Greenlee County, Arizona

History

Greenlee County was created in 1909 and named for Mason Greenlee who was an early settler in the Clifton area. It was Arizona's 14th county and formed from part of Graham County, which opposed the formation because Graham County would lose considerable revenue. Clifton has always been the county seat.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,848 square miles (4,790 km²), of which 1,843 square miles (4,770 km²) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km²) (0.3%) is water. It is the second-smallest county by area in Arizona.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Major Highways

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,547 people, 3,117 households, and 2,266 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 3,744 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 74.17% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 1.66% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 20.02% from other races, and 3.45% from two or more races. 43.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.19% reported speaking Spanish at home [1].

There were 3,117 households out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the county, the population was spread out with 31.70% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 109.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,384, and the median income for a family was $43,523. Males had a median income of $38,952 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,814. About 8.00% of families and 9.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.10% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,437 people, 3,188 households, and 2,152 families residing in the county. The population density was 4.6 inhabitants per square mile (1.8/km²). There were 4,372 housing units at an average density of 2.4 per square mile (0.93/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.2% white, 2.3% American Indian, 1.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 15.0% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 47.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 12.9% were English, 12.1% were German, 10.6% were Irish, and 1.6% were American.

Of the 3,188 households, 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.21. The median age was 34.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,696 and the median income for a family was $51,729. Males had a median income of $50,446 versus $34,171 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,281. About 9.4% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Greenlee County used to be the most reliably Democratic county in Arizona. It voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 1912 to 1996, being one of only seven Mountain State counties to support George McGovern. However, it has supported the Republican candidate in each of the five most recent presidential elections.

The county is located in Arizona's 1st congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+3 and is represented by Democratic Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick. In the Arizona House of Representatives it is represented by Republican Bob Thorpe and Republican Brenda Barton. In the Arizona Senate it is represented by Republican Sylvia Allen.

Towns

Census-designated place

Other communities

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Greenlee County.

† county seat