Coconino County, Arizona

Coordinates: 35°42′N 111°30′W / 35.700°N 111.500°W / 35.700; -111.500
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Coconino County
Old Coconino County Courthouse in Flagstaff
Old Coconino County Courthouse in Flagstaff
Flag of Coconino County
Official logo of Coconino County
Map of Arizona highlighting Coconino County
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
Map of the United States highlighting Arizona
Arizona's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°42′N 111°30′W / 35.700°N 111.500°W / 35.700; -111.500
Country United States
State Arizona
FoundedFebruary 18, 1891
Named forHopi designation for the Havasupai, Hualapai, and/or Yavapai tribes
SeatFlagstaff
Largest cityFlagstaff
Area
 • Total18,661 sq mi (48,330 km2)
 • Land18,619 sq mi (48,220 km2)
 • Water43 sq mi (110 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total145,101
 • Estimate 
(2021)
145,052 Decrease
 • Density7.8/sq mi (3.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional district2nd
Websitecoconino.az.gov
Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona
Great blue herons at Tonys Tank (near Mormon Lake), Coconino National Forest, San Francisco Peaks in background
Hahonogeh Canyon
Grand Canyon Railway 29 in Williams

Coconino County is a county in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. Its population was 145,101 at the 2020 census.[1] The county seat is Flagstaff.[2] The county takes its name from Cohonino,[3] a name applied to the Havasupai people. It is the second-largest county by area in the contiguous United States, behind San Bernardino County, California. It has 18,661 sq mi (48,300 km2), or 16.4% of Arizona's total area, and is larger than the nine smallest states in the U.S.

Coconino County comprises the Flagstaff metropolitan statistical area, Grand Canyon National Park, the federally recognized Havasupai Nation, and parts of the federally recognized Navajo, Hualapai, and Hopi nations. As a result, its relatively large Native American population makes up nearly 30% of the county's total population; it is mostly Navajo, with smaller numbers of other tribes.

The county was the setting for George Herriman's early 20th-century Krazy Kat comic strip.

History[edit]

After European Americans completed the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in 1883, the region of northern Yavapai County began to undergo rapid growth. The people of the northern reaches had tired of the rigors of traveling to Prescott to conduct county business. They believed that they should have their own county jurisdiction, so petitioned in 1887 for secession from Yavapai and creation of a new Frisco County. This did not take place, but Coconino County was formed in 1891 and its seat was designated as Flagstaff.

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 18,661 square miles (48,330 km2), of which 18,619 square miles (48,220 km2) are land and 43 square miles (110 km2) (0.2%) are covered by water.[4] It is the largest county by area in Arizona and the second-largest county in the United States (excluding boroughs in Alaska) after San Bernardino County in California. It has more land area than each of the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The highest natural point in the county, as well as the entire state, is Humphreys Peak at 12,637 ft or 3,852 m. The Barringer Meteor Crater is located in Coconino County.

Adjacent counties[edit]

Indian reservations[edit]

Coconino County has 7,142 sq mi (18,497.7 km2) of federally designated Indian reservations, second in scale only to Apache County. In descending order of area within the county, the reservations are the Navajo, Hualapai, Hopi, Havasupai, and Kaibab. The Havasupai Reservation is the only one that lies entirely within the county's borders.

National protected areas[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19005,514
19108,13047.4%
19209,98222.8%
193014,06440.9%
194018,77033.5%
195023,91027.4%
196041,85775.1%
197048,32615.5%
198075,00855.2%
199096,59128.8%
2000116,32020.4%
2010134,42115.6%
2020145,1017.9%
2021 (est.)145,052[5]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census[edit]

As of the census of 2000, 116,320 people, 40,448 households, and 26,938 families were living in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile (2.3 people/km2). The 53,443 housing units averaged 3 units per square mile (1.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 63.1% White, 28.5% Native American, 1.0% African American, 0.8% Asian, 4.2% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. About 10.9% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. Around 18.6% reported speaking Navajo at home, while 6.6% spoke Spanish.[10]

Of the 40,448 households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were not families. About 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80, and the average family size was 3.36.

