Chandler Homes
Chandler’s history began when its founder, Dr. Alexander John Chandler, arrived in Prescott, the capital of the Arizona Territory, in 1887 as the first appointed veterinary surgeon to the region. Unfortunately, the entire southwest was experiencing a severe drought. Dr. Chandler found that he was unable to help the area’s cattle herds and resigned his post and made plans to move on to California. However, as he arrived in the small frontier town of Phoenix, a deluge of rain began to fall that halted all travel. Dr. Chandler watched from his hotel room as the desert blossomed into a fantastic array of renewed life. The doctor, moved by what he saw and the possibilities it foretold, reconsidered his resignation and canceled his departure.
Ongoing Development
Seeing the great changes that the rain brought to the parched soil, Dr. Chandler began to learn about irrigation methods. Returning with the financial backing of two Detroit friends, Dr. Chandler formed the Consolidated Canal Company. When the Granite Reef Dam to the southeast of Phoenix was completed in 1908, water from the Salt River was available for all canals to the south. Thousands of acres were put under cultivation, but there was still not enough water to keep the land from remaining dry. In 1911, the Roosevelt Dam was completed, but each landowner was restricted to irrigating only 160 acres.
Dr. Chandler was forced to subdivide his nearly 18,000 acre ranch and he began to advertise and marker his land to draw settlers to the area. He wisely hired a city planner and an architect to design a planned community with spacious lots, wide boulevards and a town green unique to the Southwest.
After the War
During World War II, Chandler's population doubled and reached 3,800 by 1950 -- the year Dr. Chandler passed away. On May 24, 1954, the status of Chandler was upgraded from town to City.
In recent years, Chandler's borders have been expanded and the population has boomed -- from 30,000 in 1980 to more than 200,000 today. The economic base of Chandler has been diversified. While agriculture is still somewhat of a vital element, Chandler now enjoys a strong manufacturing and electronics sector.
Our Community Today
Chandler, the high tech oasis of the “Silicon Desert,†located in the southeastern part of the Phoenix metro area, is one of the fastest growing urban centers in the nation. From its roots as an agrarian township, Chandler has flourished into a premier community known for its excellent residential and employment opportunities.
Trends for the Future
Population growth and economic change are occurring at a rapid rate. With the onset of economic recovery, the next few years will give rise to land-use decisions of fundamental importance. The right decisions will help our community succeed in establishing the economic and social vitality that have made the quality of life and the environment a successful place to live and work.
Demographics
Businesses find a favorable base of suppliers and support services, a location that provides a solid transportation and distribution base on a local and national basis. Successful companies are finding our community one of the places that can accommodate their expansion or relocation plans and provide the quality of life their family desires.
General Information
Population 208,631
Average Annualized Monthly Population Increase 800
Population Increase Since 1990 +
100%
Annual Growth Rate Nearly 5%
Area 71.5 square miles
Location 25 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix
Schools
Elementary/Junior High/High Schools
Chandler Unified School District
480-812-7000
Kyrene School District
480-496-4600
Mesa Unified School District
480-472-0000
Gilbert Unified School District
480-497-3300
Tempe Unified School District
480-839-0292
Utilities
Electric:
Arizona Public Service (APS) 602-250-1413
Salt River Project (SRP) 602-236-8888
Gas:
Southwest Gas 602-861-1999
Water/Sanitation:
City of Chandler 480-782-2280
Telephone:
Qwest Communications 1-800-244-1111
Cox Communications 602-277-1000
XO Communications 888-575-6398
Cable:
Cox Communications 602-277-1000
Qwest Communications 1-800-244-1111
To Purchase City of Chandler New Resident list or City of Chandler New Business Listing contact the City of Chandler at 480-782-2297
Quality of Life
What matters most to the business community and the people who live in our community? Quality of life. It's the measure of all the things that make a community great to live in. We are dedicated to insuring that the quality of life in our community remains a focal point for all. Click here to learn about our vision for our community's ongoing Economic Vitality, Educational Programs,
Health and Wellness, Public Safety, Welfare and our Environment.
Employment
Chandler is one of the fastest growing high-technology manufacturing cities in the west, which has helped it earn the nickname “The Silicon Desert.†The increasing presence of quality employers has added to this oasis of opportunity. Chandler also boasts fine dining and numerous upscale shopping opportunities.
Chandler’s pro-business character makes it one of the most desirable cities to live and do business. The work force is well educated and technologically skilled. More than 75% of the 30,000 manufacturing-sector workers are employed in high technology fields, the national average is 15%. Chandler is located in one of the fastest growing urban centers in the country.
Existing business and industry can utilize the many advantages Chandler has to offer. An expansive work force of young, well-educated individuals is available to current and future employers. More than 64 percent of Chandler’s population is between the ages of 18 and 54, with 75% of the adult population possessing some level of college education.
Businesses have 26 large industrial parks to choose from to acquire existing facilities or construct their own site with minimal delays. Retail space is more than eight million square feet and the annual disposable income in Chandler is more than $3 billion.
Education
Excellence is more than just a motto in Chandler schools, - it is a daily pursuit. The outstanding educational programs offered throughout the district have resulted in nearly all of its schools being awarded citations for excellence by outside organizations, including the Arizona Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Chandler students consistently have test scores higher than state and national averages. The Chandler schools are becoming some of the most technologically advanced schools in the entire country
Health and Well-Being
Chandler's Parks and Recreation system was named tops in the country in 1998 for its programs (National Recreation and Parks Associate Gold Medal Award), facilities and philosophy toward the importance of offering a wide variety of amenities to the community. Chandler's planning includes developing one neighborhood park in each square mile of the City. Recreation facilities include:
Chandler's fourth major aquatics complex, with a fifth in the design stage;
A skate park, built with input from Chandler's youth;
6.5-mile system of parks and trails along the Consolidated Canal;
A Jack Nicklaus-designed municipal golf complex, featuring 36 holes of golf;
A second major library branch;
A new club house at Chandler's Regional Tennis Center.
Public Safety and Welfare
Chandler is a very safe community. Recently named the safest city in the state and the 72nd safest city in the country by a national research firm, Chandler's crime rate dropped more than 10 percent last year. Chandler is also one of just a handful of agencies in the U.S. to boast a nationally accredited police and fire departments.
Source: Chandler Chamber Of Commerce
