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As cost of child care spirals, Tucson officials look to bridge the gap

Caitlin Schmidt

This story was made possible by a grant awarded to La Estrella de Tucsón by Solutions Journalism Network, an organization dedicated to promoting journalism that analyzes community responses to specific problems.

Affordable, high-quality child care has become out of reach for more than 90% of Arizona families, with Hispanic women facing an even steeper challenge to obtain those services due in large part to an insurmountable wage disparity.

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Child care is affordable if it costs no more than 7% of a family’s income, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. By that standard, only 8.7% of Arizona families can afford infant care, financial experts say.

Research by The Economic Policy Institute, an independent, nonprofit think tank, shows that child care is unaffordable for typical families in Arizona, and completely out of reach for minimum wage workers, who make $12. 15 per hour. In 2019, Tucson’s median household income was $43,425, substantially lower than the state’s median household income of $58,945, according to the most recent census data.

In this series

Part 1: As cost of child care spirals. Tucson officials look to bridge the gap

Part 2: Pima County working to build powerful preschool legacy following failed effort

Part 3: Arizona program gives low-income parents a chance at care

Part 4: It takes a village: Tucson organizations step up to support families with care

You are now reading part 1

This series was made possible by a grant awarded to La Estrella de Tucsón by Solutions Journalism Network, an organization dedicated to promoting journalism that analyzes community responses to specific problems.

The average annual cost of infant care in Arizona is $10,948 — 3.7% more per year than in-state tuition at a four-year public college. Child care for a 4-year-old costs $8,547 per year, meaning a typical family in Arizona would have to spend 35. 2% of its income on child care for an infant and a 4-year-old, according to the EPI.

And with Latinas facing a sizable wage gap, an already difficult cycle becomes vicious, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said.

“The less money we get in our pockets, the less high-quality preschool we can afford,” Romero said. “There are deeper structural barriers that we have to dismantle in order to have better education outcomes and better economic outcomes.”

While Arizona isn’t the most expensive state in the country in terms of child care (it costs more in states where the cost of living is higher, with Massachusetts topping out at more than $20,000 per year,) it is one of 33 states where infant care costs more than college.

EPI senior economist Elise Gould said that for decades, the narrative centered around the individual failings of families who were unable to afford child care, but the tide has since turned.

“People now realize that it’s a pretty widespread problem, it isn’t just a low-income problem,” Gould said. “I think in the last few years, it’s really come to the fore in the national discourse.”

Over the last four or five decades, hourly wages have grown incredibly slowly, meaning in part that households have needed parents to work more and more, causing the demand for child care to increase, Gould said.

“When you think about what it really costs compared to how much people make, it’s just eating away a huge amount of their budget,” Gould said. “In a lot of ways, child care is way too expensive for many families, but the flip side of that is that often times, it’s actually not expensive enough.”

In an interesting twist, child care workers are often unable to afford child care of their own. Nationwide, the families of child care workers are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as other families, and a median child care worker in Arizona would have to spend nearly half her wages to put her own child in infant care, according to the EPI.

“Those child care workers are some of the lowest paid workers in our country,” Gould said, adding that as long as child care workers receive such low pay, those jobs will continue to remain vacant, resulting in wait lists and a shortage of high quality child care options. “If you want high quality care for your kids, you’re going to have to pay for it.”

Gould said it’s important to recognize that child care workers in the current economy are undervalued.

“They’re undervalued for the kind of work they do, they’re undervalued because of who they are,” Gould said. “Something like 90% of child care workers are women. Many Black and brown women, many immigrant women. Some of those wages reflect the value society has placed on that type of work and those workers themselves.”

High demand, low supply

While the lack of affordable, high-quality child care is a nationwide issue, Arizona has faced some distinct challenges over the years, said Michelle Saint Hilarie, senior statewide program director of Arizona’s Child Care Resource and Referral.

Hilarie, who has worked at AZCCRR for 20 years, said that for the first time in her tenure, the state’s Department of Economic Security is doing a tremendous job in terms of innovating and securing new partnerships with community groups to administer programs and services and create more options for families. This includes the colocation of DES staff within different organizations to meet clients on-site, at places they’re already going to receive services.

Hilaire said Arizona was already in a downward spiral prior to the pandemic, with the number of certified family child care providers — people who care for up to four children in their homes — at an all-time low.

“Working families don’t work traditional hours as commonly anymore, so the need for nontraditional care, 24/7 availability is in really high demand, and there’s almost no supply for that,” Hilarie said, calling it a chronic issue.

Complicating things is the lack of workforce to fill child care vacancies, Hilarie said, pointing to a recent survey by the National Association for the Education of Young Children that said in Arizona, 84% of child care programs reported not being able to find employees.

“Forever our problem was we had tons of child care and a huge waiting list for financial assistance, and families couldn’t get the care they needed because they couldn’t afford it,” Hilarie said. “Now, we have families who need care who can get assistance, and there’s no child care available.”

In addition to the lack of affordable, high-quality options for infants and day care-aged children, Hilarie said that a lack of before- and after-school programs is creating additional difficulties for parents of kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Hilarie called the recovery efforts “really, really hard,” but said that there are some incredible initiatives in the works.

AZCCRR runs a website in both English and Spanish and a phone line that helps Arizona families find affordable child care that fits their budget and schedule. They run a state database of all licensed child care centers, connecting families with regulated providers who have undergone appropriate background checks.

“If they go to social media or to the internet to try to find a provider, they may not find a provider who is actually regulated,” Hilarie said. “If there are reviews … it’s subjective to whatever that personal experience has been. When you’re searching for care, it’s a highly personal choice, and there’s so many programs out there.”

A preschooler draws during a class at Desert Spring Children’s Center in Tucson. The cost of high-quality child care for toddlers is out of reach for most Arizonans.

Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star

AZCCRR gives families tools that allow them to evaluate and do the research to make the most informed decision for their child, and they’ll have a list of options to choose from based on their needs.

“You can’t get that anywhere else,” Hilarie said. “The biggest piece of education we provide is education on financial assistance options, because it’s very confusing and overwhelming. ”

With multiple government programs, the option to use state and federal tax credits and other types of financial assistance, it can be challenging for families to figure out the option that best fits their needs and qualifications, Hilarie said.

Stepping up to fill in gaps

Recognizing the need for affordable, quality child care, some employers, schools and agencies have stepped up to help fill the void.

At Pima Community College, counselors and others refer students to the state’s 211 phone line, the referral service for social service agencies, according to spokeswoman Libby Howell.

“We are working on plans to place a child care facility on the Desert Vista campus, hopefully sometime by next spring,” Howell said. The early learning center will part of the state’s Head Start program, and be available to students, staff and community members. Priority will go to students, then staff and if there are still spots available, the public.

El Rio Healthcare refers new hires, employees and, if needed, patients to the Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral website, “since child care needs are so different with everyone,” said marketing coordinator Nathan Holloway.

Such outreach efforts intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were shut down, offering online learning only.

Last year, El Rio created a COVID child care assistance fund to help employees who were working and needed support with unexpected child care expenses, Holloway said.

The fund paid a one-time reimbursement to employees with children ages 5 and older who were enrolled in school.

El Rio didn’t stop there while their employees were working on overdrive to help the community. The emergency child care project, which ran from March through July 2020, helped provide care for 63 children belonging to 42 of its employees.

With $52,000 spent by El Rio on YMCA day camps for kids ages 5-12 and nearly $10,000 in payments to private child care providers for kids younger than 5, it was a heavier lift than expected.

“We came in at $20,000 over the amount covered by our grant funding,” Holloway said.

The city used $1.25 million of federal pandemic relief funds for child care. Thanks to a group of activists and nonprofits, it was able to distribute scholarships to many families — especially frontline workers — at a time when day care centers were shutting down.

The Economic Policy Institute’s Gould said there have been a lot of conversations about women having to take the brunt of the recession, due to the caregiving needs.

