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Surprise, Arizona

Located in Maricopa County, Arizona, Surprise was established in 1938. Surprise grew from under 1,000 in 1960 to nearly 180,000—over 17,000% growth. Named by its founder who doubted it would ever amount to anything.
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Founded 1938 | Population 179,149 | Peak 179,149 (2024) | County Maricopa County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Surprise, Arizona

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1938 Flora Mae Statler Founds Town: Founder said she'd be 'surprised' if it ever amounted to much.
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1990 Sun City Grand Begins: Del Webb retirement community triggers explosive growth.
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2002 Surprise Stadium Opens: Rangers and Royals make it their Cactus League spring training home.
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2003 Fastest-Growing City: Population explodes from 30,000 to 80,000 in five years.
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2008 Housing Crisis Hits Hard: Great Recession devastates Phoenix suburbs.
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Latest News in Surprise

Jan 1, 1970
Shattering the Myth: Cesar Chavez’s Dark Secrets Exposed
The recent surge of abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez has ignited a firestorm of criticism from prominent Latino leaders, who…
Jan 1, 1970
Toughest Sheriff America Endorses Donald Trump
PHOENIX, Arizona – On May 21, 2016, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the controversial Maricopa County lawman often dubbed America’s to…
Jan 1, 1970
Young Woman Takes Selfies After Boyfriend Crashes Car Going 112 Miles Hour
PHOENIX, April 8, 2016 — In a story that left people scratching their heads, a 22-year-old woman snapped selfies right after her…
Jan 1, 1970
Trumps Favorability Among Republicans Rise
Washington, D.C. – April 6, 2016 Donald Trump’s standing with Republican voters got a boost this week, as polls showed…
Jan 1, 1970
Wisconsin Begins Drug Testing Food Stamp Recipients
MADISON, Wis. — On March 24, 2016, Wisconsin became the latest state to roll out a controversial drug-testing requirement for ce…
Jan 1, 1970
Arizona Sheriff We Need Armed Citizens Ready Take Down Mass Shooters
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 21, 2016, an Arizona sheriff stirred up controversy with a call for everyday citizens to arm themselve…

Complete Historical Timeline

1938 Culture
Flora Mae Statler Founds Town
1990 Business
Sun City Grand Begins
2002 Sports
Surprise Stadium Opens
2003 Business
Fastest-Growing City
2008 Business
Housing Crisis Hits Hard

Did You Know?

1
Surprise grew from under 1,000 in 1960 to nearly 180,000—over 17,000% growth.
2
Named by its founder who doubted it would ever amount to anything.
3
Like all of Arizona, Surprise doesn't observe daylight saving time.
4
Surprise is located in Maricopa County, Arizona.
5
Surprise was founded in 1938.

Other Cities in Arizona

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Phoenix
Pop. 1,608,139
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M
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G
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C
Chandler
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G
Glendale
Pop. 262,745
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