Youngtown

History

In 1954, two developers bought of farmland and built the United States' first planned community dedicated exclusively to retirees. Designed by Ben Schleifer, who also had the idea of an active retirement community, the community was ironically named Youngtown. Frances Greer who owned the ranch that the development was built on. In 1955, 125 homes were built, with about 85 other lots sold. Two years later, in 1957, Youngtown was featured in an episode of Wide Wide World. This put national attention on the area. As a result, more people began moving in, sparking a new movement for the community. A year later in 1960, on January 1, Sun City opened just east of the development. That same year, the town of Youngtown was incorporated and the country's first AARP Chapter was established in the town. In 1996, the town, citing its age restrictions, denied extending the stay of a 16-year-old child to live in the community. In response, Arizona attorney general Grant Woods investigated and determined that the age ordinance was unenforceable. In response, Youngtown repealed the age restrictions in 1999.

Geography

Youngtown is located on the east bank of the Agua Fria River, just south of US 60. It is bordered on the west by El Mirage, on the south by Glendale, and on the east by the much larger retirement community of Sun City. Youngtown is northwest of downtown Phoenix. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which , or 0.40%, are water. }}

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• West Point High School
  High · AVONDALE · 3,033 students · 24.7:1 ratio
• Trevor Browne High School
  High · PHOENIX · 2,921 students · 20:1 ratio
• Maryvale High School
  High · PHOENIX · 2,795 students · 20.3:1 ratio
• Mountain Ridge High School
  High · GLENDALE · 2,771 students · 25.2:1 ratio
• Liberty High School
  High · PEORIA · 2,603 students · 22.4:1 ratio
• Valley Vista High School
  High · SURPRISE · 2,464 students · 24.2:1 ratio
• Shadow Ridge High School
  High · SURPRISE · 2,323 students · 21.9:1 ratio
• Tolleson Union High School
  High · TOLLESON · 2,256 students · 23.3:1 ratio