In the county, the age distribution was 28.7% under 18, 14.4% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,256, and for a family was $45,873. Males had a median income of $32,226 versus $25,055 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,139. About 13.1% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[edit]

As of the census of 2010, 134,421 people, 46,711 households, and 29,656 families were living in the county.[11] The population density was 7.2 inhabitants per square mile (2.8 inhabitants/km2). The 63,321 housing units had an average density of 3.4 units per square mile (1.3 units/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 61.7% White (55.2% non-Hispanic White), 27.3% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 1.2% African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.5% of the population.[11] The largest ancestry groups were:[13]

Of the 46,711 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.5% were not families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.69, and the average family size was 3.26. The median age was 31.0 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $49,510 and for a family was $58,841. Males had a median income of $42,331 versus $31,869 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,632. About 11.6% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Communities[edit]

Map showing the borders for incorporated and unincorporated areas in Coconino County. Also shown are borders for Indian reservations.

Cities[edit]

Towns[edit]

Census-designated places[edit]

Dinosaur track near Tuba City

Other communities[edit]

Ghost towns[edit]

Indian reservations[edit]

County population ranking[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Coconino County.[15][16] county seat

Rank City/town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Flagstaff 65,870 City 1928
2 Sedona (mostly in Yavapai County) 10,031 City 1988
3 Tuba City 8,611 CDP
4 Page 7,247 City 1975
5 Doney Park 5,395 CDP
6 Williams 3,023 City 1901
7 Kachina Village 2,622 CDP
8 Grand Canyon Village 2,004 CDP
9 Kaibito 1,522 CDP
10 LeChee 1,443 CDP
11 Fredonia 1,314 Town 1956
12 Parks 1,188 CDP
13 Mountainaire 1,119 CDP
14 Moenkopi 964 CDP
15 Leupp 951 CDP
16 Cameron 885 CDP
17 Valle 832 CDP
18 Fort Valley 779 CDP
19 Munds Park 631 CDP
20 Tusayan 558 Town 2010
21 Tonalea 549 CDP
22 Bitter Springs 452 CDP
23 Winslow West (mostly in Navajo County) 438 CDP
24 Tolani Lake 280 CDP
25 Supai 208 CDP
26 Kaibab (mostly in Mohave County) 124 CDP

Politics[edit]

Coconino County has trended towards the Democratic Party in modern times after being a Republican stronghold between the 1950s and 1980s. It was won by every Republican presidential nominee between 1952 and 1988; however, no Republican since George H. W. Bush in 1988 has managed to come within 6% of reclaiming the county. It is the only county from any state west of the Mississippi River – apart from Black Belt Madison Parish and Tensas Parish which are directly adjacent to that river – that voted for Barry Goldwater in 1964 but has since voted for the Democratic nominee in the eight most recent presidential elections.

United States presidential election results for Coconino County, Arizona[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 27,052 36.74% 44,698 60.70% 1,882 2.56%
2016 21,108 35.31% 32,404 54.20% 6,272 10.49%
2012 21,220 40.84% 29,257 56.30% 1,485 2.86%
2008 22,186 40.65% 31,433 57.59% 964 1.77%
2004 22,526 43.00% 29,243 55.82% 622 1.19%
2000 17,562 42.96% 20,280 49.60% 3,041 7.44%
1996 13,638 35.40% 20,475 53.15% 4,409 11.45%
1992 13,769 32.31% 18,888 44.32% 9,961 23.37%
1988 16,649 51.80% 14,660 45.61% 831 2.59%
1984 17,581 59.13% 11,528 38.77% 626 2.11%
1980 14,613 55.78% 7,832 29.89% 3,754 14.33%
1976 11,036 51.53% 9,450 44.12% 932 4.35%
1972 10,611 61.02% 6,250 35.94% 528 3.04%
1968 6,765 59.38% 3,504 30.76% 1,123 9.86%
1964 5,756 52.15% 5,270 47.75% 11 0.10%
1960 4,870 54.45% 4,065 45.45% 9 0.10%
1956 4,044 63.50% 2,314 36.33% 11 0.17%
1952 3,827 61.38% 2,408 38.62% 0 0.00%
1948 2,093 47.13% 2,309 51.99% 39 0.88%
1944 1,786 44.34% 2,236 55.51% 6 0.15%
1940 1,913 38.64% 3,025 61.10% 13 0.26%
1936 1,140 29.77% 2,578 67.33% 111 2.90%
1932 1,110 28.81% 2,689 69.79% 54 1.40%
1928 1,717 59.19% 1,172 40.40% 12 0.41%
1924 1,045 45.10% 711 30.69% 561 24.21%
1920 1,342 63.21% 781 36.79% 0 0.00%
1916 802 38.71% 1,171 56.52% 99 4.78%
1912 237 27.72% 339 39.65% 279 32.63%

Economy[edit]

Grand Canyon Airlines and Air Grand Canyon are headquartered on the grounds of Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan.[18][19]

