Chandler is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. Chandler is one of the major suburbs of Phoenix. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 176,582. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 234,939. Chandler is an example of modern urban sprawl (its population boomed from a 1980 figure of 30,000 to a 2007 figure of over 240,000). The city contains a large amount of modest tract home developments. Computer chip manufacturer Intel has a major presence in Chandler with four locations within the city. Other technology firms also have operations within the city. In 2001, a 1.3 million square-foot shopping mall, the Chandler Fashion Center, opened in Chandler.

The City of Chandler, AZ boasts world-class golf facilities, Arizona resorts, fabulous restaurants of every cuisine, premier shopping and tons of fun activities. Plus we are graced with near perfect weather - more than 330 sunny days a year, and an average temperature of 85 degrees making the City of Chandler, AZ a great place to visit.

Most of Chandler is zoned to schools in the Chandler Unified School District

x` These schools are:

• Chandler High School
• Hamilton High School
• Bashra High School

The primary institution of higher education is Chandler–Gilbert Community College. Private educational institituions Western International University and Apollo Group subsidiary University of Phoenix have locations here. Arizona State University is located 14 miles from downtown in Tempe.

Cultural Attractions

Chandler is noted for its annual Ostrich Festival. Initially, agriculture was the primary business in Chandler, based on cotton, corn, and alfalfa. During the 1910s, there were ostrich farms in the area, catering to the demand for plumes used in women's hats of the era. This demand ebbed with the increasing popularity of the automobile, but the legacy of the ostrich farms would be commemorated by the Ostrich Festival. The Chandler Center for the Arts, a 1500-seat regional performing arts venue, and the ArizonaRailway Museum are both located downtown.

Links

• City of Chandler information – www.chandleraz.com
• Chandler Local News – www.chandlerlocalnews.com