“This was not just about kids in child care, this was also affecting kindergarten kids and the parents and first- and second-graders,” Gould said. “If you have to go to work in person, you can’t leave these kids alone.”

Nonprofits have long stepped in to fill the gap and assist clients struggling with child care issues, even before the pandemic.

“YWCA believes that child care is a huge barrier for women,” said Imelda Esquer, director of the YWCA of Southern Arizona’s Latina Leadership Institute, who has heard firsthand from many how difficult it is to complete their educational goals due to the child care barrier.

Esquer said one woman told her that having no access to child care for her two kids was a huge obstacle to her attending her GED classes. Other women struggling to complete their GED course work have asked if they could bring their children along to classes, due to the high costs of both child care and transportation.

While the Latina Leadership Institute doesn’t have a formal child care referral process just yet, Esquer says they do support women bringing their kids with them.

“We have a program called YKids which makes a tremendous difference and positive impact on the community we serve,” Esquer said.

YKids has two components: homework help and gardening, exercising and crafts.

“We encourage the Ykids and mothers to share what they learned while being at the same center,” Esquer said, adding that the institute is working to implement the two-generation, or 2Gen, approach to its programming. 2Gen builds family well-being by simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives together.

Leonora Oquendo, 6, works on her homework while Suzeth Rodriguez, a volunteer, keeps an eye on Oquendo during an after school program at Las Abuelitas, 440 E. 26th St. Las Abuelitas, a community run by the Primavera Foundation, has a dozen affordable apartments as well as a free after school program.

Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star

The path to a sustainable future

Local leaders are well aware that it’s going to take more than referral lines and nonprofits stepping up to solve the problem. They point toward the state and federal government to take charge.

The path to a sustainable future is two-pronged, and includes the need to expand capacity of the “high-quality system” and providers that accept DES, as well as the need to improve coordination and outreach, Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said in an email.

“Over the next three to five years, there is significant opportunity to improve the preschool and child care system locally and in Arizona, due to the vast sums of federal pandemic relief funding for the industry, increased awareness of the problem, and the county’s new program,” Huckelberry said.

The Pima Early Education Program Scholarships (PEEPS) program focusing on families with incomes at or under 200% of the federal poverty level aims to serve about 1,200 children this year, roughly 20% of the program’s target.

Huckelberry estimated that there are roughly 9,000 Pima County children who fall within the aforementioned group and are not attending a high-quality preschool through some type of subsidy.

Thanks to the Trump and Biden administrations, through the CARES Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, Arizona secured about $1.2 billion in federal relief funding to help child care providers survive the pandemic. Last fall the city of Tucson allocated $500,000 in CARES Act funding for child care scholarships, administered through Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona.

However, the greatest challenge to increasing access to high-quality preschool and child care is that there simply aren’t enough classes and providers that are rated or accredited as “high quality,” Huckelberry said.

“Over the next three to five years, there is significant opportunity to improve the preschool and child care system locally and in Arizona, due to the vast sums of federal pandemic relief funding for the industry, increased awareness of the problem, and the county’s new program,” said Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

Rick Wiley, Arizona Daily Star

“There are more funds available for subsidies and scholarships than can be spent because of this bottleneck,” Huckelberry said, pointing toward two paths to quality.

The first is through First Things First’s Quality First improvement program and rating system for preschools and child care centers.

Quality early learning centers include caregivers and teachers who know how to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers; learning environments that encourage creativity and imaginative play; hands-on activities that stimulate and encourage brain connections in kids; positive relationships that provide young kids with the individual attention they need and caregivers who provide regular feedback to parents on their child’s development.

For the past several years, there was a long wait list to get into Quality First, along with limited funding. But thanks to some pandemic-related windfalls, temporary funding could help alleviate some of the issues.

DES will be using federal pandemic recovery funding to move 800 providers statewide off the waitlist and into Quality First over the next few years, and First Things First is also making sponsorship options available for providers to move into the program.

One-time pandemic funding will also help deal with the issue of accreditation.

“Some providers are nationally accredited, but unlike Quality First, there isn’t public funding to support accreditation,” Huckelberry said. “It is a cost paid by the provider and providers serving largely low income families may not be able to afford the cost or see much of a return on the investment.”

DES pays a higher child care subsidy reimbursement rate for some national accreditations, and this year, those will surpass the First Things First scholarship rates for nationally accredited and Quality First providers.

“(This makes) it more attractive to providers to be nationally accredited and/or in Quality First, and to accept children with DES child care subsidies,” Huckelberry said.

Resources

• For help finding child care that fits your family’s needs, visit Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral’s website at azccrr.com. Call AZCCRR at 1-800-308-9000 Monday through Friday from 8 a. m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
• Find child care providers participating in the Quality First program by visiting qualityfirstaz.com.

While the state is left to figure out how to make the one-time funding increases sustainable, United Way has been hard at work on the Accelerate Quality development program, which was developed to complement the county’s PEEPS program.

As part of the program, preschools with a 2-star rating from Quality First can receive financial and other assistance to increase quality and prepare them to score at a 3-star level, which is considered high quality.

Accelerate Quality was funded by donations from Tucson Medical Center, El Rio, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, other philanthropic donors and individual donations.

“Preschools not yet in Quality First can receive assistance in completing the application and preparing for the rating assessment, and those already in Quality First with a 3-star or greater rating who have space to add additional classes can receive financial or other assistance in getting those additional classes operational,” Huckelberry said.

Elizabeth Ridout, an infant teacher at Herencia Guadalupana Lab School, prepares a bottle. The average annual cost of infant care in Arizona is $10,948.

Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star

However, the major roadblock toward expansion in Pima County comes in the form of a lack of qualified teachers and child care professionals, according to Huckelberry.

“Currently TUSD and Amphi’s new PEEPS classes are on hold because they have been unable to hire teachers,” Huckelberry said. “This was an issue pre-pandemic and is even more of an issue now — nationally and locally.”

With no short-term solution to the teaching shortage in sight, Huckelberry said there are lots of discussions underway.

Huckelberry pointed toward ease of access as another issue, which comes down to the need to improve coordination and outreach.

“It needs to be easier for families to access the variety of financial aid available,” Huckelberry said.

First Things First, DES and Head Start all have different eligibility criteria and applications. While DES and First Things First are discussing coordinating their income eligibility checks, Huckelberry said more work needs to be done.

“The county has an opportunity now to advocate for system-level changes via our regularly scheduled meetings with FTF, DES and Head Start, as well as our role as a funder and contractor,” Huckelberry said.

“Long term, the state needs to increase funding for this purpose as they spend almost no state funding on this,” Huckelberry said. “The county, cities and towns, and other local funding partners now have a vested interest in seeing this system improve and in working together to advocate for increased state funding. ”

Changing the trajectory

Mayor Romero said the road to accessible, affordable, high-quality child care needs to start at the federal level.

A $3.5 trillion proposal under discussion in Congress could potentially be a lifejacket for women in the workforce in more ways than one, Romero told the Star.

Earlier this month, Senate Democrats voted to pass a budget resolution that would direct committees to draft a bill that would invest substantial funding into child care, education, health care, paid leave and climate initiatives.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said the road to accessible, affordable, high-quality child care needs to start at the federal level.

Josh Galemore, Arizona Daily Star

The resolution would make child care more accessible, create universal pre-K and more.

“Universal pre-k for 3- and 4-year-olds and child care for low-income working families could be a game-changer for the country,” Romero said. “That could be the solution to the issue that we see throughout the country in terms of affordable child care.”

It won’t be happening just yet though, as the Senate’s vote is the first step in the process. The House of Representatives also needs to approve a budget resolution before Congress can craft and pass final legislation, which could take months.

Romero said that while affordability is a serious problem, there’s also the issue of child care deserts in low-income areas, where high-quality child care is harder to find.

Nearly half of all Arizonans live in a child care desert, regions with an under-supply of licensed child care, according to a 2018 report from the Center for American Progress. Nationally, Latino and Hispanic families have an even tougher time finding child care near their homes: Almost 60% of that demographic lives in a child care desert.

