older children, orchard-landscaped picnic areas and ramadas.
