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Surprise, Arizona

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Surprise, Arizona
City
Surprise Lake
"Bloom Where You're Planted"
Surprise Recreation Campus
Surprise City Hall
Surprise Public Library
Flag of Surprise, Arizona
Flag
Official seal of Surprise, Arizona
Logo
Location in Maricopa County, Arizona
Location in Maricopa County, Arizona
Surprise is located in Arizona
Surprise
Surprise
Location within Arizona
Surprise is located in the United States
Surprise
Surprise
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 33°37′50″N 112°22′00″W / 33.63056°N 112.36667°W / 33.63056; -112.36667
Country United States
State Arizona
CountyMaricopa
Founded1938
Incorporated (town)December 12, 1960 [1]
Government
 • TypeMayor-council government
 • MayorKevin Sartor
 • Vice MayorJack Hastings [2]
Area
[3]
 • Total
110.52 sq mi (286.25 km2)
 • Land110.30 sq mi (285.68 km2)
 • Water0.22 sq mi (0.57 km2)
Elevation
[4]
1,385 ft (422 m)
Population
 (2020)[5]
 • Total
143,148
 • RankUS: 189th
 • Density1,297.8/sq mi (501.08/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST (no DST))
ZIP codes
85374, 85378–85379, 85387–85388
Area code623
FIPS code04-71510
GNIS feature ID2412016[4]
Websitewww.surpriseaz.gov

Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. The population was 143,148 at the 2020 census,[5] up from 117,517 in 2010 and 30,848 in 2000.

History

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The city was founded in 1938 by Flora Mae Statler. Statler was the daughter of another Arizona pioneer, Charles Gillett, who helped found Glendale, specifically as a temperance community. Gillett owned much land in Glendale as well as the Verde Valley.[6][7] Surprise officials previously thought the city was founded by Statler's husband, real estate developer and state legislator Homer C. Ludden, but in 2010 property records were discovered which listed Statler owning the land before she met Ludden.[8] Modern records often state that Statler named her land Surprise as she "would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much,” with her daughter backing this claim.[9] This claim is contested, however, since it was common for pioneers to name their settlements after their hometowns and Ludden hailed from Surprise, Nebraska, possibly influencing the name of the town.[10]

When Surprise was subdivided to build inexpensive houses for agricultural workers, there were only a few houses and a gas station on the 1 square mile (2.6 km2) parcel of land. Since then, the town has experienced tremendous growth.[11] It incorporated as a city in 1960. The original townsite is bounded by Greenway Road on the south, El Mirage Road on the east, Bell Road on the north, and Dysart Road on the west.[12]

Surprise's City Hall is located on the site of Luke Air Force Base's former auxiliary airfield No. 3.[13] The outline of the former runways can still be seen from aerial photos today.[14]

In 2026, the US federal government planned to open a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Surprise. This plan saw widespread backlash, and residents of the city sought to stop its implementation. The city council refused to oppose the facility, leading to a petition to dissolve the city of Surprise and place it under direct control of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.[15] Arizona attorney general Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit in April 2026 claiming that the federal government failed to undergo an environmental review required by the National Environmental Policy Act before beginning construction on the camp. The camp's implementation was ultimately delayed for environmental reviews.[16]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 110.5 square miles (286 km2), of which 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2), or 0.20%, are water.[3]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19702,427—
19803,72353.4%
19907,12291.3%
200030,848333.1%
2010117,517281.0%
2020143,14821.8%
2024 (est.)167,564[17] Increase17.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
Surprise, Arizona – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[19] Pop 2010[20] Pop 2020[21] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 22,136 83,677 94,856 71.76% 71.20% 66.26%
Black or African American alone (NH) 744 5,648 7,404 2.41% 4.81% 5.17%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 95 543 786 0.31% 0.46% 0.55%
Asian alone (NH) 321 2,884 3,771 1.04% 2.45% 2.63%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 15 211 310 0.05% 0.18% 0.22%
Some other race alone (NH) 18 156 591 0.06% 0.13% 0.41%
Mixed-race or multi-racial (NH) 335 2,674 7,057 1.09% 2.28% 4.93%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7,184 21,724 28,373 23.29% 18.49% 19.82%
Total 30,848 117,517 143,148 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