Many Latino parents also rely on extended family or friends for child care, said Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva said both she and her mother relied heavily on family members while raising their babies; Grijalva attributes her Spanish-speaking abilities to growing up so close to her nana.

While intergenerational connections are important, those who rely solely on family members miss out on the long-term developmental benefits of highly trained educators at high-quality preschools, she said.

“A lot of times those parents and grandparents don’t have the skills, necessarily, to help with early reading and early literacy,” she said. “Those things, and the social skills, are things that our abuelitas and nanas can’t provide.”

Studies have shown that children that start their education earlier are more likely to be successful throughout their educational careers, which helps families and communities move forward.

“I’m proud of what we’re doing, I’m pretty sure the investment Pima County is making is 100% the right move,” Romero said. “But we can’t do it alone. We need the federal government and state government to step up and help create high-quality, affordable child care. We need the federal government to see this as an investment in our future.”

The Economic Policy Institute’s Gould agreed, saying public investment of this magnitude is great to be done at the federal level, where those kinds of resources are available.

“It’s a long-term investment that’s not just good for Tucson or Pima County or the state, but for our country,” Romero said. “It could change trajectory of our country.”

What does this story mean to you?

Knowing how this story may have influenced you can help steer future reporting that provides value to readers.

Please let us know what you think by taking our survey at tucne.ws/1igc

Contact Star reporter Caitlin Schmidt at 573-4191 or [email protected]. On Twitter: @caitlincschmidt.

Arizona Daily Star freelancer Emily Bregel contributed to this story.

Participated in this series:

Journalists: Caitlin Schmidt, Gloria Knott, Emily Bregel, Ashley Morales. Photographers: Mamta Popat and Rebecca Sasnett. Photo Editor: Rick Wiley. Graphic Artist: Chiara Bautista. Web Designer and Producer: Johanna Eubank, Mabhy Camou. Translators: Mariana Alvarado, José Ma. Rodríguez. Editors: Liliana López, Alexis Huicochea.

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How Much Childcare Costs by State in the USA in 2022

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Source: Morning Brew

The childcare costs in the States are not affordable for families anymore. Most US families, who make the median income, cannot send their infant or toddler to daycare. It’s not because they don’t want to. It’s because they’re helpless in the face of inflation.

Of parents surveyed in the 2022 Cost of Care Survey, 72% say center-based care for their infant costs 10% of their family’s income. 51% of respondents spend more than 20%. Ironically, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) considers daycare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of their household income.

These competitive expenses allow new daycares and preschools to deliver quality care at reduced prices. Here’s a roundup of childcare costs by state for daycare owners to take as a benchmark for setting their pricing.

Breaking Down Childcare Costs

Source: Zippia

In most US states, childcare costs exceed the cost of university tuition. The 2022 survey by Care.com throws up some interesting insights from parents:

• 80% wish that childcare was cheaper
• 44% quit their job to look after their infant
• 65% say they would return back to their career if childcare becomes affordable
• 59% struggle to pay for childcare
• 35% said childcare costs prevent them from expanding their family
• 79% wish employers were more supportive of working parents
• 72% believe that daycare has become more expensive post-pandemic

The average cost of childcare in the USA is $14760 annually. But hardly any state meets this threshold. Unbelievable, isn’t it? Scroll down to see the average annual cost of daycare where you live.

Source: World Population Review

1.

Alabama

Annual childcare costs in Alabama

In Alabama, childcare for an infant comes in at an average annual cost of $6001. For a preschooler, the average cost is a little less – $5001 annually.

How do Alabama’s demographics impact childcare?

Because of a poverty rate of 16.9%, families in Alabama struggled with using tech to set up virtual classes during COVID-19, resulting in learning losses for 11% of children.

The Alabama government supports families with child care subsidies to assist with tuition payments. The mission of the program is to provide Alabama’s low and moderate-income families with equal access to affordable and quality child care services as they participate in work, educational, or training activities. Check out their website for eligibility information and how to apply.

2. Alaska

Annual childcare costs in Alaska

On average, a family spends $12120 on infant care and $10000 on toddler care, making its childcare services one of the costliest in America.

How do Alaska’s demographics impact childcare?

Although Alaska is the largest US state, it is the least populated state in the Union. The average population density in Alaska is 1.2 people per square mile. The median income in nuclear households is $51,651 annually, with families spending 20% on childcare. The Child Care Assistance Program provides assistance with child care expenses for eligible families who are working or participating in an education or training program. For more information check the government website 

3. Arizona

Annual childcare costs in Arizona

The residents of Arizona pay $10948 annually for infant care, while preschool for a 4 or 5-year child costs nearly $8900.

How do Arizona’s demographics impact childcare?

Although Arizona is the sixth largest US state by area, the average family earnings are low, with households making around $40,039 annually. However, parents expect childcare bills to lower as the fastest-growing state by population is attracting childcare service providers in hordes.

The Arizona Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) provides services to parents and caretakers who receive child support as well as parents who pay child support. Check their website for more information

4. Arkansas

Annual childcare costs in Arkansas

Yearly, parents in Arkansas spend $6890 on infant care and $5000 on a preschooler. The numbers may seem lower than the rest of the US states, but Arkansas has the 7th highest poverty rate, making childcare unaffordable for nearly 80% of its residents.

How do Arkansas’s demographics impact childcare?

Childcare spending accounts for 15-20% of their earnings, which isn’t surprising, seeing that a proportion of the population lives on the poverty threshold.

The Government Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education ensures that Arkansas children and families have access to a safe, high-quality, developmentally appropriate early-learning environment.

5. California

Annual childcare costs in California

The Golden State ranks number 4 for childcare costs in the US, according to a 2022 survey. Families in California typically spend a whopping amount of $16945 annually on infant care.

How do California’s demographics impact childcare?

Half of Hollywood resides in California, which justifies the skyrocketing childcare prices. Families spend nearly 20-30% of their annual earnings on care for a single child. For details regarding childcare licensing and programs you can check the government website

6. Colorado

Annual childcare costs in Colorado

Full-time infant care in Colorado costs $15325 annually on average. The residents spend about $15000 on care for 4 and 5 years olds/year.

How do Colorado’s demographics impact childcare?

A 2022 report by the US Congress Joint Economic Committee says that Colorado has the third highest average infant care costs. Since minimum wage workers earn nearly $25000 annually, they spend 50% of it on childcare, which burns a hole in their pocket.

Colardo Childcare Program

Colorado’s child care quality rating program, Colorado Shines, works to connect parents and caregivers with quality early learning programs — programs that can have a big impact on a child’s development and future success. You can read the details on this Government website

7. Connecticut

Annual childcare costs in Connecticut

While infant care in Connecticut sets parents back by $15591 yearly, parents of 4 and 5-year-olds have a slightly more affordable option.

How do Connecticut’s demographics impact childcare?

On average, nuclear family households make about $45359 annually, making childcare bills stressful for them.

Connecticut childcare program

Care 4 Kids helps pay for child care costs for low to moderate-income families in Connecticut. You can quickly check if your family may be eligible for care of 4 kids and submit an application online.

8. Delaware

Annual childcare costs in Delaware

For a single infant, a family has to shell out $11021/year to place them in daycare. On the other hand, childcare for a preschooler sets them back by nearly $10000/year.

How do Delaware’s demographics impact childcare?

Delaware workers make around $28000 annually. The minimum wages in the US state have been stagnant even though inflation has been on the rise. Latest statistics conclude that the parents end up spending 55% of their annual earnings on daycare services.

Delarware childcare program

This service provides support for families with children to enable the caretaker to hold a job, obtain training or meet special needs of the parent or child. For eligibility, you can check here.

9. Florida

Annual childcare costs in Florida

The average cost of center-based care for a toddler in Florida is pegged at $8000/year. The infant care costs have gone through the roof, with parents setting aside $9238 annually to pay for daycare.

How do Florida’s demographics impact childcare?

