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Yavapai County, Arizona

Coordinates: 34°33′41″N 112°32′24″W / 34.56139°N 112.54000°W / 34.56139; -112.54000
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Yavapai County
County
Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott
Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott
Flag of Yavapai County
Flag
Official seal of Yavapai County
Seal
Map of Arizona highlighting Yavapai County
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
Map of the United States highlighting Arizona
Arizona's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°33′41″N 112°32′24″W / 34.56139°N 112.54000°W / 34.56139; -112.54000
Country United States
State Arizona
FoundedNovember 9, 1864
Named forYavapai people
SeatPrescott
Largest cityPrescott Valley
Area
 • Total
8,128 sq mi (21,050 km2)
 • Land8,123 sq mi (21,040 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  0.05%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
236,209
 • Estimate 
(2023)
249,081 Increase
 • Density29/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteyavapaiaz.gov

Yavapai County (/ˈjævəˌpaɪˌ/ YA-və-pye) is a county near the center of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census, its population was 236,209,[1] making it the fourth-most populous county in Arizona. The county seat is Prescott.[2]

Yavapai County comprises the Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the northern portions of Peoria and Wickenburg, the balance of which are in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

History

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Old gold specimen from an unknown Yavapai County mine. Size: 2.0 cm × 1.8 cm × 1.7 cm (0.8 in × 0.7 in × 0.7 in).

Yavapai County was one of the four original Arizona counties created by the 1st Arizona Territorial Legislature. The county territory was defined as being east of longitude 113° 20' and north of the Gila River.[3] Soon thereafter, the counties of Apache, Coconino, Maricopa, and Navajo were carved from the original Yavapai County. Yavapai County's present boundaries were established in 1891.

The county is named after the Yavapai people, who were the principal inhabitants at the time the United States annexed the area.

County level law enforcement services have been provided by Yavapai County Sheriff's Office since 1864.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,128 square miles (21,050 km2), of which 8,123 square miles (21,040 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (0.05%) is water.[4] It has about 93% of the area of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is larger than three U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware and Connecticut) and the District of Columbia combined.

The county's topography makes a dramatic transition from the lower Sonoran Desert to the south to the heights of the Coconino Plateau to the north, and the Mogollon Rim to the east. The highest point above sea level (MSL) in Yavapai County is Mount Union at an elevation of 7,979 ft (2,432 m) and the lowest is Agua Fria River drainage, now under Lake Pleasant.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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West Clear Creek Wilderness
West Fork of Oak Creek, in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness

There are nineteen official wilderness areas in Yavapai County that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Fourteen of these are integral parts of National Forests listed above, whereas five are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Some of these extend into neighboring counties (as indicated below):

Land ownership and management

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  • Private ownership: about 25% of Yavapai County's land (by area) is privately owned.
  • Public land: about 75% of the county's area is publicly owned, including
Yavapai-Prescott Tribe 1,413 acres (572 ha)
Yavapai-Apache Nation 685 acres (277 ha)

Flora and fauna

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There are numerous flora and fauna species within Yavapai County. For example, a number of plants within the genus Ephedra and Coreopsis are found in the county.[6] Yavapai County is also the location of several groves of the near-threatened California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera.[7]

Attractions

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Enchantment Resort near Sedona

Yavapai County is home to Arcosanti, a prototype arcology, developed by Paolo Soleri, and under construction since 1970. Arcosanti is just north of Cordes Junction, Arizona.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park is a private zoo. The park moved to the Camp Verde area from the East Valley in 2005.

Approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of the town of Bagdad lies the Upper Burro Creek Wilderness Area, a 27,440-acre (11,105 ha) protected area home to at least 150 species of birds and featuring one of the Arizona desert's few undammed perennial streams.[8]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18702,142—
18805,013134.0%
18908,68573.2%
190013,79958.9%
191015,99615.9%
192024,01650.1%
193028,47018.5%
194026,511−6.9%
195024,991−5.7%
196028,91215.7%
197036,73327.1%
198068,14585.5%
1990107,71458.1%
2000167,51755.5%
2010211,03326.0%
2020236,20911.9%
2023 (est.)249,081[9]5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1]
Yavapai County, Arizona – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 145,037 172,968 183,296 86.58% 81.96% 77.60%
Black or African American alone (NH) 589 1,104 1,415 0.35% 0.52% 0.60%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 2,355 2,799 3,319 1.41% 1.33% 1.41%
Asian alone (NH) 833 1,703 2,802 0.50% 0.81% 1.19%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 128 182 269 0.08% 0.09% 0.11%
Other race alone (NH) 89 188 1,071 0.05% 0.09% 0.45%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 2,110 3,361 9,647 1.26% 1.59% 4.08%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16,376 28,728 34,390 9.78% 13.61% 14.56%
Total 167,517 211,033 236,209 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 211,033 people, 90,903 households, and 57,597 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 26.0 inhabitants per square mile (10.0 inhabitants/km2). There were 110,432 housing units at an average density of 13.6 units per square mile (5.3 units/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 89.3% white, 1.7% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 4.9% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.6% of the population.[17] The largest ancestry groups were:[19]

Of the 90,903 households, 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.6% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age was 49.2 years.[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,290 and the median income for a family was $53,499. Males had a median income of $40,854 versus $31,705 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,527. About 8.8% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.[20]

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 167,517 people, 70,171 households, and 46,733 families living in the county. The population density was 21 inhabitants per square mile (8.1 inhabitants/km2). There were 81,730 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 9.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 70,171 households, out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,901, and the median income for a family was $40,910. Males had a median income of $30,738 versus $22,114 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,727. About 7.9% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Yavapai County is defined as the Prescott Metropolitan Statistical Area by the United States Census Bureau.[21]

Politics

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Yavapai has historically been the most Republican county in Arizona, though it has become rivalled by Graham and exceeded by Mohave since the turn of the century. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Yavapai County since Harry S. Truman in 1948, and even when the county did go Democratic in the Truman and Roosevelt eras, it typically did so by a smaller margin than any other county in the state.

United States presidential election results for Yavapai County, Arizona[22][23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 99,346 66.48% 48,717 32.60% 1,365 0.91%
2020 91,527 63.72% 49,602 34.53% 2,511 1.75%
2016 71,330 62.32% 35,590 31.10% 7,530 6.58%
2012 64,468 64.04% 33,918 33.69% 2,281 2.27%
2008 61,192 61.08% 36,889 36.82% 2,104 2.10%
2004 53,468 61.05% 33,127 37.82% 988 1.13%
2000 40,144 58.84% 24,063 35.27% 4,021 5.89%
1996 29,921 50.29% 21,801 36.64% 7,773 13.06%
1992 23,419 39.42% 18,268 30.75% 17,728 29.84%
1988 27,842 64.44% 14,514 33.59% 850 1.97%
1984 24,802 70.89% 9,609 27.46% 577 1.65%
1980 19,823 68.37% 6,664 22.98% 2,507 8.65%
1976 12,998 60.18% 7,685 35.58% 917 4.25%
1972 12,277 65.77% 3,977 21.30% 2,413 12.93%
1968 8,296 58.44% 3,989 28.10% 1,911 13.46%
1964 7,749 57.16% 5,747 42.39% 60 0.44%
1960 6,813 61.12% 4,325 38.80% 9 0.08%
1956 6,339 65.66% 3,315 34.34% 0 0.00%
1952 6,567 64.41% 3,628 35.59% 0 0.00%
1948 4,287 48.05% 4,439 49.75% 196 2.20%
1944 3,529 44.33% 4,395 55.21% 36 0.45%
1940 3,987 38.78% 6,217 60.46% 78 0.76%
1936 2,794 28.15% 6,628 66.77% 504 5.08%
1932 2,626 28.73% 6,326 69.20% 189 2.07%
1928 4,507 57.83% 3,285 42.15% 2 0.03%
1924 2,827 41.80% 1,800 26.62% 2,136 31.58%
1920 3,625 61.69% 2,251 38.31% 0 0.00%
1916 1,716 34.44% 2,893 58.06% 374 7.51%
1912 445 18.84% 1,001 42.38% 916 38.78%

