Marana was given it's name in the late 1800s when rail transportation finally arrived in the town. Rail workers who had to cut through the dense desert brush to make way for the tracks called it "marana," the Spanish word for "jungle." Although it had been occupied by native peoples for over 4,000 years, it wasn't until around 1890 that it became an important to the region as a center for agriculture. Marana also played an important role in World War II as its airfield became the largest pilot training center in the world. Marana was incorporated with about 10 square miles and 150 people in 1977, and today boasts a population of around 33,000 and covers 120 square miles.
Housing is quite suburban in Marana; the traditional Arizonan stucco houses and rock yards abound, along with parks, trails and playgrounds, and yet still quite a bit of open desert landscape remains, one of the things that makes it attractive to homeowners. "One of the things that we love about our area in Marana are the multiple walking paths that are available. Our favorite is a path that borders the edge of a big neighborhood on one side and natural desert on the other. It runs along a wash and is well traveled by walkers, runners and bikers," says Jeanette Blight, a stay-at-home mom and Marana resident. If you like more of a country feel, you can reside in nearby Picture Rocks, where there are more landowners with ranch houses, modular homes, and lots of land and animals.
Every year a fourth of July celebration is put on by the town, complete with music, fireworks, face painting, jumping castles and food. Tucson's biggest water park is located here, along with a public golf course, and several horse facilities. Marana Arts council also puts on a variety of activities each year, and the local chamber of commerce works to actively promote new business growth in the community.
Tucson's only highway--Interstate 10--bisects this community. Many commuters find it ideal for enjoying the laid-back life of the suburbs while continuing to work in the city. As a result, Marana abounds with new families and with it an excellent school system, including 10 local elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, an adult education program and a distance learning program. The Marana and Picture Rocks areas are also served by one charter school.
In December 2008, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Marana, AZ was $305,435. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
