Fountain Hills is well known for its Fountain, Great Fair, Fountain Festival, and magnificent views, but up until now it was reviewed as a nice place for a day trip.  However, following a recent report in the book, "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family," the community is fast becoming both a vacation Mecca as well as a place for permanent settlement.  Accommodations from resort apartments, bed & breakfast, and full service hotels have attracted vacationers as well as home hunters.  When asked by visitors if Fountain Hills is a nice place to live, many real estate agents suggest that the visitors go to any local grocery store and at random, stop a shopper and ask them the same question.  Obviously, residents will give the most objective answer and it is virtually always in the positive as to the advantages of living there.

This community was founded as a master panned development in 1970 and incorporated as a Town in 1989.  The Town land size is 11,690 acres. Developed land is 5,140 acres, undeveloped land is 6,550 acres.  Population in 1990 was 10,030.  Population in 1999 was estimated at 18,927, with a winter population estimated at 23,690.  Population estimates at full build out is 28,500.  Elevation is 1,520 feet above sea level a t the fountain. The elevation is approximately 500 feet above Phoenix.  McDowell Peak, the tallest peak in the McDowell's is 4,034 feet.  Red Rock Mountain is 2,830 feet.  Four Peaks, to the northeast, are 7,694 feet.  Average July high temperature is 105 degrees.  Average January high temperature is 66 degrees. Average year around daily high is 86 degrees.  Average low is 53 degrees. Approximate school enrollment in May, 1999 was 2,300 students.  The property tax rate for tax years 1998-1999 was $13.88 per $1,000 assessed valuation. Combined city & state sales tax rate is 6.9%.

Fountain Hills, bordered on the west by the McDowell Mountains, the south by the Salt River Indian Reservation, at east by the Ft. McDowell Indian Reservation and the north by McDowell Mountain Park, is truly an exceptionally beautiful area to "spend a day, a week or a lifetime."  The
expansive views include Four Peaks, Mazatzal Wilderness, the McDowell Mountains, the well known Red Rock, and the Superstition Mountains, all home to the majestic Saguaro cactus, willowy ocotillo and numerous other native Sonoran desert flora.  Being northeast of and higher than metropolitan Phoenix allows Fountain Hills to boast of cleaner air and slightly cooler summer days.

Fountain Hills is home to the "World's highest continuously running fountain ".  At full flow, the fountain rises 560 feel into the air.  The fountain runs for approximately 15 minutes each hour, starting on the hour, from 10am to 9pm daily.

If golf is your passion there are four outstanding courses located within the community, Desert Canyon golf Club, Sun Ridge Canyon, Eagle Mountain, and Fire Rock Country Club, all championship courses.  There is even a Frisbee golf course located in the 32 acre Fountain Park.  If fitness through outdoor activities is desirable, no other area can surpass Fountain Hills for biking, hiking, or just plain walking.