In 2017, the largest employers in Coconino County were:[20]

# Employer # of employees
1 Northern Arizona University 3,500
2 W.L. Gore & Associates 3,060
3 Flagstaff Medical Center 2,180
4 Flagstaff Unified School District 1,590
5 Aramark 1,310
6 Coconino County 1,080
7 City of Flagstaff 750
8 National Park Service 700
9 Page Unified School District 8 680
10 State of Arizona 670
11 Grand Canyon Railway 600
12 Haven of Flagstaff 510
13 Salt River Project 500
14 United States Forest Service 490
15 Walmart 470

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2019 the employment of Coconino County in the following sectors was:[21]

Sector Number of jobs Percent National percent
Accommodation and food services 14,472 16.6% 7.5%
Health care and social assistance 9,901 11.4% 11.3%
Retail trade 8,201 9.4% 9.4%
State government 8,078 9.3% 2.7%
Local government 7,780 8.9% 7.1%
Manufacturing 4,202 4.8% 6.7%
Real estate and rental and leasing 4,072 4.7% 4.8%
Other services (except government) 3,883 4.5% 5.8%
Professional, scientific, and technical services 3,777 4.3% 7.2%
Construction 3,766 4.3% 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, and recreation 3,507 4.0% 2.4%
Federal civilian 2,687 3.1% 1.4%
Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services 2,592 3.0% 6.2%
Transportation and warehousing 2,162 2.5% 4.5%
Farming 2,110 2.4% 1.3%
Finance and insurance 1,813 2.1% 5.4%
Wholesale trade 1,235 1.4% 3.2%
Educational services 1,109 1.3% 2.4%
Information 715 0.8% 1.7%
Military 291 0.3% 1.0%
Forestry, fishing, and related activities 230 0.3% 0.5%
Management of companies and enterprises 216 0.2% 1.4%
Utilities 185 0.2% 0.3%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 175 0.2% 0.6%
Total 87,159 100.0% 100.0%

Transportation[edit]

Flagstaff in Coconino County is a major highway junction, with Interstate 40 extending to the east and the west (connecting with Williams and Winslow, Arizona, for example), and with Interstate 17 extending south from Flagstaff to Phoenix and Maricopa County. U.S. Routes 89 and 180 extend north from Flagstaff and connect it with the Grand Canyon National Park.

The Grand Canyon National Park Airport is a public airport located in Tusayan,[18] near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is a public airport located four miles (6.4 km) south of the central business district of Flagstaff, it is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by two commercial airlines.

There is a Greyhound Bus Lines station in Flagstaff, with regular service east–west along Interstate 40, and also north–south service to Phoenix along Interstate 17.

Amtrak has a passenger railroad stations in Flagstaff and formerly in Williams, with daily service on the Southwest Chief to the east towards Chicago, and to the west towards Los Angeles.

The Grand Canyon Railway, a tourist railroad, links Williams with the canyon's South Rim in the Grand Canyon National Park and has service every day except Christmas.

The Mountain Line provides public transportation bus service in the Flagstaff area.

Major highways[edit]

Education[edit]

School districts include:[22]

K-12:

Elementary:

According to Coconino County's parcel viewer, some reservation areas are in the "Unorganized School District #00".[23] According to Arizona law, an unorganized school district is one that does not have a high school.[24] The 2010 U.S. Census school district map for Coconino County shows areas in the Havasupai and Hualapai reservations as being in "School District Not Defined".[25]

Charter schools:

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-operated and affiliated tribal schools

Tertiary education:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "History of Coconino". Archived from the original on January 17, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "Language Map Data Center".
  11. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  13. ^ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  14. ^ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  15. ^ Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census".
  16. ^ Geography, US Census Bureau. "2010 Census Block Maps".
  17. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Our Location Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." Grand Canyon Airlines. Retrieved on October 3, 2009.
  19. ^ "Locate Us Archived March 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Air Grand Canyon. Retrieved on October 3, 2009.
  20. ^ Coconino County – Business, Jobs, and Industry Highlights
  21. ^ "Apps Test | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)". Apps.bea.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  22. ^ "2020 census - school district reference map: Coconino County, AZ" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list
  23. ^ "Coconino County Parcel Viewer". Coconino County. Retrieved July 11, 2021. - Permalink to map with school district boundary Archived January 17, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Article 15 Student Eligibility Rules" (PDF). Paradise Valley Unified School District. p. 38 (PDF p. 2/14). Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  25. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Coconino County, AZ" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 12, 2024. - Text list

External links[edit]