The cost of raising a child has gone up exponentially in Florida. However, daycare providers argue that a sizable part of their budget has to be allocated to tech – live-streaming classes, bus tracking, and a parent-teacher communication app. More parents prefer tech-friendly childcares now, a trend that picked up in Florida and has spread throughout the US.

Florida childcare program

Florida’s School Readiness Program offers financial assistance to low-income families for early child education and care so families can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future.

10. Georgia

Annual childcare costs in Georgia

Infant care in Georgia costs an average of $8520 annually, while placing a five-year old in a preschool is likely to cost a family roughly $7000/year.

How do Georgia’s demographics impact childcare?

Georgia’s median earnings are $40000 annually, due to which childcare becomes inaccessible to the minimum age worker who earns $20000/year.

Georgia childcare program

11. Hawai

Annual childcare costs in Hawaii

The state of beautiful beaches also has the highest cost of living in the US. Infant care in Hawai sets parents back by $13731 annually. Care for a preschooler, on the other hand, costs approximately $12000/year.

How do Hawaii’s demographics impact childcare?

The average earnings of married families in Hawaii is $108893 yearly and of nuclear families comes in at $49031/annum. The latter group struggle with affording childcare, spending 15% of their income on childcare management services.

Hawai childcare program

The Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH) subsidy program helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts, and job training by paying a subsidy for their children who are in the care of DHS-approved childcare providers

12. Idaho

Annual childcare costs in Idaho

The high infant care costs in Idaho – coming in at $7474/year – and challenges while hiring teachers are concerning because they affect the quality of care the majority of children in Idaho receive.

How do Idaho’s demographics impact childcare?

The current Idaho state minimum wage is $23000/annum an hour. Many families who make the median income in this US state can’t afford childcare costs as it takes up 18% of their earnings.

Idaho childcare program

The Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) serves families with children under the age of 13 or over 13 if a child has a disability, providing child care assistance to working families by paying for a portion of child care. The parent’s share is based on the size of the family and the amount of their income.

13. Illinois

Annual childcare costs in Illinois

The yearly cost of center-based care for an infant in Illinois is $13802. The daycare cost for a 3-5 year old child is nearly $12000/annum.

How do Illinois’s demographics impact childcare?

Childcare services take away an astounding 52% of the median yearly income of families based there.

Illinois childcare program

The Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) makes it possible for families and guardians who qualify to receive financial help.

14. Indiana

Annual childcare costs in Indiana

On an average, families pay $12612 for care for a single infant annually and the price of paying for a preschooler is nearly $10000/year.

How do Indiana’s demographics impact childcare?

Indiana has a diverse population. The most prominent races are Blacks and Hispanics, with 27% below the poverty level. In contrast, only 10% of Whites are below the poverty line. The median income of $30000-$50000 makes it difficult for parents to provide a developmentally appropriate education to their kids.

Indiana Childcare program

The Child Care and Development Fund is a federal program that helps low-income families obtain child care so that they may work, attend training or continue their education. The purpose of CCDF is to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care. For eligibility click here. 

15. Iowa

Annual childcare costs in Iowa

A childcare facility in Iowa charges $10379 annually for caring for an infant and an average of $8000 per annum for care for a toddler.

How do Iowa’s demographics impact childcare?

Situated in the midwest, Iowa’s population comprises farmers who work the farmlands and tend to the livestock. With 11.11% of people in Iowa below the poverty line and earning a median income of $35000-$60000, childcare providers struggle to market their childcare to mothers, the majority of whom stay at home to look after the children.

Iowa Childcare program

Child Care Assistance (CCA) is available to the children of income-eligible parents who are absent for a portion of the day due to employment or participation in academic or vocational training or PROMISE JOBS activities.  Assistance may also be available for a limited period of time to the children of a parent looking for employment. For eligibility click here.

16. Kansas

Annual childcare costs in Kansas

On average, childcare centers in Kansas charge $11222/year for routine infant care. For toddlers, the cost comes around to $10000 annually.

How do Kansas’s demographics impact childcare?

The median household income in Kansas is $61091 in 2022, with parents spending nearly 15% of their earnings to cover childcare costs for a single child.

17. Kentucky

Annual childcare costs in Kentucky

Parents in Kentucky expect to pay $6411 per year for center-based infant care and an average of $5000 per month for care for a preschooler. Kentucky has some of the lowest childcare costs by state for children aged 4-5 years old.

How do Kentucky’s demographics impact childcare?

Kentucky’s low cost of living makes it a terrific location to start profitable childcare, which is inaccessible to most families because of its paucity. There’s not a lot of competition in the childcare industry, giving you an opportunity to free parents from joining work by leaving their kids behind with you.

18. Louisiana

Annual childcare costs in Louisiana

Infant care costs $7724/year on average while care for a preschooler is likely to cost $6000 annually.

How do Louisiana’s demographics impact childcare?

Louisiana’s childcare costs are low compared to other US states, yet at a median salary of $50,800 per household, childcare owners and directors observe centers running at low capacity because it’s not within an affordable range for families.

19. Maine

Annual childcare costs in Maine

Childcare services in Maine are expensive to most families. While infant care costs $9449 per year, center-based care for preschoolers can cost $8000 yearly.

How do Maine’s demographics impact childcare?

Maine is one of the least populated US states. The majority of the people live in and around Portland, making it an ideal location to start your preschool. The median salary of families is above industry standards in Maine, which will help you turn your preschool profitable.

20. Maryland

Annual childcare costs in Maryland

Maryland families have to cough up $15335 annually for infant care while for the care of a 4-year-old, they end up paying nearly $14000.

How do Maryland’s demographics impact childcare?

The median wage of a household is $69110, which means families spend nearly 10% of their income on rearing children.

21. Massachusetts

Annual childcare costs in Massachusetts

Infant care services in Massachusetts cost $20913 per year, which is an exorbitant sum. Center-based care, on the other hand, for a preschooler can cost nearly $18500.

How do Massachusetts’s demographics impact childcare?

The high female unemployment rate in Massachusetts i.e. 24.39% can be attributed to costly childcare services. With the median income of an average household being $84,385, families spend nearly 20% of their earnings on childcare for their infants.

22. Michigan

Annual childcare costs in Michigan

Despite having a low cost of living, Michigan residents struggle to find high-quality, tech-friendly childcare options. Infant care for a single child in daycare costs $10861, while care for a preschooler is priced at $10000.

How do Michigan’s demographics impact childcare?

Contrary to regional patterns, Michigan’s population is dropping. Some economists are optimistic that Michigan can work to pass tax incentives to support childcare businesses. The state’s workforce continues to be primarily reliant on the declining US car sector.

23. Minnesota

Annual childcare costs in Minnesota

Childcare in Minnesota is more expensive than university tuition and rent combined. Infant care costs $16087 annually in the state while care for preschoolers costs $15000 per year.

How do Minnesota’s demographics impact childcare?

The Minnesota Department of Human Services helps connect parents with subsidy programs to cover the high charges of daycare reporting and other expenses as the family earnings are low in the state.

24. Mississippi

Annual childcare costs in Mississippi

A facility in Mississippi charges $5436/annum for infant care and $5000 per year for toddler care, making childcare cheaper than the rest of the US states.

How do Mississippi’s demographics impact childcare?

A minimum wage earner has to work for nearly 100 hours to cover the average cost of childcare in Mississippi.

25. Missouri

Annual childcare costs in Missouri

Parents in Missouri pay $10041 yearly for infant care and an average of $9000 for care for a four-year-old.

How do Missouri’s demographics impact childcare?

Visit the Missouri Department of Social Services for help with paying the daycare fee, in light of less employment opportunities in the state.

26. Montana

Annual childcare costs in Montana

Childcare centers in Montana charge $9518/year for infant care and $8000/year for toddler care, charging an average of $8350 across the state.

How do Montana’s demographics impact childcare?

The average household income in Montana is $56539, meaning parents have to spend 15-30% of their earnings on their children’s care.

