Ahwatukee, ("Ahwatukee Foothills Village") is an "L"-shaped bedroom community bordered to the north by South Mountain Park, to the east by Interstate 10 and the cities of Chandler and Tempe, and to the south by the Gila River Indian Community. Although annexed by the City of Phoenix, Arizona from 1978 to 1987 before any substantial residential growth, many of its residents consider it a separate city. It is currently one of the City of Phoenix's 15 urban villages. The 35.8 square-mile (92.7 km²) village currently has a population of approximately 85,000 people.

History

One of the area's first residents were a Mr. and Mrs. W.V.B. Ames. In 1921, they built a house on approximately 2,000 acres (8.1 km²). They also gave the area its original Spanish name, Casa de Sueños, meaning "house of dreams." After the Ames' death, the property changed hands and names--Helen Brinton retranslated it to Crow Indian in 1935. The area was purchased in 1971 by the Presley Development Company who extensively developed it.

Other parcels of land were owned by International Harvester, who owned an equipment testing facility from 1947 to 1983, and the State of Arizona, which has sold state trust land in controversial auctions.

Neighborhood characteristics

Ahwatukee has been recognized by Money Magazine as one of its "Best Places to Live". As of April 2005, the median home price in the community is $315,000, second only to Scottsdale among cities in the Phoenix Metro area in terms of housing prices.

The village falls within three zip codes:
85044 (population 40,000)- Covers the east, closest to the I-10 freeway. It has a median income of approximately $60,000.
85048 (35,000)- Covers the village's center. It has a median income of approximately $85,000.
85045 (5,000)- Covers the far western edge. It has a median income of approximately $100,000.

Schools

Ahwatukee's strong education system helps give it an excellent reputation as a place to live. The area's K-8 Students are served by the Kyrene School District. High School students go to one of two in the area: Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe. Both schools are operated by the Tempe Union High School District.

Attractions

Ahwatukee enjoys easy access to the South Mountain Park trail system, where mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking is allowed. The area also has four public golf courses, many neighborhood parks, community centers, a public swimming pool, and a fairly active shopping and nightlife area near the "village core" at 48th Street and Ray Road.

Miscellaneous

Surrounded to the northwest by South Mountain Park, blocked to the east by I-10 and to the south by the Gila River Indian Community, Ahwatukee Foothills is geographically isolated from the city of which it is part of, Phoenix.

Ahwatukee is home to many Arizona Cardinals players and coaches due to its proximity to the team's Tempe training facility.

Ahwatukee is also home to comic book giant Todd McFarlane, widely known as the creator of Spawn