About 20 miles south of Phoenix, rich in Native and early American history, lies the town of Maricopa.

Until recent years, Maricopa was known to valley residents as a small agricultural community, just off the beaten path. But lately, mirroring the growth of other, similar suburbs, Maricopa has become an increasingly popular destination for homebuyers and businesses alike, making it one of the fastest growing communities in the state.

Incorporated in 2003 as Arizona's 88th city, Maricopa has watched its population swell from a few thousand residents to over 20,000 in just the last five years. Understanding the challenges of such rapid growth, the Mayor and town counsel members are committed to developing an overall, general plan for growth, including annexation of additional lands for residential and commercial projects. The new charter guarantees controlled growth, local employment opportunities, citizen involvement and preservation of Maricopa's history and charm.

Located adjacent to the AK-Chin Indian Reservation, Maricopa's history pre-dates most southwestern cities, including Phoenix. Father Francisco Kino, perhaps the best known of the Jesuit missionaries to grace the history books, wrote of Maricopa in his journal when he first visited in 1694. He wrote of a small, yet flourishing community of Native American farmers and traders, in an area that would eventually be known as Maricopa Wells.

Since everything below the Gila River belonged to Mexico until the late 1800's, Maricopa Wells became known as a critical water stop along the Gila Trail. The town also served as an important stage stop for mail delivery on the Butterfield Overland Line. It made sense that eventually, once transportation changed and the nearby town of Phoenix began to grow, a rail line would be built to connect the two villages. That old rail line route still exists today, only now it's known as the John Wayne Parkway, or Maricopa Road.

By 1935, other modes of transportation had become much more common, so all rail traffic eventually stopped. Agriculture, once again, became the central focus of the residents of Maricopa. Still able to boast a thriving farm economy, to this day the town has successfully maintained its agricultural heritage while allowing for tremendous growth in its retail and residential sectors. It wasn't until much later in the century that passenger train service returned to Maricopa.

Maricopa's most desirable quality may be its location. Preferring the surroundings of open land instead of urban sprawl, more and more young families are choosing to make the short commute in order to enjoy a residential experience that gets them away from the hectic pace of the city. Not that everyone living in Maricopa has to commute. In fact, along with the residential growth, many companies, large and small, have found this booming market to be perfect for their next expansion project or new venture, creating a genuine explosion of job opportunities right in town. This may have something to do with the relatively young median age in Maricopa of only 28, far less than other Phoenix suburbs.

Even though it's small compared to other suburbs, Maricopa has a number of attractive amenities and exciting local events. Several parks and plenty of open space surround the town, making it easy to find a relaxing venue to spend a day with the kids, ride bikes, have a picnic or host an outdoor gathering. Each year Maricopa is home to the increasingly popular Salsa Festival. Sponsored by dozens of local businesses and organizations, this annual event draws thousands of visitors to Maricopa, all anxious to get a taste of the state's best homemade salsas, created on-sight by contestants.

Many new home communities dot the landscape in and around the growing town. Some include parks, walking and biking trails, clubhouses with pools and other shared amenities. Typical home plans range from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, and most are still priced at under $200,000. With new home prices this affordable, buyers are discovering that they can get a lot more for their money in Maricopa, without giving up amenities or services. Those looking to purchase vacant land to build their own dreams will also find Maricopa to be very accommodating, as plenty of landowners are now subdividing their properties into smaller parcels for sale.

From a tiny agricultural village to an incorporated city, bulging at the seams from commercial and residential growth, Maricopa has become an area that promises something for everyone. While it has experienced unprecedented physical and economic growth, most locals still recognize Maricopa as a small, friendly town, just south of the big city.