Pima County, Arizona

History

Pima County, one of the four original counties in Arizona, was created by the 1st Arizona Territorial Legislature with land acquired through the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico in 1853. The original county consisted of all of Arizona Territory east of longitude 113° 20' and south of the Gila River. Soon thereafter, the counties of Cochise, Graham and Santa Cruz were carved from the original Pima County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 9,189 square miles (23,800 km²), of which 9,187 square miles (23,790 km²) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) (0.02%) is water.

Topographic features

Major highways

National protected areas

Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan

The award-winning Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) is Pima County’s plan for balancing the conservation and protection of our cultural and natural resource heritage with our efforts to maintain an economically vigorous and fiscally responsible community. Broadly defined, the SDCP considered the following elements: critical habitats and biological corridors, riparian areas, mountain parks, historical and cultural preservation, and ranch conservation. All five elements, along with fiscal analysis, were critical in forming a viable land management plan for Pima County.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 843,746 people, 332,350 households, and 212,039 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile (35/km²). There were 366,737 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 75.07% White, 3.03% Black or African American, 3.22% Native American, 2.04% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 13.30% from other races, and 3.21% from two or more races. 29.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.80% reported speaking Spanish at home.

There were 332,350 households out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,758, and the median income for a family was $44,446. Males had a median income of $32,156 versus $24,959 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,785. About 10.50% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 980,263 people, 388,660 households, and 243,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 106.7 inhabitants per square mile (41.2/km²). There were 440,909 housing units at an average density of 48.0 per square mile (18.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 74.3% white, 3.5% black or African American, 3.3% American Indian, 2.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 12.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 34.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 16.2% were German, 10.6% were Irish, 9.9% were English, and 2.8% were American.

Of the 388,660 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.4% were non-families, and 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 37.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,521 and the median income for a family was $57,377. Males had a median income of $42,313 versus $33,487 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,093. About 11.2% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Metropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Pima County as the Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area. The United States Census Bureau ranked the Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area as the 53rd most populous metropolitan statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012.

The Office of Management and Budget has further designated the Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area as a component of the more extensive Tucson-Nogales, AZ Combined Statistical Area, the 53rd most populous combined statistical area and the 59th most populous primary statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012.

Politics

Pima County is governed by a 5-member Board of Supervisors that set ordinances and run services for the areas that do not fall within any city or town jurisdiction.

Districts

The Pima County Board of Supervisors is responsible for steering public policy in the region.

The five-member board provides direction to the County Administrator and the county’s various departments as they work to ensure safe communities, nurture economic development, sustainably manage natural resources and protect public health.

In addition to overseeing the delivery of a host of municipal services, from roads to parks and libraries and law enforcement, board members also are responsible for approving the county budget.

Elected to four-year terms, board members also set the amount of taxes to be levied.

Along with the Board of Supervisors the Arizona State Constitution allows for 6 other county elected officials.

Cities

Towns

Indian reservations

Other communities

County population ranking

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

† county seat

Yearly Events

Locations of Interest

Recreation Attractions

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