It Started in 1789....
The
actual meaning of the name “Tubac” has been elusive over the
years. In the Pima language, “tu” means “black” and “ba’a” means “pool
of water.”
Spanish soldiers first settled Tubac in 1789, establishing it as the first European settlement in Arizona. Don Toribio de Otero received the first land grant in the Southwest from the King of Spain to cultivate fruit tree orchards and feed the local garrison stationed at the nearby fort. Otero’s 400-acre ranch is located just north of the village of Tubac.
Today, Tubac is not only a popular vacation destination, but is also home to a vibrant art community of over 100 artisans who create and showcase their work in the many galleries and studios of Tubac village. Sitting at 3500 above the desert floor, Tubac enjoys cooler summer temperatures than Tucson or Phoenix, and is home to the eponymous Tubac Golf Resort & Spa. For retirees and those seeking to purchase a second home, Tubac is a warm and welcoming paradise that's also nearby all local services.
Why Tubac?
Great Location 
Tubac is located in Santa Cruz County, at the southernmost end of the state of Arizona, 35 miles southeast of Tucson. With a year-round economy that benefits from its temperate climate, Tubac has a population of 949 residents (2000 Census), with median household income over 30% higher than the county average. That figure jumps to nearly 50% for households with families. Tubac’s per capita income ($46,643) is nearly four times the nationwide average, and almost twice Arizona's.
Cooler Climate
Summer temperatures in Tubac hover around 97 degrees, several degrees cooler than Tucson and Phoenix. At an elevation of 3,200 feet, the city’s air is crisp and clean, and the annual precipitation is 15.8 inches. Tubac's cooler climate and higher elevation makes the city a comfortable oasis rising above the surrounding desert landscape.
Growing Community
According to the Arizona Department of Commerce, Tubac’s unemployment rate is steady at 3.7%, which is a full percentage point lower than the national average and .2% lower than the state’s average. Since 1990, the city has more than doubled in Net Assessed Value (from $21.9 million to $54.1 million). With a thriving economy, growing population and comfortable year-round climate, the housing market in Tubac will surely keep getting brighter.