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 88 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.
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 (88 years ago) |
| Time Zone : | Mountain Time Zone |
| Local time : | 18:13:37 (23rd May 2025) |
| Postal code : | 85374 |
| Population growth : | 20.58% (2010-2020) |
Geography
Surprise is located at 33°37'50"N 112°19'60"W (33.6305900, -112.3332200).
Surprise map
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- Official Website
Official website of Surprise
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 |
Other Places in Surprise
1 City of Surprise: Police Department
14250 W Statler Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +16232224000 🔗 Url
2 Surprise City Hall
16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +16232221000 🔗 Url
3 City of Surprise Mayor & Council
16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +16022221300 🔗 Url
4 City of Surprise Customer Services Center
16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +16022226000 🔗 Url
5 City of Surprise Intergovernment Relations
16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +16022223600 🔗 Url
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