Communities

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Former Superintendent's Residence, UVX Smelter, Cottonwood. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Indian communities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Geographic features

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  • Sunset Point is a cliff adjacent to Interstate 17. It has an elevation of 3,091 ft (942 m).[24] The Sunset Point Rest Area, located at the top of the cliff, provides travelers with a scenic view.[25]

County population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Yavapai County.[26][27]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Peoria (most of population in Maricopa County) 154,065 City 1954
2 † Prescott 39,843 City 1883
3 Prescott Valley 38,822 Town 1978
4 Verde Village 11,605 CDP
5 Cottonwood 11,265 City 1960
6 Camp Verde 10,873 Town 1986
7 Chino Valley 10,817 Town 1970
8 Sedona (partly in Coconino County) 10,031 City 1988
9 Wickenburg (Most of population in Maricopa County) 6,363 Town 1909
10 Village of Oak Creek (Big Park) 6,147 CDP
11 Williamson 5,438 CDP
12 Paulden 5,231 CDP
13 Lake Montezuma 4,706 CDP
14 Clarkdale 4,097 Town 1957
15 Dewey-Humboldt 3,894 Town 2004
16 Cornville 3,280 CDP
17 Black Canyon City 2,837 CDP
18 Cordes Lakes 2,633 CDP
19 Congress 1,975 CDP
20 Bagdad 1,876 CDP
21 Mayer 1,497 CDP
22 Spring Valley 1,148 CDP
23 Wilhoit 868 CDP
24 Yarnell 649 CDP
25 Seligman 445 CDP
26 Jerome 444 Town 1899
27 Peeples Valley 428 CDP
28 Ash Fork 396 CDP

Education

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School districts include:[28][29]

Unified:

Secondary:

Elementary:

Former school districts:

See also

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Citations

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  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. ^ Wagoner, Jay J. (1970). Arizona Territory 1863–1912: A Political history. Tucson: University of Arizona Press. pp. 58. ISBN 0-8165-0176-9.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2012. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  5. ^ Yavapai County Profile
  6. ^ T. Kearney, Robert H. Peebles and Elizabeth McClintock. Arizona Flora. 2nd ed. Berkeley: U of California P, 1940, 61 et seq., ISBN 978-0-520-00637-9
  7. ^ C. Michael Hogan. 2009. California Fan Palm: Washingtonia filifera, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg Archived September 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Upper Burro Creek Wilderness Archived June 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine—Wilderness.net
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Yavapai County, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Yavapai County, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Yavapai County, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 07-01: Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. December 18, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
  22. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  23. ^ Scammon, Richard M. (compiler); America at the Polls: A Handbook of Presidential Election Statistics 1920–1964; pp. 42–44 ISBN 0405077114
  24. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sunset Point (cliff)
  25. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sunset Point Rest Area
  26. ^ CNMP. "This site has been redesigned and relocated". U.S. Census Bureau.
  27. ^ "2010 Census Block Maps". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014.
  28. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Yavapai County, AZ" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022. - Text list - 2010 map (pages 1 and 2), 2021 text list - These maps indicate boundaries of municipalities and CDPs.
  29. ^ "School District Map" (PDF). Yavapai County. Retrieved December 28, 2024. - Indicates locations of unincorporated communities.
  30. ^ Turner, Scott (March 16, 2021). "WUSD expands in Yavapai County". Wickenburg Sun. Retrieved July 9, 2021.

General sources

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