Economy

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Southwest Railplex Industrial District

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There is a large business park as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) at the southeast corner of the city known as the Southwest Railplex industrial district.[22][23] This area has rail access to the BNSF Railway via the Phoenix Subdivision.[24][25][26] The United States Department of Homeland Security purchased a warehouse in this park intending to use it as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.[27] A Canadian company, GardaWorld, has been awarded a US$313 million contract to convert the warehouse.[28]

Largest employers

[edit]

According to the state of Arizona's 2023 COG employer database,[29] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of employees
1 Dysart Unified School District 1,760
2 City of Surprise 1,170
3 Wal-Mart 890
4 Sun Health Foundation 570
5 Fry's Food and Drug 550
6 Costco 370
7 The Home Depot 300
8 McDonald's 270
9 Safeway 240
10 Maricopa County 230

Arts and culture

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Surprise Regional Library, a $5.5 million, 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) library, is located in Surprise’s Recreation Campus. Surprise has two other city library branches, one in the original townsite (Hollyhock branch) and one in north Surprise (Asante branch).[30][31] On July 1, 2023, the city of Surprise created the Surprise Public Library systems, taking ownership of the three Maricopa County libraries within its borders.[32]

Surprise has a variety of public art installations across the city. Many public installations have been in collaboration with WHAM community art center, which is also in Surprise.[33] The city has several holiday events throughout the year, such as their Easter Eggstavaganza[34] and Sparkling Surprise Christmas event, which are both hosted at the city's recreation campus.[35] They also host several smaller community engagement events throughout the year such as Sundays in the Park and Lunchtime Theater.[36]

Parks and recreation

[edit]

The city has a 10,562-square-foot (981.2 m2) Aquatics Center as well as the smaller Hollyhock community pool.[37] Surprise’s Oasis Swim center opened on May 24, 2025. It includes six waterslides, an Olympic-sized pool, and a diving pool.[38] The city of Surprise has 17 city-owned parks across the city. Most notably Surprise Community Park on the recreation campus at city center. The 25-acre (10 ha) park hosts a playground, pickleball courts, basketball courts, a fishing lake, and dog parks.[39][40] As part of the city's Recreation Campus, Surprise is also home to the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex.[41]

Government

[edit]

Surprise is governed on the local level by a mayor and a six-member city council.[42] The mayor is elected at large, while the council members are elected from the six districts which they represent. All city council elections are officially nonpartisan. All representatives serve staggered four-year terms as of 1981.[43]

Education

[edit]

The Dysart Unified School District serves the majority of the city, with Nadaburg Unified School District servicing a small section of northern Surprise.[44][45] Ottawa University, a private, non-profit, Christian four-year university, opened in Surprise in 2017. It enrolled over 1000 students in 2022.[46]

Infrastructure

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Roads

[edit]
Mission Home Cemetery

Surprise is served by Loop 303 and U.S. Route 60.

Transportation

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Surprise is a member of Valley Metro. Valley Metro Bus operates route 571, an express bus between Surprise and Glendale. Surprise is also a member of WeRIDE, which operates demand-responsive transport in Peoria, Goodyear, Avondale, and Surprise but will end this service on July 1, 2025. The City decided to eliminate this service by citing that only 1% of residents utilized this service.[47][48]

Police

[edit]

The Surprise Police Department consists of a Patrol Operations Division, Agency Support Division, Criminal Investigations Division, and Tactical Support Division.[49]

Sun City Grand

[edit]

Sun City Grand (The Grand) is a 45+ active adult retirement community in the city of Surprise founded in 1996. The communities final homes were completed in 2005. Unlike other Del Webb communities in Arizona (Sun City and Sun City West), the Grand is not an unincorporated community led by community associations. The community boasts four golf courses and a variety of other amenities like pools and recreation centers.[50]

Mission Home Cemetery

[edit]