27. Nebraska

Annual childcare costs in Nebraska

Parents are expected to pay $12571/annum for infant care in Nebraska and $10000 for toddler care, making it one of the most expensive US states for childcare.

How do Nebraska’s demographics impact childcare?

On average, Nebraskans make $60000 yearly, spending 20% of their earnings on childcare for a single child in the household.

28. Nevada

Annual childcare costs in Nevada

Infant care services cost $11408 yearly in Nevada, and toddler care is priced at $10000 annually.

How do Nevada’s demographics impact childcare?

The Silver State’s residents earn nearly $84000 annually, shelling out 7-15% of their income on childcare.

29. New Hampshire

Annual childcare costs in New Hampshire

A year of infant care in New Hampshire costs $12791. Toddler care comes in close at $10000 annually.

How do New Hampshire’s demographics impact childcare?

The median household income in New Hampshire is $77923. 17-20% of their annual income goes towards childcare.

30. New Jersey

Annual childcare costs in New Jersey

A year of infant care in New Jersey costs $12988. Toddler care, on the other hand, costs $11000.

How do New Jersey’s demographics impact childcare?

New Jersey is an expensive state, with the mean household income coming to $85245. Families in New Jersey pay some of the lowest portions of their salary, 10%.

31. New Mexico

Annual childcare costs in New Mexico

The cost of infant care yearly in New Mexico is $8617 and toddler care is priced at $7000/annum.

How do New Mexico’s demographics impact childcare?

The lack of reliable childcare in New Mexico results in existing childcare facilities making $570 million/per annum. Opening a licensed childcare center in the state is profitable due to many unregulated services having cropped up.

32. New York

Annual childcare costs in New York

The cost of infant care in New York is $15394/year and toddlers are cared for in facilities at the price of $14000 yearly.

How do New York’s demographics impact childcare?

Minimum wage workers earning under $50000 struggle to keep up with the rising infant care costs in New York, which takes away about 35% of their income.

33. North Carolina

Annual childcare costs in North Carolina

The infant care costs in North Carolina are $9480/annum and for toddler care, it is set at approximately $8500/year.

How do North Carolina’s demographics impact childcare?

Because of low earning potential and high living costs, families spend 20-30% of their incomes on childcare.

34. North Dakota

Annual childcare costs in North Dakota

There are currently 4,000 childcare providers in North Dakota, including group homes and centers, charging $9091 for infant care.

How do North Dakota’s demographics impact childcare?

An average household comprises 2-4 family members, with the median income being $49,475 annually. Families spend a staggering 35% on childcare.

35. Ohio

Annual childcare costs in Ohio

At an average of $9697/year, childcare in Ohio costs more than the yearly college tuition.

How do Ohio’s demographics impact childcare?

Ohio is one of the most densely populated and expensive US states, with families spending 32% of their annual income on covering childcare costs.

36. Oklahoma

Annual childcare costs in Oklahoma

Infant care in Oklahoma will cost families an average of $8576 per year for tuition at a daycare, while for four year olds, the centers charge an average of $7000 annually.

How do Oklahoma’s demographics impact childcare?

Since centers in Oklahoma have more amenities for working parents, such as bus tracking, it also causes the costs to go significantly higher.

37. Oregon

Annual childcare costs in Oregon

Childcare for parents costs nearly $13616 annually if they opt for a group home or a center-based service as opposed to a private center in Oregon, which costs more.

How do Oregon’s demographics impact childcare?

1 out of every 33 adults in Oregon has a child dependent on them to meet their basic needs. It costs nearly 21% of their total cash flow to take care of their infant/toddler.

38. Pennsylvania

Annual childcare costs in Pennsylvania

The financial impact childcare has on families in Pennsylvania is so severe that it keeps mothers out of work. They pay $11842 per annum for infant care and $10500 yearly for toddler care.

How do Pennsylvania’s demographics impact childcare?

According to recent statistics, the parents end up spending 20% of their annual earnings on daycare services.

39. Rhode Island

Annual childcare costs in Rhode Island

Infant care services charge $13696 and toddler care services charge $12000 yearly in Rhode Island.

How do Rhode Island’s demographics impact childcare?

The people of Rhode Island will enjoy improved communication with their children’s teachers if they weren’t struggling to pay the daycare fee, with 21% of their yearly cash flow allocated towards childcare services.

40. South Carolina

Annual childcare costs in South Carolina

The average childcare charges $7007 for infant care and $6500 for toddler care yearly in South Carolina.

How do South Carolina’s demographics impact childcare?

Although the US Human and Health Services advise that you shouldn’t pay more than 10% of a household’s budget, parents in South Carolina pay 20% of their annual cash flow to childcare services.

41. South Dakota

Annual childcare costs in South Dakota

The financial burden on parents varies in South Dakota because the US state has different childcare models, with parents paying $6511 yearly for infant care and $5500 for toddler care.

How do South Dakota’s demographics impact childcare?

The average earnings of a family in South Dakota are $37,574 annually. Women are paid much lesser, with their annual package being a paltry $30,772. They have to shell out 10-15% of their annual income for childcare services.

42. Tennessee

Annual childcare costs in Tennessee

Tennessee families pay $8732 annually for infant care. The costs for caring for preschool students is $6500/annum. Although it is slightly cheaper, it still makes a dent.

How do Tennessee’s demographics impact childcare?

The Tennessee Department for Children and Families helps connect parents with subsidy programs and daycare owners with assistance programs to streamline childcare budgets. Families typically pay through the nose, with childcare costing them 30% of their annual income.

43. Texas

Annual childcare costs in Texas

Childcare services in Texas are expensive compared to other states in the US. Parents shell out $9324 yearly for infant care and $8000/annum for toddler care.

How do Texas’s demographics impact childcare?

Texas is the second most populous state. With 20% of the population below the poverty line and households earning a median income of $63826 yearly, over 10% of earnings are directed towards childcare.

44. Utah

Annual childcare costs in Utah

Childcare centers in Utah vary in cost depending on their staff experience and location, but on average, they charge $9945 yearly for infant care and $8200 annually for toddler care.

How do Utah’s demographics impact childcare?

Center-based childcare in Utah increased their pricing by 27% during COVID-19, making them inaccessible for nearly 20% of their population.

45. Vermont

Annual childcare costs in Vermont

Infant care services are priced at $12813 yearly and toddler care services cost $10400/year.

How do Vermont’s demographics impact childcare?

The average annual wages of a Vermont resident are $54,084, with childcare taking away 23.7% of their earnings.

46. Virginia

Annual childcare costs in Virginia

The average yearly cost of childcare for infants is $14063 a year. On the other hand, the yearly cost of toddler care is $12780 a year.

How do Virginia’s demographics impact childcare?

According to the Economic Policy Institute, infant care takes up 18.2% of a median family’s earnings in Virginia.

47. Washington

Annual childcare costs in Washington

The state average costs for childcare have risen from $14554 to $18237 annually after COVID-19.

How do Washington’s demographics impact childcare?

Washington families spend 20% of their average mean income annually on childcare. Parents face fewer childcare choices as the costs continue to rise.

48. West Virginia

Annual childcare costs in West Virginia

The average annual cost of childcare for infants in West Virginia is $8736. For toddlers, it is $7600.

How do West Virginia’s demographics impact childcare?

The average annual rate for infant childcare is 4% above the average in West Virginia, with families making $48037 yearly.

49. Wisconsin

Annual childcare costs in Wisconsin

Infant care in Wisconsin costs an average of $12567 yearly. Annual childcare for a four-year-old comes in at $10870.

How do Wisconsin’s demographics impact childcare?

Because of far few regulated childcare facilities in Wisconsin, people below the poverty line are left out. Residents spend 20% of their annual earnings on covering childcare costs.

50. Wyoming

Annual childcare costs in Wyoming

Annual childcare for an infant comes with an annual price tag of $10647. For toddlers, it is $8756.

How do Wyoming’s demographics impact childcare?

Households in Wyoming earn approximately $40000 annually and spend nearly 22% of their total income to place a child in a center.

