Surprise, Arizona

Surprise: The seventh most populous city in Arizona. It is located in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Surprise is known for its many retirement communities, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the Surprise Stadium and the Surprise Civic Center.

About

Surprise is a city located in the county of Maricopa in the U.S. state of Arizona. Its population at the 2010 census was 117,517. After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 147,965 inhabitants.

The city was created 87 years ago in 1936.

Surprise is a city located along the western region of metropolitan Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. With over 147,000 residents, Surprise is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

History

The Surprise area was inhabited by Native American tribes for centuries before settlers of European descent arrived in the 1800s. Surprise was founded in 1938 by Flora Mae Statler who named the town Surprise to describe her reaction at having to move there.

Surprise remained a small farming community until experiencing massive growth starting in the 1990s. Affordable housing attracted many new residents from other states.

Economy and Development

Some major economic drivers in Surprise include:

  • Several master-planned communities with amenities like golf courses and recreation centers
  • Surprise Stadium - Spring training home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals MLB teams
  • Large healthcare and government employers like Banner Health and Surprise City Hall
  • New shopping centers and malls along the Bell Road corridor

Demographics

Surprise has become one of America’s more diverse cities with about 65% white residents and 30% Hispanic or Latino heritage. Senior citizens over 55 are also drawn to Surprise's warm climate and active adult communities.

In summary, Surprise transformed rapidly from a tiny farming town into a thriving Phoenix suburb with sports, healthcare, retail, residential growth and a diverse population.

Surprise locator map
Location of Surprise on Arizona map.

Quick Facts about Surprise

Population : 147,965 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Arizona (United States)
County : Maricopa County
Phone Area Codes : 623
Water as percent of area : 0.12%
Land as percent of area : 99.88%
Altitude : 1,175 feet / 358 meters
Establishment : January 01, 1937 (87 years ago)
Time Zone : Mountain Time Zone
Local time : 08:41:00 (28th March 2024)
Postal code : 85374
Population growth : 20.58% (2010-2020)
City Hall - Surprise  AZ  USA 2250094 image
City Hall - Surprise AZ USA 2250094
City Hall - Surprise  AZ  USA 2250094 image

Geography

Surprise is located at 33°37'50"N 112°19'60"W (33.6305900, -112.3332200).

Surprise map

Demographics

The population of Surprise increased by 20.58% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 117,517 - census
2011 119,617 1.76% estimation process
2012 122,266 2.17% estimation process
2013 125,035 2.21% estimation process
2014 127,880 2.22% estimation process
2015 130,336 1.88% estimation process
2016 132,846 1.89% estimation process
2017 134,781 1.44% estimation process
2018 137,717 2.13% estimation process
2019 141,664 2.79% estimation process
2020 147,965 4.26% estimation process

Surprise zip code is 85374. County name: Maricopa, County fips: 04013

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People born in Surprise (2)

People born in Surprise, including Filipina-author of speculative fiction Alyssa Wong, basketball player Colleen Planeta, .

List

Schools in Surprise

College & universities near Surprise, AZ

Code Name City ZIP
464226 Ottawa University-Surprise Surprise (AZ) 85374
490452 Kor Beauty Academy Peoria (AZ) 85382-4958
105899 Arizona Christian University Glendale (AZ) 85306-3216
423643 Midwestern University-Glendale Glendale (AZ) 85308
104708 Glendale Community College Glendale (AZ) 85302

Stations (5)

Amtrak & bus stations near Surprise, AZ

Code Name Address Type
PXN Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona 9617 North Metro Parkway West BUS
PHG Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona 2115 East Buckeye Road BUS
PHA Phoenix (Airport), Arizona 3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd. BUS
MRC Maricopa 19427 N. John Wayne Parkway RAIL
CVD Camp Verde, Arizona 1613 Finnie Flats Rd BUS

Post offices near Surprise

Post Office Name City ZIP
Surprise Dysart Retail Post Office Surprise (AZ) 85378
El Mirag Post Office El Mirage (AZ) 85335
Sun City W Post Office Sun City West (AZ) 85375
Surpr Post Office Surprise (AZ) 85374
Youngtown Post Office Youngtown (AZ) 85363

Other places with the same name (2)

  • Surprise , Nebraska city in Butler County, Nebraska, United States of America with a population of 40 people.

Other cities in Maricopa County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Maricopa County , AZ. (more)

City Name Population Title
Phoenix 1,708,127 The fifth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Mesa 528,159 The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Mesa metropolitan area.
Chandler 265,398 The second most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Scottsdale 262,647 The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Scottsdale metropolitan area.
Gilbert 257,658 The fifth most populous city in Arizona.
Glendale 255,307 The second most populous city in Arizona.
Maryvale 208,189 Urban village in Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Tempe 200,402 The third most populous city in Arizona.
Peoria 179,872 The second most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Tempe Junction 158,368 A census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Goodyear 90,622 The most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Avondale 88,914 The most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Buckeye 85,224 Town in Maricopa County, Arizona
Queen Creek 60,097 Town in Arizona, United States
Sun City 37,499 Census designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
El Mirage 36,481 City in Arizona

Distance to Other Cities

Surprise distances to largest Arizona cities