The Mission Home Cemetery, also known as the Sleeping Bride Cemetery, is a historic cemetery located in Surprise.[51][52]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "1,574 Found Population of Surprise". Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  2. ↑ "About Councilmember Hastings". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Arizona". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  4. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Surprise, Arizona
  5. 1 2 "Surprise city, Arizona: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  6. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form". Nps.com. November 23, 2005. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  7. ↑ Gillett, Charles E. (1929). Pioneering. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House.
  8. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin (August 28, 2010). "Historians: Flora Mae Statler, not husband, founded Surprise". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  9. ↑ "About Surprise". SurpriseAZ.Gov. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  10. ↑ Cohen, Paul Hubbs (April 30, 2005). "Surprise — How town was named". Newspapers.com. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Official Website - Surprise, Arizona". Surpriseaz.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2004. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Moving to Phoenix: Where Should You Live?". TripSavvy.
  13. ↑ "Map of Phoenix, AZ in 1954 | Pastmaps". pastmaps.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ Cranmer, Hal (November 5, 2019). "The History of Surprise AZ". A Paradise for Parents. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  15. ↑ Gomez, Gloria Rebecca (June 17, 2026). "Frustrated by inaction on ICE warehouse, activists move to dissolve Surprise altogether". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  16. ↑ Baker, David; Dominguez, Alexis (July 1, 2026). "DHS agrees to pause proposed ICE facility in Surprise". AZ Family. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". Census.gov. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  19. ↑ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Surprise city, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Surprise city, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Surprise city, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ↑ Economic Development - Site Selection - Incentives. City of Surprise, retrieved February 17, 2026
  23. ↑ Railplex Development Map (PDF). City of Surprise, retrieved February 17, 2026
  24. ↑ Southwest Railplex Industrial Park Surprise, Arizona. BNSF Railway, retrieved February 17, 2026
  25. ↑ Mohr Capital completes rail-capable West Summit at Surprise. AZ Big Media, October 10, 2024
  26. ↑ BNSF railway certification earned in Surprise, Arizona. Greater Phoenix Economic Council, December 9, 2019
  27. ↑ Webb, Brian - $313M ICE detention facility planned for Arizona warehouse divides community. Fox 10 Phoenix KSAZ-TV, March 12, 2026
  28. ↑ Ingram, Paul - ICE awards $313 million contract to turn Surprise, Az warehouse into migrant detention site. Tucson Sentinel, March 12, 2026
  29. ↑ "Business, Jobs, and Industry Explorer". azmag.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Surprise Public Library". Surprisepubliclibrary.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  31. ↑ Republic, Nancy Alcock; Special for The. "History: What was Surprise's 1st library?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 2, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. ↑ Zarate, Isabella (July 21, 2023). "Surprise enters new chapter with city-owned libraries". subscribe.azcentral.com. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Art in Public Places". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Spring Eggstravaganza". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Sparking Surprise". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Events and Programs". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Municipal Pools". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Aquatics | Surprise, AZ - Official Website". surpriseaz.gov. Archived from the original on March 16, 2025. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Surprise City Parks". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Parks & Facilities". Surpriseaz.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Tennis & Racquet Complex – Official Website – Surprise, Arizona". Surpriseaz.gov.
  42. ↑ "Surprise City Council – Official Website – Surprise, Arizona". Surpriseaz.gov.
  43. ↑ "Veteran mayor wins seventh term in Surprise". Arizona Republic. June 16, 1979. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Municipalities and Schools within the PUSD." (Archive) Peoria Unified School District. Retrieved on October 18, 2012.
  45. ↑ "District Map". Nadaburg Unified School District. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  46. ↑ "IPEDS DATA FEEDBACK REPORT — Ottawa University-Surprise". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  47. ↑ [dead link]
  48. ↑ Jr, David Ulloa. "$2 shuttle rides were a lifeline for residents. Why did this AZ city abruptly cancel service?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Surprise Police Department – Official Website – Surprise, Arizona". Surpriseaz.gov.
  50. ↑ "About Sun City Grand". Suncitygrand-realestate.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  51. ↑ "Who's buried in Surprise". AZCentral. May 8, 2014.
  52. ↑ "Mission Home Cemetery". American Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project. Neal Du Shane. December 26, 2011.
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