Vail 

Vail is a tiny unincorporated community at the base of the Rincon Mountains 15 miles from Tucson.

History

Was first established as the Empire cattle ranch by the Vail brothers, Edward and Walter. In 1880 Walter Vail donated the land for the first railroad tracks laid down east of Tucson and, in recognition of that donation, had the stop in"Vail"named after himself. Vail became the storage and loading facility for ore from the successful Helvetia Copper Mine. The haul road is still a visible path in the desert between Vail and the neighboring village of Corona. Today, the quaint Shrine of Santa Rita in the Desert and the surrounding ranches characterize the laid-back rural lifestyles in the area. Residents define their community as a place where each individual is important and has something valuable to contribute to others. Affordable housing, great schools, and an easy drive to jobs and cultural events in Tucson make the homes in Vail an attractive community for raising a family.

Business & Industry

The Vail School was not connected to an electrical grid until 1955, and as late as 1976 there was consideration of closing the school for a lack of students. But the opening of a huge IBM plant in 1980 spawned new growth in southeast Tucson and Vail. The top-ranked University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, home to the IBM plant, resulted in a major housing and population boom in Vail Real Estate. Many Tucsonans wanting to escape the busy city life have moved to Vail, and residents commute to Tucson and other towns for employment.

Statistics

Population: 6,743
Incorporated: No
County: Pima
Elevation: 2,690 fee
tTotal Area: 11.9 square miles
Average July High: 97
Average January Low: 38
Average Yearly Precipitation: 17 inches
Median Household Income: $46,202
Median Age: 35
Cable Internet Service: Yes
Fiber Optics: Yes
(Information current as of 6/2004 – check for updates later this year)

Activities & Attractions