Why We Live Here
Apache Junction is located about forty miles east of downtown Phoenix and is home to the majestic Superstition Mountains. The area is steeped in history, legends and lore, and was once a hot spot for the movie industry. Apache Junction has lured gold seekers from around the world with stories of an ol’ miner named Jacob Waltz, also known as the “Dutchman,” who claimed to have extracted a bounty of gold from the Superstition Mountains back in the late 1800s. For over 100 years, people have flocked to Apache Junction and the Superstition Mountains in search of that “lost goldmine.”
Flanked by rugged mountains, vast deserts, and an endless expanse of outdoors, Apache Junction is one of the best places in Arizona to explore. If you’re there in the spring be sure to enjoy the lush desert vegetations, cacti, and wildflowers that are in bloom throughout the area. Whether you’re hiking, off-roading, or horseback riding, there are several places in Apache Junction that will take your breath away.
For more information, click here. For the city’s stats on housing, schools, the job market, and much more, click here.
- Incorporated 1978
- Elevation 1,722’
- Area 35.1sq. mi.
- County Pinal and Maricopa
- Website http://www.apachejunctionaz.gov`
- Population 44,641 (2021 est.)
- Population Density 1,272.9 per sq. mi.
- Median Age 52.2
- Families with Kids Under 18 29%
- Average Household Income $45,463
- Overall Cost of Living 96.6
History
Apache Junction began at an intersection on an unpaved stagecoach trail to the Superstition Mountains. Apache Junction became a historical landmark and scenic byway that was opened to the public in 1922 and is currently part of a 120 mile-long “circle trail” that begins and ends in Apache Junction.
Interesting Facts
The Apache Trail is known as one of the most scenic drives in the state of Arizona and was constructed to help supply the construction needs of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam—which was completed in 1911, a year prior to statehood. The dam’s construction was to support a fairly new commodity…electricity. In addition, the Roosevelt Dam is the catalyst for a series of recreational lakes along the Salt River that supply water to the Phoenix Metro area.
Major Attractions and Events
(See https://vacationidea.com/arizona/best-things-to-do-in-apache-junction.html.)
- Annual Lost Dutchman Day and Parade
- Annual Renaissance Festival
- Canyon Lake
- Gold Canyon Golf Resort
- Goldfield Ghost Town
- Superstition Mountains
Popular Restaurants
- Filly’s Roadhouse Restaurant & Lounge
- Los Gringos Locos