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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.

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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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.

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