Editing Fountain Hills, Arizona

{{Short description|Town in Maricopa County, Arizona}}
{{update|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | official_name            = Fountain Hills, Arizona
 | settlement_type          = [[Town]]
 | motto                    = "All That Is Arizona"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.fh.az.gov/|title= Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona|publisher=Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona|access-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref>
 | image_skyline            = 3 pump fountain 250px.png
 | image_caption            = The fountain of Fountain Hills can shoot water to a height of up to {{convert|560|ft|m}}.
 | imagesize                = 250x250px
 | image_flag               = Flag of Fountain Hills, Arizona.gif
 | image_seal               = FountainHillsaz seal.png
 | image_map                = Maricopa County Arizona Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Fountain Hills Highlighted 0425300.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250x250px
 | map_caption              = Location of Fountain Hills in Maricopa County, Arizona
 | image_map1               = 
 | mapsize1                 = 
 | map_caption1             = 
 | pushpin_map              = Arizona#USA
 | pushpin_label            = Fountain Hills
 | pushpin_label_position   = left
 | pushpin_map_caption      = 
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Arizona|County]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{US}}
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Arizona}}
 | subdivision_name2        = {{Flagicon image||size=23px}} [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa]]
 | government_type          = 
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Gerry Friedel
 | established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date         = 1989
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Arizona |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_04.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=May 11, 2022}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 52.76
<!-- template calculates metric values from US values -->
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 20.37
 | area_land_km2            = 52.53
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 20.28
 | area_water_km2           = 0.22
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.09
 | elevation_ft             = 1798
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0425300&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=Fountain Hills town, Arizona: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref>
 | population_total         = 23820
 | population_metro         = 
 | population_density_km2   = 453.43
 | population_density_sq_mi = 1174.38
 | population_est           = 
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | timezone                 = [[Mountain Standard Time Zone|MST]] (no [[Daylight savings time|DST]])
 | utc_offset               = -7
 | coordinates              = {{coord|33.60|-111.72|region:US-AZ_type:city|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
 | timezone_DST             = 
 | utc_offset_DST           = 
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
 | postal_code              = 85268-85269
 | area_code                = [[Area code 480|480]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 04-25300
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 2412647<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412647}}</ref>
 | website                  = {{URL|www.fountainhillsaz.gov}}
 | footnotes                = 
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
}}

'''Fountain Hills''' is a town in [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County]], [[Arizona]], United States. Known for its impressive fountain, once the tallest in the world, it borders the [[Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation]], [[Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community]], and [[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]]. The population was 23,820 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Quick Facts – 85268 U.S. Census Bureau|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/scottsdalecityarizona,fountainhillstownarizona,US|access-date=February 7, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Between the [[1990 United States census|1990]] and [[2000 United States census|2000 census]]es it was the eighth-fastest-growing place among cities and towns in Arizona. The median value of an owner-occupied housing during the period 2016–2020 was estimated at $402,100.<ref name="QuickFacts">{{Cite web |title=2020 U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/scottsdalecityarizona,fountainhillstownarizona,US/HSG495219#HSG495219 |work=QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref>

== History ==
Before the development of Fountain Hills, the area was home to the [[Yavapai]] people, and [[petroglyph]]s can be found near the Dixie Mine in the northwest corner of the town along the mountains.
[[File:Petroglyphpeople.jpg|thumb|Two boys posing at the petroglyphs by the Dixie Mine, Fountain Hills, AZ]]

In the early 20th century, the area that became Fountain Hills and the McDowell Mountain Regional Park was part of the Pemberton Ranch,<ref>https://arizona.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,2,fid,32778,n,pemberton%20ranch.cfm {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref> later renamed the P-Bar Ranch. [[Fountain Hills High School]] is built on the site of one of the P-Bar Ranch's buildings, and a plaque stands in the parking lot to commemorate this.

