Nogales/Rio Rico

HISTORY

Nogales was founded in 1880 by Jacob and Isaac Isaacson, who build a trading post along the Arizona-Mexican border. Two years later, the town became the first rail connection between Mexico and the United States. Today Nogales is a major border crossing to colorful Mexico. Just north of Nogales, Rio Rico Golf Resort lures winter visitors.
 Rio Rico

This 39,000-acre planned community flows along the gentle foothills of the picturesque Santa Rita Mountains and San Cayetano Foothills, west to the Santa Cruz River. Spanish and Native American families lived in the area for generations before the American Revolution, and the area continues to grow with a steady influx of retirees, tourists and new businesses.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

Nogales is both the economic capital and the county seat of Santa Cruz County. The town cooperates with its sister city of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, in one of the largest manufacturing clusters in the Southwest and International commerce is important to the town's economy. Nogales is one of the largest ports of entry between the United States and Mexico with almost 50 percent of the nation's produce passing through its gateways each year. Nogales, Arizona is also an important retail hub for northern Mexico with an estimated 60 percent of sales tax revenue coming from the 50,000 shoppers from Mexico who cross the border daily.

In the outlying area along the Santa Cruz River Valley, numerous resorts, guest ranches and bed-and-breakfast inns offer everything from golf to spa treatments, and even lodging facilities for horses. Neighboring Rio Rico has a 256-acre industrial park, and the 544-acre Rio Rico commercial area and shopping center serves tourists and residents.

STATISTICS: Nogales
Population: 21,240
Incorporated: 1893
County: Santa Cruz
Elevation: 3,865 feet
Total Area: 20.8 square miles
Average July High: 92
Average January Low: 27
Average Yearly Precipitation: 16.57 inches
Median Household Income: 422.306
Median Age: 30
City Sales Tax: 1.25%
Cable Internet Service: No
Fiber Optics: Yes
(information current as of 6/2004)

Rio Rico Population: 11,087
Incorporated: No
County: Santa Cruz
Average July High: 92
Average January Low: 27
Average Yearly Precipitation: 16.57 inches
City Sales Tax: 0%
Cable Internet Service: No
Fiber Optics: No
(information current as of 6/2004)

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS

The Pimeria Alta Historical Society Museum is housed in Nogales' original historic city hall. A short walk across the border, shoppers have access to the colorful markets of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Just north of Nogales, the Rio Rico Golf Resort offers golf, tennis and horseback riding. Nearby are Parker Canyon, Pena Blanca Lake and Patagonia Lake State Park, and there are many ghost towns and mining camps to explore in the area. The annual Mariachi Festival in Nogales features regional Mariachi bands, great food, entertainment and lots of fun. In May, Cinco De Mayo is a festive celebration of Mexico's Independence Day celebration.