Tucson is a city known for its beautiful climate, with an average of 350 sunny days per year, and is bordered on all sides by state parks
City: Tucson
State: Arizona
Best Cities Overall Rank: 52
About Tucson:
Tucson averages 350 sunny days per year and is bordered on all sides by natural areas, including Coronado National Forest, Catalina State Park, Ironwood Forest National Monument, and Saguaro National Park.
Tucson’s great climate makes it ideal for holding an eclectic range of outdoor events, including: the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossils Showcase, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo, the Southwest Wings and Birding Festival, and the New Year’s Competition Powwow.
County: Pima
Population: 541,811
Official website for city visitors’ bureau/city: Visitors’ bureau website
Newspaper with the largest circulation: Tucson Citizen
Tucson blogs:
Tucson‘s Facebook page: Follow Tucson on Facebook
Tucson‘s Twitter page: Follow Tucson on Twitter
Education rank: 78
High School graduation rate 2008: 85%
Blue Ribbon Schools, 2003-2009: 6
Blue Ribbon Schools per 100,000 people: 1.11
NEAYC-accredited preschools: 51
NAEYC schools per 100,000 people: 9.41
NAEP State proficiency reading, grade 8: 258
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 17.10
Total Expenditures Per Student: $8,412
Health rank: 70
Quality children’s hospitals: 1
Hospitals per 100,000 people: 0.18
Quality Pediatricians: 0
Quality Pediatricians per 100,000: 0
Average number of Unhealthy Air Quality days between 2006-2008, by county: 0
Safety rank: 19
Violent Crimes, 2008: 4252
Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 784.78
Sex Offenders: 375
Sex Offenders per 100,000: 69.21
Economy rank: 60
Travel time to work, 2006-2008, in minutes: 21.9
Percent of labor force unemployed, January 2010: 8.90
Best Performing Cities Job Index: 863.54
Median Home Sale Price: $142,800
5-Year Home Value Index: -2.27%
Percent of homes sold for a loss: 31.07%
Recreation Rank: 82
Parkland acreage, 2008 (includes pools and playgrounds): 3,319
Parkland per 100,000: 612.58
