Gold Canyon, Arizona
Gold Canyon, Arizona | |
|---|---|
Location of Gold Canyon in Pinal County, Arizona | |
Gold Canyon, Arizona Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 33°21′43″N 111°27′6″W / 33.36194°N 111.45167°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Pinal |
| Area | |
• Total | 28.67 sq mi (74.26 km2) |
| • Land | 28.67 sq mi (74.26 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,913 ft (583 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,404 |
| • Density | 397.8/sq mi (153.58/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
| ZIP code | 85118[3] |
| Area code | 480 |
| FIPS code | 04-28120 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2408303[2] |
| Website | http://www.goldcanyon.net/ |
Gold Canyon is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community[4][5] in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The community is sometimes incorrectly called Gold Camp.[6]
The town name is referred to as Gold Camp on weather statements issued by the National Weather Service (as seen in citation).[6] The closest city to Gold Canyon is Apache Junction, Arizona.
Geography
Gold Canyon is located at 33°21′43″N 111°27′6″W / 33.36194°N 111.45167°W (33.361913, -111.451629).[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 22.3 square miles (57.8 km2), all land.
Gold Canyon is located on U.S. Route 60.
Peralta Regional Park, a Regional Park, is located in Gold Canyon, east of Peralta Road. The park is 498 acres in area.[8] The park was opened at 10:00 a.m. on January 11, 2023.[9]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11,404 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
At the 2000 census there were 6,029 people, 2,785 households, and 2,211 families in the CDP. (In 2007, the population was recounted and was declared 10,064.) The population density was 270.0 inhabitants per square mile (104.2/km2). There were 4,139 housing units at an average density of 185.4 per square mile (71.6/km2). The racial makup of the CDP was 96.2% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 3.5%.[11] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 2,785 households 13.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.8% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 16.1% of households were one person and 6.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.38.
The age distribution was 12.4% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 17.8% from 25 to 44, 37.0% from 45 to 64, and 29.8% 65 or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median household income was $57,705 and the median family income was $60,438. Males had a median income of $47,727 versus $31,583 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $35,010. About 2.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.[12]
History
Early history (Ancient & Native cultures)
Long before modern homes, the area around Gold Canyon was inhabited by Native peoples, especially the Salado culture around 1000 CE. They left behind:
~ Cliff dwellings
~ Petroglyphs (rock carvings)
~ Advanced pottery
These can still be seen today in nearby canyons like Hieroglyphic Canyon.
Wild West & gold legends (1800s)
The name “Gold Canyon” comes from the gold mining era in the nearby Superstition Mountainsduring the 1800s.
Key elements from this period:
- Spanish/Mexican miners (Peralta family) reportedly found gold in the 1800s
- The famous Lost Dutchman’s Mine legend (1870s) still attracts treasure hunters today
- Nearby Goldfield Ghost Town reflects the mining boom of the 1890s
This era gave the region its identity—mystery, gold, and rugged desert life.
Ranch land to development (1900s–present)
Unlike many Arizona towns, Gold Canyon is relatively new as a community:
- Originally used as cattle ranch land
- Little to no residential development until the late 20th century
- Major growth occurred from the 1980s through early 2000s, especially with:
~ Golf resorts, like the Gold Canyon Golf Resort and Spa.
Retirement communities, like MountainBrooke Village, Montesa and others.
Planned neighborhoods, like Entrada del Oro with builders like: Richmond America, DR Horton and KB Homes.
It remains an unincorporated community in Pinal County today, not an official city.
Note: Information provided with the help of ChatGPT.
Education
It is in the Apache Junction Unified School District.[13]
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gold Canyon, Arizona
- ^ "Gold Canyon ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "Gold Canyon - Pinal County". Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Gold Canyon Arizona Government". Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "National Weather Service Watch Warning Advisory Summary". forecast.weather.gov. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Peralta Regional Park | Pinal County, AZ". www.pinal.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "Peralta Regional Park opening event in Gold Canyon Jan. 11". The Daily Independent at YourValley.net. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Census Bureau fact sheet for Gold Camp". Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pinal County, AZ" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 7, 2024. - Text list