Fountain Hills was developed by [[C. V. Wood]], president of [[Robert P. McCulloch|McCulloch]] Oil, and was named after the towering man-made fountain in the center of town.<ref>{{Cite web| last = Arroyo Rodriguez| first = Nadine| title = Did You Know: The Fountain Hills Namesake Is Among the World's Largest| work = KJZZ| access-date = July 17, 2016| date = April 18, 2014| url = http://kjzz.org/content/26421/did-you-know-fountain-hills-namesake-among-worlds-largest}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=11190|title=Profile for Fountain Hills, Arizona, AZ|publisher=ePodunk|access-date=August 23, 2012|archive-date=February 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210012658/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=11190|url-status=dead}}</ref> The town was incorporated in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.fh.az.gov/|title= Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona|publisher= Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona|access-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Fountain Hills is in eastern Maricopa County, on the eastern edge of the Phoenix urbanized area. It is {{convert|31|mi}} northeast of downtown Phoenix and sits on the east side of the south end of the McDowell Mountains. According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|20.4|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|0.1|sqmi|2}}, or 0.42%, are water. The elevation is {{convert|1520|ft}} at the fountain, {{convert|500|ft}} higher than in Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Fountain Hills {{!}} Fountain Hills, AZ - Official Website|url=https://www.fh.az.gov/380/About-Fountain-Hills#:~:text=The%20elevation%20is%201,520%20feet,Town%20of%2022,489%20in%202010.|access-date=February 7, 2021|website=www.fh.az.gov}}</ref> The elevation reaches {{convert|3190|ft}} on the western border of the town, on a spur of the McDowell Mountains.

To the east of the town is the [[Verde River]], a tributary to the [[Salt River (Arizona)|Salt River]]. Inside the town there are many washes that run through Fountain Hills into the Verde River. Some of these washes include the Ashbrook, Balboa, Legend, and Colony Washes. During times of rain the washes flood with water and can sometimes block roads with their water. Signs mark several of the intersections of washes and major streets in the town.

To the southwest and northwest regions of Fountain Hills are the McDowell Mountains, a chain of extinct volcanic remnants. The highest mountains in the range are [[East End (Arizona)|East End]] ({{convert|4067|ft|abbr=on}}), [[McDowell Peak]] ({{convert|4034|ft|abbr=on}}), and [[Thompson Peak (Arizona)|Thompson Peak]] ({{convert|3982|ft|abbr=on}}),<ref>Elevations from U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic maps: {{cite web| url=https://mapper.acme.com/?ll=33.64428,-111.81207&z=15&t=U&marker0=33.67978%2C-111.80044%2C10.8%20km%20NW%20of%20Fountain%20Hills%20AZ&marker1=33.65935%2C-111.81752%2Cunnamed&marker2=33.64428%2C-111.81207%2C9.5%20km%20WxNW%20of%20Fountain%20Hills%20AZ| title=U.S. Geological Survey: Fountain Hills AZ| website=ACME Mapper| access-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref> all in neighboring Scottsdale.

== Climate ==
The area has a large amount of sunshine year round due to its stable descending air and high pressure. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Fountain Hills has a [[Desert climate#Mild desert climates|hot desert climate]], abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=375320&cityname=Fountain+Hills%2C+Arizona%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Fountain Hills, Arizona]</ref>

{{weather box|single line=yes|collapsed=yes|precipitation colour=green|width=auto|location=Fountain Hills, Arizona, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1979–present
|Jan record high F = 82
|Feb record high F = 91
|Mar record high F = 101
|Apr record high F = 107
|May record high F = 114
|Jun record high F = 121
|Jul record high F = 125
|Aug record high F = 118
|Sep record high F = 115
|Oct record high F = 107
|Nov record high F = 95
|Dec record high F = 84
|year record high F=

