Oro Valley is in northern Pima County , six miles north of the Tucson city limits. The valley was formed by the Santa Cruz River joining Gold Creek in the Catalina Mountains . It sits at an elevation of 2,620 feet, covers over 34 square miles and has a current population of nearly 40,000. Oro Valley was incorporated in April 1974.

Oro Valley offers a broad range of community and cultural facilities including James D. Kriegh Park with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, racquetball courts and Little League fields; CDO Riverfront Park with tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields; and West Lambert Lane Park with a variety of natural hiking trails. Canyon Del Oro High School and Ironwood Ridge High School have baseball fields, tennis courts and running tracks. Oro Valley has two country clubs, one private and one public, and a total of four 18-hole golf courses and one nine-hole course. Tennis and swimming as well as other recreation activities are available at the country clubs.