Wrap up

Depending on the place where you live in the US, you may qualify for a variety of tax benefits and subsidies. To set up a profitable business and maximize the value provided to parents, sign up on Illumine.

With our childcare management platform, you can automate fee reminders, manage the billing, track attendance, and charge parents by the hour, week, or month. We also offer various payment options that parents can avail of, like UPI, debit card, credit card, etc. for safe online childcare payments.

As a result, more parents will enroll their children with you because you offer them ease, convenience, and efficiency – all in one powerful platform.

Take the paperwork out of childcare management to never chase parents for overdue payments ever again. Spend 3x less time on manual bookkeeping and more time on caring for your student’s well-being by booking a demo with Illumine today!

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90,000 staff of fabulous landscapes. Open left menu arizona Most interesting sights

Arizona is the 48th state of the United States of America, which became part of the country in 1912. For centuries, this part of the North American continent has been inhabited by the Mogollon, Hohokam, Pueblo, and Navajo Indian tribes. Europeans appeared in Arizona only in the late 1520s, starting the colonization of the southwestern region of the mainland.

The state is an ideal place for travel, tourism and outdoor activities. Arizona has a huge number of different attractions and monuments. These are unique objects of nature, famous monuments of history, culture and architecture, engineering masterpieces. Millions of tourists from all over the country and guests from other continents seek to see the Grand Canyon or Barringer Crater every year.

Another name is the Great or Grand Canyon. It was created by the waters of the Colorado River, which flowed through the gorge of the same name. The streams of a powerful river have carved its walls for millions of years, giving the stones bizarre, unique shapes.

The length of the canyon is 450 km
, the width on the plateau reaches 29 km
. At the bottom, the canyon narrows to 1 kilometer. The depth of this unique natural object is 1.8 km. The Grand Canyon is part of the national park of the same name, created by the government in 1919 year.

The park is also home to the state and country-famous SkyWalk Grand Canyon. The structure is located on a rock, which allows you to view the canyon, caves, sheer walls.

The site has the shape of a horseshoe and protrudes 20 meters above the canyon. The surface on which visitors step is covered with glass. To enter the site, you need to rent special shoes.

Located in the north of the state, it is distinguished by the beauty of rocks and rocks. Once here, tourists feel an unreal, cosmic atmosphere, admire the unique landscapes. The canyon was shaped by rain and wind. It got its name due to the unique color of the walls, which have a red-brown tint, like the skin of an antelope.

The canyon is divided into two parts – Upper and Lower. You can see both parts, but the Lower Antelope Canyon or Corkscrew can only be seen accompanied by an Indian guide. This is due to the fact that this part of the facility is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation.

Has the status of a national park and is called Petrified Forest, located in eastern Arizona. The total area of ​​the park is 380 km2
. The name “Petrified Forest” comes from the fact that there are many trees and other fossils in the protected area. Most of them are 200 million years old. In the north of the park there is a desert called the Painted or Colored. It stretches to the Grand Canyon.

This is the first crater in the world whose cosmic (meteoritic) origin has been proven and substantiated scientifically. I did it at the beginning of the 20th century. geologist D. Barringer. The crater is located in the very center of the state, near the city of Flattaff.

The size of the crater is amazing. Its diameter is 1.2 thousand meters
, the depth reaches 170 m. The age is 50 thousand years. In 1967, the crater was listed as a U.S. National Natural Landmark.

The institution is located in Phoenix, Arizona. In the museum, when compiling the collection, the emphasis was on collecting and preserving objects of culture, everyday life, and works of art that belonged to the Indians. The exhibition includes paintings, photos, sculptures, Hopi dolls, jewelry.

In addition, all visitors have the opportunity to take part in master classes that provide training in weaving, weaving, pottery.

Location: 2301-N Central Ave.

Located near Camp Verde. The building, built in the 12th century, i.e. long before the birth of the ruler Montezuma II. The castle belonged to the Sinagua Indians, who built a five-story residential complex in the mountains. It got its current name after the American continent became the site of European colonization.

Location: Montezuma Castle Road.

Included in the list of national monuments of the country, located in the territory of the Navajo tribes. This is the northeastern region of the state. For more than 5 thousand years, representatives of the Navajo Indians have been looking for shelter and refuge here. Tours of the canyon are conducted only by the Indians; you can visit the tour called the White House Trail on your own. There are many historical sites on the territory of the canyon, the most famous of which is the Navajo fortress.

On the border of two states – Arizona and Nevada – in the late 1920s and early 1930s. a dam was built. The order for its construction was given by US President G. Hoover, who led the country during the Great Depression. This miracle of engineering was created to control the flow of water, to produce electricity.

Scorpion Gorge is located in Southern Montana Park near Phoenix. It was created by human hands, and is considered a mysterious place throughout the state. Created a gorge at 1936, an ordinary American W. Lunsford, who began to drag stones to his own land. This is how the Scorpion Gorge appeared, the complex of which includes a house and a shop.

A state park located in downtown Phoenix. Covers an area of ​​90,009,222 acres
, where golf, basketball, tennis, picnics, family recreation, entertainment are located. In particular, here you can go kayaking, canoeing, fishing, watching ducks. Also on the territory of Escanto Park there are lagoons, a beautiful amphitheater, children’s attractions.

Late 1960s American R. McCulloch came to London and bought an old bridge for $ 2.5 million, which was intended for demolition due to old age. He ordered the bridge to be dismantled and transported to the States. The transportation of blocks took more than three years. Stone blocks were used to line the reinforced concrete bridge that connected the two banks of the Lake Havasu City Canal.

Tucson base stores a huge amount of aircraft. To date, the number of aircraft and other equipment is 4 thousand
. These are fighters, and bombers, and aircraft that have not entered service, and helicopters, and ballistic missiles.

Many planes have already “flyed off”, but some models are still in use. Excellent climatic conditions have been created at the base, which do not allow aircraft and equipment to deteriorate. There is a museum at the base, where visitors are introduced to the history of US aviation and aircraft models.

This is a huge railroad park located in the heart of the city of Scottsdale. McCormick Stillman was created for the entertainment of adults and children who are happy to ride the train. He walks on the railroad, which is a miniature replica of the Pacific Railroad.

The territory of the park is covered with greenery, numerous attractions and carousels are placed in different corners. On 100 acres of land, models of steam locomotives, trains, locomotives were installed, and a railway was laid.

Location: 7301-E Indian Bend Road.

The gem of the Grand Canyon Park is Havasu Falls. This unique natural monument has several cascades from which streams of water fall. Tourists are amazed by the unusual bright green emerald color of the water.

The bed of the Havasu waterfall used to have a different structure, which is why the width of the reservoir was 70 meters. Under the influence of floods, the course changed, and the waterfall became somewhat “narrower”. At the foot of the waterfall, streams of water formed a beautiful lake with clean, cool water.

The reservoir was artificially created in 1956 when a dam was built in Glen Canyon. She blocked the Colorado River, which caused the formation of a reservoir lake.

From all sides the lake is surrounded by rocks created by sandstone. This is one of the many recreational areas in the United States where tourists come to rejuvenate through outdoor activities.

Beautiful cave created by nature in Palago Park. This is the border of the cities of Phoenix and Tempe. According to its structure, the Hol in Rock cave consists of several holes, which in shape form the entrance to the “bowl”.

This is a chamber located inside the hill, and at its peak there is another entrance. The hill is made of sandstone, blown by winds for many millions of years, amenable to erosive processes, washed away by water and rain. Historians argue about why a hole was made in the top of the hill. It is believed that this was a primitive observatory for observing the sun.

It was founded in the capital of the state – the city of Phoenix. The garden has an area of ​​59 hectares, on which a huge number of various plant species grow. The total number of species is 20 thousand, and is constantly increasing.

The centerpiece is given to cacti, of which there are more than 1350 species in the garden. Round cacti are recognized as the most beautiful species. In spring, the cacti bloom, and then the garden turns into the most beautiful place in the state.

