Settled in the late 1800s, Oro Valley, Arizona has long been known for stunning views, historic attractions and more. The Oro Valley community is quite diverse and has grown in recent years. What should you know about Oro Valley?

Oro Valley Population Statistics

The population of Oro Valley is estimated to be about 45,000, based on 2008 figures. In contrast, the population for surrounding Pima County was estimated at more than 1,000,000, largely due to the heavy population center of Tucson, which lies about 6 miles south of Oro Valley.

The community has an average unemployment rate of 3.6%, or about 600 persons in the city. The civilian labor force numbers greater than 16,000 persons do, as well. The largest employer in the area is the government, with utility services and transportation services coming in a close second. You will also find that business services and hospitality services constitute large portions of the local economy. Of course, manufacturing and biotechnology are also significant presences in the community.

Oro Valley has been rated as the fifth fastest growing city in Arizona, though growth has slowed somewhat with the recent economic troubles that have plagued the nation. The Oro Valley population is largely white, with more than 93% of the population claiming this ethnicity. African Americans make up less than 1% of the population, Native Americans make up almost 2%, Asian ethnicities come in at .12% and Pacific Islanders make up 1.83%.

The economy of the area has largely become dependent on manufacturing and biotechnology. Oro Valley’s famed center of high technology is Innovation Park, which features both biotech and medical enterprises. The median age for residents is about 45 years of age, though a significant portion of the population is younger than this. These younger workers are the driving force behind much of the economic change here.