Maricopa is a city in the Gila River Valley in Pinal County, Arizona, United States.

Today, very little remains of this once bustling community, but it played an important part in the progress and development of the Southwest.

It was one of the best-known spots in Arizona during this period of time because it had a reliable source of water, and offered an abundant supply of food.

The peaceful Pima and Maricopa farmers who lived and farmed nearby sold supplies to travelers and migrants.

Maricopaville developed south and west of the Wells, following construction of a railroad line from this terminus to Phoenix.

With the railroad, Maricopaville took on the appearance of a gold rush California boom town, as men worked day and night building hotels, saloons, warehouses, restaurants, theaters, etc.

[7] In 2018, estimates approved by the US Census Bureau and Arizona State Demographer's Office put Maricopa's population at 51,977 pushing the city over the 50,000 mark for the first time.

[8] Furthermore, data released from the official 2020 Census in August 2021 put Maricopa at 58,125, surpassing Casa Grande to become the most populous incorporated place in Pinal County and second most populous place in the county overall, behind the unincorporated San Tan Valley.

The small, federally recognized tribe has developed Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino and related resort, a multi-entertainment cinema complex, and operates a golf course; all are open to the public and draw attendees from Maricopa as well as the greater Phoenix area.

A 2011 study said that its casino and resort made up a large part of the economy of Pinal County, in terms of number of jobs and revenue generated.

[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.9 square miles (83 km2), all land.

This road parallels the Union Pacific Railroad at a diagonal, ultimately becoming Plainview Street within Maricopa and Cottonwood Lane in Casa Grande.

The city is currently the closest stop to Phoenix served by Amtrak's Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle trains.

Maricopa station opened in 2001, originally in a converted passenger rail car but now in a metal building.

This type of government structure combines the political leadership of elected officials with the managerial experience of an appointed professional manager.