Its founders in the 17th century were representatives of different faiths and religions, which was reflected in the architecture of the building. This is the oldest church in the state. Construction at the beginning 1690s initiated by the Jesuit, and completed the construction of the Spaniards, Mexicans and ministers of the Franciscan order.

The interior of the church has been completely preserved. Inside are sculptures that were brought from Mexico. Architects from this country also designed the interior of the church. She has a museum, a school of nuns, founded in 1872.

Location: 1950-W San Xavier Road.

The area of ​​the desert is 320 thousand kilometers
, which covers Arizona, California, the southeastern regions of Mexico. The Saguaro National Park is located on the territory of the desert, covering several deserts – Lechugilla, Yuma and Colorado.

The climate is arid, but not all of the desert is covered with sand. Therefore, there are more than 60 species of animals, 100 species of birds. Among the large animals, jaguars are worth noting. The largest plants are Saguaro cacti. Also on the territory of Sonara is the capital of the state, the city of Phoenix, and several large cities – Palm Desert Palm Springs.

A deep fissure snakes through the state of Arizona for more than four hundred kilometers. The Canyon owes its appearance to two rivers – the Colorado and the Walpay, which for many millions of years have been cutting through the sandy-stony land of the plateau. The wind polishing their surfaces also took part in the architecture of the ornate walls. The many stony rocks that open up in layers as the Canyon forms fill it with all sorts of iridescent hues.

Enjoy fantastic landscapes by visiting one of the greatest reserves in the United States – Grand Canyon National Park. The area of ​​the park covers almost five thousand square kilometers. The most visited area is the southern edge of the Canyon, where the most popular vantage points are located.

Of course, it is impossible to survey the entire Canyon, stretching from horizon to horizon. Previously, those wishing to see the panorama of the Grand Canyon on a large scale had to fork out for a helicopter tour. Architecture came to the aid of nature: in 2007, a completely transparent bridge was opened over a 1220-meter abyss, from which a truly breathtaking view opens.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon got its name due to the reddish-brown walls resembling the skin of an animal. The bizarre relief of the canyon is filled during the day with light pouring from numerous cracks. For several centuries, water and wind have carved depressions in the red sandstone. Rare heavy rains flood the canyon, washing away the top layer of sand – thus, the water forms an amazing internal relief of the rocks.

Antelope Canyon lies on the lands of the Navajo tribe and belongs to the Indians of this tribe. To get there, you need to pay a toll for passing through Indian territory.

Photographer’s favorite spot: Surprisingly, the colors and bizarre patterns of the rocks in the pictures look more colorful and fantastic than they really are.

What sights of Arizona did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Sonoran Desert

Sonoran Desert is one of the largest and most arid deserts in North America. It covers the territory of Arizona, California and the northwestern part of Mexico, which in total is more than 320,000 kilometers. On its territory is the Saguaro National Park, which includes the deserts of Colorado, Yuma and Lechugilla.

Despite the arid climate, Sonora is not completely covered with sand. More than sixty species of animals and more than a hundred species of birds live here. Only in this region of North America are found Jaguars and huge Saguaro cacti, more characteristic of Mexico. 17 Indian tribes live in the desert on reservations, preserving their ancient customs and customs.

The largest city is Phoenix with about 4 million people. The Coachella Valley is home to about 365,000 people and is home to several of the major southern resorts. Among them are Palm Springs and Palm Desert, known for their mild climate, when the temperature does not fall below 21 and does not rise above 32 degrees. Here, mango, citrus and fig trees are grown in orchards.

The colorful desert in northern Arizona, USA is one of the most amazing places on our planet. This is a large part of the North American Colorado Plateau. The most beautiful colored hills stretch along the Little Colorado River and form an absolutely incredible landscape. This desert is part of the famous Grand Canyon and is part of the Petrified Trees National Park.

The name of the desert was first used in 1858 by Lieutenant Joseph Eves, as he described the color bands of red, yellow, white, blue and lilac. The hot desert air sometimes turns into a pink mist or purple haze as colored dust rises into the air. Together, all the colors form an amazing rainbow that stretches across the desert, as if colored waves are pouring over the hills.

It took nature millions of years to create this amazing canvas. Faults in the earth’s crust, ocean waters, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, erosion and sun rays – these are just a few of the factors that worked on this amazing picture and created one of the most unique landscapes on the planet.

Havasu Falls

The Grand Canyon is one of the most amazing places on our planet. At first it may seem that this is a monotonous place, where the relief is represented only by reddish rocks and rocky formations of bizarre shape. But that’s not the case at all. The Grand Canyon is fraught with many amazing landscapes, among which the gem is the emerald Havasu Falls.

Many have seen it on postcards or calendars, but not many have been able to see it live. Havasu is located a kilometer from the Indian village of Supai, so it is often called “Havasupay” as well.

A few decades ago, the waterfall was called the Wedding Veil and was about 70 meters wide. But a severe flood changed the course of the waterfall to its current appearance. First of all, the impossible green-emerald color of the water is striking, which is constantly changing due to the high content of minerals in the water.

Falling water forms a large clear pool, pleasant for swimming on a hot day. The water in it does not fall below 21 degrees. A spacious sandy beach was formed on the shore, gradually leaving under the shade of trees.

Glen Canyon

Glen Canyon is one of the most popular American vacation spots. In 1956, the construction of a dam began here, as a result of which Lake Powell was formed – the second largest reservoir in the United States.

The picturesque shoreline of the lake is dotted with capes and cliffs, and sheer walls of red-orange sandstone rise above the water surface. All these formations are part of the once magnificent landscape – the Glen Canyon with majestic arches, caves, gorges, hills that have gone under water.

The Glen Canyon Recreation Area spans hundreds of miles and covers an area of ​​over 4,000 square kilometers. It offers vacationers boating, water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, walking, cycling and car tours.

Among the main attractions of Glen Canyon Park, in addition to Lake Powell, the Rainbow Bridge, which is known as the world’s largest natural bridge, is very popular. Beautiful landscapes can be enjoyed while admiring the Orange Cliffs – this is a dry desert, the temperature difference in which ranges from +43 degrees to -29degrees in winter.

At Lee’s Ferry, you can take a ferry ride down the Colorado River and walk or boat along the Escalante River.

Lake Powell

Artificial Lake Powell was created in 1956 when the Colorado River was dammed in Glen Canyon. The resulting reservoir was named after explorer John Wesley Powell, who in 1869 was the first to explore the Colorado coast in the area and described the beauty of the surrounding scenery. Lake Powell is one of the largest artificial reservoirs in the world.

Although the construction of the Powell Dam and Reservoir flooded ancient landscapes, it fits in perfectly with the surrounding landscape. The shores of the lake are framed by sheer canyon walls made of bright orange, red and white sandstone. The rich color palette of the rock formations blends beautifully with the blue-green waters of the Powell Reservoir.

Since 1972, the lake has been part of a recreational area and is considered a national treasure of the United States. Tourists coming here have extensive opportunities for outdoor activities – boating, exploring the surroundings from the observation deck. For lovers of photography, there is an opportunity to take beautiful pictures in the morning and evening, and even at night, when you can capture the movement of stars in the sky.

Are you curious to know how well you know the sights of Arizona? .

London Bridge in Arizona

In 1968, an American businessman from Missouri, Robert McCulloch, bought the old London Bridge to be demolished. The crossing was dismantled and transported to the United States, stone blocks were mounted as cladding in the reinforced concrete supporting structure of the bridge installed near the canal near the city of Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Prior to this, the London Bridge served as a crossing over the Thames for about 140 years, it was the first and for a long time remained the only bridge in London, survived two wars with their terrible destruction.

The bridge cost the entrepreneur $2.5 million and it took more than 3 years to transport it. But it was worth it: construction gradually developed around the bridge in Lake Havasu City, and the flow of tourists increased.

The most popular attractions in Arizona with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Arizona on our website.

And New Mexico. The state capital is Phoenix. The big cities are Tucson and Mesa. This state is inhabited by almost 6.5 million inhabitants, and its territory includes 15 counties. Arizona became part of the United States of America in 1912 and became 48 in a row.

