There were 2.3 million in Arizona when ‘75 - ‘76. That’s a lot of growth. When I lived in the White Mountains then, places like Pinetop, McNary, Showlow and Snowflake were typical little western backwater towns. You could go 100 miles and not see a stoplight. I’m sure it’s all changed now.
I grew up in Higley, pop 10?? Moved to Chandler 1961 when it was 12,000 & my graduating class at CHS was 100.
Today, Chandler is 250,000 and a dozen high schools-—many named after family friends.
We used to drag race next to Mesa Comm. College on Sat nite-—an 8-lane (empty) highway.