Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Tucson. According to the 2010 census, the population of the town was 41,011, an increase from 29,700 in 2000 census. Dubbed the “Upscale Tech Mecca” of Southern Arizona by the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, Oro Valley is home to over 10 high tech firms and has a median household income nearly 50% higher than the U.S. median.
Oro Valley is situated in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains at the base of Pusch Ridge and borders the beautiful Catalina State Park. The Tortolita Mountains are located north of the town, and vistas of the Tucson valley are to the south. The town occupies the middle Cañada del Oro Valley. Oro Valley hosts a large numberof residents from around the U.S. who maintain second or winter homes in the town.
The town hosted the 2006 Pac-10 Women’s Golf Championships at the Oro Valley Country Club. Oro Valley Country Club was also the site for the 2006 Girl’s Junior America’s Cup, a major amateur golf tournament for the Western United States. Annual events in Oro Valley include the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts, Oro Valley Music Festival, El Tour de Tucson bicycle race, the Tucson Marathon, the Cactus Speed Classic for inline skaters, and the Arizona Distance Classic.
In 2017 Oro Valley was ranked as one of the top 10 most successful cities in Arizona (#8). With a population of roughly 41,500, Oro Valley residents have a median household income of $74,480. The poverty level is at 6 percent- slightly higher than Marana- and unemployment is at 7.4 percent.