|Jan avg record high F = 75.6
|Feb avg record high F = 80.4
|Mar avg record high F = 88.6
|Apr avg record high F = 97.4
|May avg record high F = 103.9
|Jun avg record high F = 110.9
|Jul avg record high F = 112.6
|Aug avg record high F = 111.4
|Sep avg record high F = 107.7
|Oct avg record high F = 100.5
|Nov avg record high F = 87.5
|Dec avg record high F = 76.5
|year avg record high F = 114.0

|Jan high F = 63.9
|Feb high F = 67.4
|Mar high F = 73.9
|Apr high F = 82.0
|May high F = 91.0
|Jun high F = 100.6
|Jul high F = 103.0
|Aug high F = 101.9
|Sep high F = 97.1
|Oct high F = 86.6
|Nov high F = 73.7
|Dec high F = 63.0
|year high F= 83.7
|Jan mean F = 54.2
|Feb mean F = 56.8
|Mar mean F = 62.3
|Apr mean F = 69.2
|May mean F = 77.8
|Jun mean F = 86.7
|Jul mean F = 91.6
|Aug mean F = 90.9
|Sep mean F = 85.4
|Oct mean F = 74.6
|Nov mean F = 62.5
|Dec mean F = 53.5
|year mean F= 72.1
|Jan low F = 44.5
|Feb low F = 46.2
|Mar low F = 50.7
|Apr low F = 56.4
|May low F = 64.5
|Jun low F = 72.8
|Jul low F = 80.3
|Aug low F = 79.8
|Sep low F = 73.7
|Oct low F = 62.6
|Nov low F = 51.3
|Dec low F = 43.9
|year low F= 60.6

|Jan avg record low F = 32.6
|Feb avg record low F = 35.0
|Mar avg record low F = 39.7
|Apr avg record low F = 45.1
|May avg record low F = 53.1
|Jun avg record low F = 62.0
|Jul avg record low F = 69.6
|Aug avg record low F = 69.9
|Sep avg record low F = 62.8
|Oct avg record low F = 48.8
|Nov avg record low F = 38.9
|Dec avg record low F = 31.9
|year avg record low F = 29.8

|Jan record low F = 23
|Feb record low F = 25
|Mar record low F = 30
|Apr record low F = 36
|May record low F = 44
|Jun record low F = 49
|Jul record low F = 57
|Aug record low F = 58
|Sep record low F = 51
|Oct record low F = 37
|Nov record low F = 29
|Dec record low F = 24
|year record low F= 
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.41
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.33
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.28
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.33
|May precipitation inch = 0.23
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.14
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.80
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.33	
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.81
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.63
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.74
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.15
|year precipitation inch= 10.18
|Jan precipitation days = 3.6
|Feb precipitation days = 3.9
|Mar precipitation days = 3.4
|Apr precipitation days = 1.4
|May precipitation days = 1.2
|Jun precipitation days = 0.3
|Jul precipitation days = 2.9
|Aug precipitation days = 4.4
|Sep precipitation days = 2.6
|Oct precipitation days = 2.3
|Nov precipitation days = 2.2
|Dec precipitation days = 3.4
|year precipitation days= 31.6
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=psr|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher= [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date = November 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00023190&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020|publisher= National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date = November 19, 2022}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1980= 2771
|1990= 10030
|2000= 20235
|2010= 22489
|2020= 23820
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 23,820 people in 11,918 households in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1113.8|PD/sqmi|/sqkm}}. There were 13,167 housing units at an average density of {{convert|577.5|/sqmi|/sqkm}}. The ethnic makeup of the town was 94.1% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.0% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander]], 1.1% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.4% from two or more races. [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race make up 4.1% of the population.

There were 11,918 households, out of which 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. Householders living alone make up 25.7% of all households, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.56.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 14.4% under the age of 18, 85.6% 18 years and over, and 27.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.9 years. There were 47.8% males and 52.2% females.

