This is a small town surrounded by a city, a place where to be a minority is to be in the majority. It's one square mile of people with a strong sense of independence, pride, and perseverance. After one thwarted attempt to incorporate to prevent the City of Tucson from annexing it, area residents successfully incorporated in 1939 and now have their own political structure and emergency services.
Businesses tend to be small and family-run.
Some of the best Mexican restaurants in Tucson are in South Tucson, particularly along S. 4th Avenue. Generally, the people and Spanish-style houses of South Tucson have populated the area for generations. The residents fix up the homes, add to them, or perhaps move to better housing, usually in the same area. Real estate is not in demand here except by existing residents of South Tucson, recent immigrants from Mexico, or small-business owners. Its schools are part of the Tucson Unified School District.