The People

In 1990, Arizona's growth rate was the second highest in the nation. (Only Nevada's was greater.) In rank among the states in population, Arizona moved from 24th place to 20th. The population density was 45.1 persons per square mile (17.4 per km2), slightly more than half that of the United States as a whole.

Whites made up 75.5 per cent of the population; American Indians, the largest non-white group, 4.9 per cent; and blacks, 3.1 per cent. People of Hispanic origin made up 25.3 per cent of the population.

One of the state's most distinctive urban developments, based largely on the sunny weather and dry climate, is the increase of planned retirement communities.

Annual events in Arizona
January-April
Arizona National Livestock Show in Phoenix (January); Fiesta Bowl football game in Glendale (January); Glendale Chocolate Affaire (February); Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg (February); La Fiesta de los Vaqueros rodeo in Tucson (February).
May-August
Wyatt Earp Days in Tombstone (May); Sedona-Verde Valley Astronomy Festival in Sedona (June); Prescott Frontier Days (July); Renaissance in the Pines Festival in Flagstaff (August).
September-December
Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock (September); Apache Jii Day in Globe-Miami (October); Anza Days in Tubac (October); Celebraciónes de la Gente in Flagstaff (October); London Bridge Days in Lake Havasu City (October); Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival in Yuma (November); Fiddler’s Jamboree in Salome (November).