According to the 2020 [[American Community Survey]], the median income for a household in Fountain Hills for the period 2016-2020 was $85,200.<ref name=QuickFacts/>

The [[per capita income]] for the town was $59,791. About 3.3% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

===The Fountain===
Fountain Hills has the world's fourth-tallest [[fountain]], and the second [[History of fountains in the United States|tallest]] in the United States. It was built in 1970 in Zürich by [[Robert P. McCulloch]], the year before the reconstruction of the [[London Bridge (Lake Havasu City)|London Bridge]] in Lake Havasu City, another of McCulloch's projects. The fountain sprays water for about 15 minutes every hour on the hour between 9am and 9pm. The plume rises from a concrete water-lily sculpture in the center of a large man-made lake. The fountain, driven by three {{convert|600|hp}} turbine pumps, sprays water at a rate of {{convert|7000|USgal}} per minute through an {{convert|18|in|adj=on}} nozzle. With all three pumps under ideal conditions, the fountain reaches {{convert|560|ft|m}} in height,<ref>
{{Cite web
 |url         = http://www.fountainhillsguide.com/attrac_fountain.html
 |title       = The Fountain
 |access-date  = October 26, 2011
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722000729/http://www.fountainhillsguide.com/attrac_fountain.html
 |archive-date = July 22, 2011
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref> though in normal operation only two of the pumps are used, with a fountain height of around {{convert|300|ft|m}}. When built it was the world's tallest fountain, a record it held for over a decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fountainhillsguide.com/about/the-fountain-in-fountain-hills-arizona.aspx|title=The Fountain (site disabled 2017-06-26)|publisher=Fountain Hills Guide|access-date=August 23, 2012|archive-date=July 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722121103/http://www.fountainhillsguide.com/about/the-fountain-in-fountain-hills-arizona.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Town of Fountain Hills has partnered with EarthCam<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.earthcam.com/usa/arizona/fountainhills/?cam=fountainpark | title=LIVE NOW! Fountain Hills Cam }}</ref> to bring live streaming views of its world-famous fountain. The live stream camera can be accessed on the Experience Fountain Hills website.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/p/fountain/fountain-runtimes | title=Fountain Hills Fountain }}</ref>
To help celebrate the fountain's 50th year, the town installed a new LED lighting system with four lights mounted directly under the fountain and six lights on the shore for a total of 10 lights to provide ample lighting and still meet the Dark Skies regulations.<ref name="fhdarksky.com">{{Cite web|title=Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association|url=http://fhdarksky.com/|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association|language=en-US}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
The fountain in Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, AZ..jpg|alt=The famous fountain in Fountain Hills, Arizona, running at full height.|The "World Famous Fountain" in Fountain Hills can attain a height of {{convert|560|ft}} when running on all three of its pumps.
Fountain in green light.jpg|alt=The fountain is bathed in green in Fountain Park with LED lights during holidays and special events. There are eight colors available to shine on the spray.|The fountain in Fountain Park is lighted with LED lights during holidays and special events. There are eight colors available to shine on the spray.
The fountain in morning sun..jpg|The fountain of Fountain Hills
</gallery>

=== International Dark Sky Community ===
[[File:Red moon with purple spray.jpg|alt=Red moon from a lunar eclipse with the fountain in the foreground|thumb|Lunar Eclipse over Fountain Park in Fountain Hills]]
In January 2018, the town of Fountain Hills was designated an International Dark Sky Community<ref name="fhdarksky.com"/> by the [[International Dark Sky Association]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=International Dark Sky Association|url=https://www.darksky.org/|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=International Dark-Sky Association|language=en-US}}</ref> The town is one of only two International Dark Sky Communities located near a large metropolitan area. {{as of|2021}}, 34 communities in the world have earned the Community designation, among Dark Sky Reserves, Parks, and Sanctuaries. The Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association (FHDSA) worked with town council and town staff to change outdoor lighting and sign ordinances to address [[light pollution]]. This designation is a result of both geography and lighting ordinances. The community is shielded from the lights of the larger cities in the Phoenix metro region by the McDowell Mountains to the west. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to the east, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to the south, and the McDowell Mountain Regional Park all help the town preserve its dark skies. The absence of street lights and the presence of only low-impact outdoor lighting creates an outstanding environment for [[stargazing]]. The Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association is currently working to develop a {{convert|15000|sqft}} International Dark Sky Discovery Center that will include a Dark Sky Observatory, Hyperspace Planetarium, Inspiration Theater, and an Immersion Zone.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association|url=http://fhdarksky.com/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association|language=en-US}}</ref> Fountain Hills was the home to [[Charles W. Juels]]' [[Fountain Hills Observatory]] {{Obscode|678}}, where [[Charles W. Juels#List of discovered asteroids|475 asteroids were discovered between 1999 and 2003]], including [[20898 Fountainhills]].<ref name="jpldata">{{cite web
  |type       = January 24, 2018 last obs.
  |title      = JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 20898 Fountainhills (2000 WE147)
  |url        = https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2020898
  |publisher  = [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]]
  |accessdate = November 21, 2021}}</ref>