This state is known for its huge tract of yellow pine, there are also plateaus, deserts and mountains. Tucson, Phoenix and Yuma are located in the Sanora Desert. The Grand Canyon is located in the northern part of the state. Twice a year in this state the rainy season. The main territory of the state is located in the Colorado basin, but at the same time there are the Mojave, Colored and Chihuahua deserts. In general, the climate of the state is warm and mild, although in each region it differs from each other. But winters in Arizona are quite cold, temperatures can reach almost -20°C.

Arizona ranks first among other states in terms of the number of people who speak and speak Native American languages. There is a fairly large percentage of illegal immigrants (almost 8% of residents). The majority of the state’s population professes Catholicism, but other religions are also very developed here.

Arizona is known for its copper, in this state 2/3 of the mineral of the whole country is mined. The largest field in the state is San Manuel. But besides this, softwood lumber is also produced here, animals are bred, vegetables and cotton are grown. It produces aircraft instruments and guided missiles, as well as computer equipment and optics. There are many military bases in the desert.

Arizona does not have such a variety of tourist destinations, but the ones that do exist are some of nature’s most unique creations. The main wonder of the state of Arizona, including the world, is the Grand Canyon, the depth of which reaches 1800 meters, it was formed by the Colorado River. Every year only this place is visited by a huge number of people who want to see one of the unique places in the world. The walls of the canyon represent columns and pyramids of different colors. This spectacle is simply unique.

“Petrified Forest”

You can also visit Monument Valley in the state, where you can see rocks of various bizarre shapes that stick out of the ground.

Another unique place in the state is the Petrified Forest National Park, where the remains of trees that are more than 2 million years old are stored.

And on the north side of the park is the Painted Desert, which radiates different colors due to the presence of minerals in the soil.

Related entries

Those wishing to see the Grand Canyon with their own eyes should go straight to Arizona. It is famous for its natural beauty and hot climate. At any time of the year, tourists will find interesting sights and unusual places here.

On February 14, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state in the United States. With an area of ​​295,254 km2, the state ranks 6th in the nation. It is home to over 6 million Americans of various ethnic origins. The largest city and capital at the same time is Phoenix. Its population is almost 1.5 million people.

The original inhabitants of the state of Arizona are the Indians of several large tribes: Hohokam, Anasazi, Mogollon, etc. For the first time, Europeans entered these lands as early as 1528. But due to the fact that Arizona was not rich in minerals, this territory was not cultivated and not settled by Europeans. Since the 16th century, the future state was a colony of Spain, but for a long time its only inhabitants were Indians. In 1821, Arizona passed into the possession of Mexico, which gained independence. And 32 years later, the United States bought it.

Features of geography and climate

Arizona has a very diverse relief, represented by mountains, plateaus, forests and deserts. The state is landlocked, but the Colorado River and its Grand Canyon are world famous. Arizona is one of the corner states of the United States and, in addition to other territories belonging to America, borders on Mexico.

A large area causes a variety of climates in different parts of Arizona. In the southwestern region, there are predominantly warm winters and hot spring-summer months. In the northern regions, the climate is completely different: it is quite cold here in winter, snow can fall, in summer the climate is mild, characterized by a large amount of precipitation.

Population and Religion

Most of Arizona’s population is Mexican. This is due to the proximity of Mexico and the fact that it once belonged to these territories. This is followed by representatives of Germany, Ireland and England.

As in most US states, Christianity is widespread here, divided in several directions. Catholics predominate. A fairly large percentage (17%) are atheists and representatives of other faiths (there are as many as 25% here).

Economic Features

Arizona’s economy is highly developed and ranks 21st in the United States. Most important industries:

• Copper mining (number one in the country)
• Mining
• Agriculture (Arizona is famous for growing cotton, cauliflower, citrus fruits)
• Tourism (Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular attractions in the US)

In recent years, industry has been actively developing here. There were factories for the manufacture of components for computers. Aerospace production is on the rise.

Large institutions

Arizona State University is considered to be the largest in America. It is interesting that initially it had the status of a school, then a college. And only in 1958 it received the status of a university as a result of a popular vote – the only precedent in US history. Known for its research focus and major scientific projects.

Second place goes to the University of Arizona. He has great achievements in the field of astrophysics and astronomy. It has more than one observatory in Arizona.

The most interesting sights

Tourists from all over the world seek to get to Arizona to see:

Grand Canyon
, considered one of the 7 natural wonders of the world (its depth is 1800 m)

Characterized by an unusual undulating relief

Crater from a giant meteorite

– National park with a large number of historical periods 9003 rocks0003

An observation tower that allows you to admire the eastern part of the Grand Canyon from a height of four floors.

Watch the video of our trip to the Grand Canyon:

Arizona
– Located in the southwest of the United States of America, the capital is the city of Phoenix, the population of Arizona is about 7,000 thousand people, the territory of the state is 295,254 km².
State nickname
“Grand Canyon State”, given because Arizona is truly the land of canyons, among which the grandest is the Grand Canyon, a national park and the name of Arizona’s canyon. The most beautiful view of the canyon you can see in the photo below is the bend of the Colorado River.
Border state
with and in the American West, with in the North of the USA, with in the Northeast of America, with in the East of the USA, and with the country of Mexico in the South. Arizona is a state of rocky mountains, huge canyons, deserts, mountain rivers and lakes, cacti and hot sun. Welcome to the wild west – Arizona.

Phoenix

Phoenix
– The largest city of Arizona (state capital) with a population of over a million people (about 1,500 thousand people). The city is very fast growing and, according to analysts, will soon become one of the four most populated cities in the United States, despite the fact that it is located in the very hot and dry US desert – Sonar. The city authorities are very good about climate, flora and fauna, so the city is amazingly green and attracts many tourists from all over the world, who can easily reach the city, thanks to the city’s well-developed transport hubs.

Tucson

Tucson
– the second largest city in Arizona (about 550 thousand people), like Phoenix, is located in the Sonar Desert, in the south of the state, but this does not prevent its rapid development. The city is located in the valley of the Santa Cruz River, in a semi-desert area. Tucson is a place where the production of rockets, electronics (including optoelectronics, which is why it received the nickname “Valley of Optics”) is developed. Near Tucson, there is the Saguaro National Park, which is a stunning cactus forest.

Mesa

Mesa
– It’s hard to imagine, but this Arizona town has a population of about 450,000 and is a fast-growing city founded by Mormons in 1878. In terms of population, the city surpasses Miami, Minneapolis and other popular cities, but at the same time it is considered a “sleeping” and quiet city.

Chandler

50 states: Arizona – American liFE

In , the 50 states section of , we are finally going to the Wild West. Arizona is incredible landscapes, the Grand Canyon and cacti in 3-4 human height. And how many stereotypes (thanks to Hollywood 🙂) exist about this state!

I invited Ulyana Kalinina to visit and asked if it was possible to meet cowboys and Indians in Arizona now, where to hide from the unthinkable heat, and how it is generally possible to live in such an unusual place.

Ulyana is a psychologist, HR and a mother in exile. And also the programmer’s wife, who survived 3 foreign moves in 4 years, and the author of a temporarily frozen project on adapting to a new life.

Well, let’s get acquainted?

Arizona on the US map | Blog about America American life

A few facts about Arizona:

– Arizona was in no hurry to become part of the United States and joined as the 48th state only on February 14, 1912;

– the state is located in the southwest of the country, the capital is Phoenix;

– Arizona ranks 6th in area in the US;

– population according to preliminary estimates as of July 1, 2018 – 7,171,646 people *;

– the average level of income per family (household) in the period 2013 – 2017. – $53,510 (for comparison, 90,353 in Connecticut – $73,781)**.

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* , ** – Data from the official website of the US Bureau of Statistics as of March 10, 2019

History of moving to Arizona and why did you and your husband choose this particular state?

We didn’t choose Arizona, it chose us 🙂