==Events==
The town hosts a number of events each year at Fountain Park, including three large art fairs: the Spring Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts and the Fall Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts, both presented by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the town hosts a St. Patrick's Day celebration in which the town's fountain is dyed green. The Greening of the Fountain tradition began in 1979. Other signature events include a 4th of July celebration, an annual Music Fest,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Special Events {{!}} Fountain Hills, AZ – Official Website|url=https://www.fh.az.gov/284/Special-Events|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=www.fh.az.gov}}</ref> Irish Fest,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irish Fountain Fest |url=https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/events/2023/irish-fest |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=www.experiencefountainhills.org |language=en}}</ref> and Concours in the Hills — a car show which featured over 1,000 vehicles and 50,000 attendees in February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.concoursinthehills.org/|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=concoursinthehills|language=en}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Annual Chamber of Commerce Fountain Festival.jpg|alt=More than 120,000 people attend the annual Fountain Festival each fall in Fountain Hills.|The Annual Fountain Festival celebrates the arts in Fountain Hills each fall.
Turkey Trot.jpg|alt=Turkey Trot participants run or walk around the famous fountain Thanksgiving morning.|For 31 years, the Turkey Trot has been a family tradition Thanksgiving morning.
Wiki CONCOURS 2022 resized 500px.png|alt=Spectators look at sports cars at Concours in the Hills.|More than 1,000 high-end cars from around the world drew nearly 50,000 enthusiasts to Fountain Hills for Concours in the Hills 2022.
</gallery>

== Arts ==
Fountain Hills is home to one of the largest public art collections in Arizona. The art collection, which features over 150 pieces, is part of a partnership between the Town of Fountains Hills and the Public Art Committee of the Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Public Art {{!}} Fountain Hills, AZ – Official Website|url=https://www.fh.az.gov/260/Public-Art|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=www.fh.az.gov}}</ref> Art is a significant part of the Town's heritage. The eight fountains along the Avenue of the Fountains were the beginning of the public art collection. Bronze sculptures and fountains with Community Profile themes ranging from the whimsical to the serious dot the streets and adorn the public buildings, plazas and parks. The collection also contains a wide variety of other art types and media, including paintings, stone, photography and metals. Residents and visitors are invited to wander the streets or take the "Art Walk" guided tour.

Fountain Hills Theater is a performing arts venue entering its 28th season and offering over 16 productions a year to local communities as well as performing an arts education year-round for youth.

==Government==
Fountain Hills has a [[council–manager]] system. The current mayor of Fountain Hills is Gerry Friedel, first elected in November 2024. The current Town Council consists of the mayor and six councilmembers. Councilmembers include Vice Mayor Hannah Toth, Gayle Earle, Brenda Kalivianakis, Peggy McMahon, Allen Skillicorn, and Rick Watts. Councilmembers serve four-year terms, and the mayor serves a two-year term. The council selects a town manager, attorney, and magistrate. Rachael Goodwin has been the Town Manager since 2023.

The town contracts its law enforcement services with the [[Maricopa County Sheriff's Office]].

The Fountain Hills Fire Department has two fire stations. Dave Ott is the fire chief.

Fountain Hills is in [[Arizona's 1st congressional district]] and Arizona's 3rd state legislative district.

==Education==
Fountain Hills Public Schools are part of the [[Fountain Hills Unified School District]] #98. The district provides education from pre-school through high school with Little Falcons Preschool, McDowell Mountain Elementary, Fountain Hills Middle School, and [[Fountain Hills High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://fountainhillsschools.org|title= Fountain Hills United School District #98|publisher= Fountain Hills United School District #98|access-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> The district has small class sizes at an average of 18:1, and it includes a special education program, Fountain Hills Virtual Academy, and a career and technical education program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fountain Hills Unified School District |url=https://www.fountainhillsschools.org/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=www.fountainhillsschools.org}}</ref>

==Media==
{{See also|Phoenix, Arizona#Media|l1=Media in Phoenix, Arizona}}
''The Fountain Hills Times Independent'' <ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Independent acquires 'Fountain Hills Times' |url=https://www.fhtimes.com/news/local_news/independent-acquires-fountain-hills-times/article_a8338b22-1512-11ee-8c39-e3ae4b5050cd.html |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=FHTimes}}</ref> is the town's weekly newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fhtimes.com/|title= Fountain Hills Times|publisher= Fountain Hills Times|access-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> The paper has a weekly circulation of about 3,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nnaweb.org/pub/doc/BNC-2012-Winners-by-State.pdf|title= National Newspaper Association 2012 Better Newspaper Contest Winners|publisher= National Newspaper Association |access-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref>

Independent Newsmedia, Inc. is the parent company, and it also owns Valley Newspapers, a commercial printing plant located near Deer Valley Airport. The company also publishes community newspapers in Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Florida, and it owns a press in Delaware. The Times also publishes the Fountain Hills/Rio Verde Telephone Directory, Fountain Hills Community Guide, Fountain Hills HOME.<ref>{{cite web |title=Independent Newsmedia |url=https://www.newszap.com/#:~:text=Newspapers%20and%20Websites-,Independent%20Newsmedia%20Inc.,of%20and%20by%20the%20people. |access-date=August 23, 2012 |publisher=Independent News Media}}</ref>

==Notable people==
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* [[Kathy Ahern]], professional golfer
* [[Steven Alker]], professional golfer
* [[Joe Arpaio]], former Maricopa County Sheriff
* [[Charles Juels]], astronomer
* [[David Schweikert]], U.S. Congressman

==Sister cities==
{{SisterCities|Fountain Hills|three}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Fountain%20Hills,%20Arizona |title=Interactive City Directory |publisher=Sister Cities International |access-date=August 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826082846/http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Fountain%20Hills,%20Arizona |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|El Salvador}} [[Concepcion de Ataco]], [[El Salvador]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Dierdorf]] ([[Rhineland-Palatinate]], [[Germany]])
* {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Zamość]], [[Poland]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Fountain Hills, Arizona}}
{{wikivoyage|Fountain Hills}}
* {{Official website|www.fh.az.gov}}
* {{Cite web
|url=http://www.fountainhillschamber.com/
|title=Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce
|access-date=October 26, 2011
}}
* {{Cite web
|url=http://www.fhtimes.com/
|title=Fountain Hills Times Newspaper
|access-date=October 26, 2011
}}
* {{Cite web
|url=http://www.fhusd.org/
|title=Fountain Hills School District
|access-date=October 26, 2011
}}
* {{Cite web
|url=http://www.fhcspto.org/
|title=Fountain Hills Charter School
|access-date=October 26, 2011
}}

{{Maricopa County, Arizona}}
{{Phoenix Metropolitan Area}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Fountain Hills, Arizona| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Maricopa County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Phoenix metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Fountains in the United States]]
[[Category:1989 establishments in Arizona]]