Pima County, Arizona

Pima County
Pima County Courthouse
Official seal of Pima County
Map of Arizona highlighting Pima County
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
Map of the United States highlighting Arizona
Arizona's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°03′55″N 111°49′15″W / 32.06528°N 111.82083°W / 32.06528; -111.82083
Country United States
State Arizona
FoundedNovember 9, 1864
Named forPima people
SeatTucson
Largest cityTucson
Area
 • Total9,189 sq mi (23,800 km2)
 • Land9,187 sq mi (23,790 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.02%
Population
 • Total1,043,433
 • Estimate 
(2021)
1,052,030 Increase
 • Density110/sq mi (44/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional districts6th, 7th
Websitewww.pima.gov
Pima County Fair, 2007

Pima County (/ˈpiːmə/ PEE-mə) is a county in the south central region of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,043,433, making it Arizona's second-most populous county. The county seat is Tucson, where most of the population is centered. The county is named after the Pima Native Americans, also known as Tohono O'odham, who are indigenous to this area.

Pima County includes the entirety of the Tucson Metropolitan Statistical Area, and it is the third largest metropolitan area in the Southwestern United States.

Pima County contains parts of the Tohono O'odham Nation, as well as all of the San Xavier Indian Reservation, the Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ironwood Forest National Monument and Saguaro National Park.

The vast majority of the county population lies in and around the city of Tucson (2021 city population: 543,242), filling much of the eastern part of the county with urban development. As Arizona's second-largest city, Tucson is a major commercial and academic center. Other urban areas include the Tucson suburbs of Marana (population 44,792), Oro Valley (population 44,350), Sahuarita (population 29,318), and South Tucson (population 5,643), a large ring of unincorporated urban development, and the growing satellite town Green Valley. The rest of the county is sparsely populated; the largest towns are Sells, the capital of the Tohono O'odham Nation, and Ajo in the county's far western region.

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 United States 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

Adjacent counties and municipalities

National protected areas

Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan

The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) is Pima County's plan for desert conservation. The SDCP addresses natural and cultural resources, ranches, endangered species compliance and wildlife corridors.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18705,716
188017,006197.5%
189012,673−25.5%
190014,68915.9%
191022,81855.3%
192034,68052.0%
193055,67660.5%
194072,83830.8%
1950141,21693.9%
1960265,66088.1%
1970351,66732.4%
1980531,44351.1%
1990666,88025.5%
2000843,74626.5%
2010980,26316.2%
20201,043,4336.4%
2021 (est.)1,052,0300.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 843,746 people, 332,350 households, and 212,039 families living in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile (36 people/km2). There were 366,737 housing units at an average density of 40 units per square mile (15 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.1% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 3.2% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 13.3% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. 29.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.8% reported speaking Spanish at home.

There were 332,350 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% 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 24.6% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 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 10.5% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 980,263 people, 388,660 households, and 243,167 families living in the county. The population density was 106.7 inhabitants per square mile (41.2 inhabitants/km2). There were 440,909 housing units at an average density of 48.0 units per square mile (18.5 units/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.

The largest ancestry groups were:

  • 30.8% Mexican
  • 16.2% German
  • 10.6% Irish
  • 9.9% English
  • 4.5% Italian
  • 3.1% French
  • 2.8% American
  • 2.7% Polish
  • 2.4% Scottish
  • 1.8% Scotch-Irish
  • 1.7% Norwegian
  • 1.6% Dutch
  • 1.6% Swedish
  • 1.1% Russian

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.

Government, policing, and politics

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

In Arizona, counties are creatures of the state, and do not have charters of their own. The county Board of Supervisors acts under powers delegated by state law, mainly related to minor ordinances and revenue collection. With few exceptions, these powers are narrowly construed. The state legislature devotes considerable time to local matters, with legislative approval required for many of the most basic local issues.

Board of Supervisors and elected positions

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, Jan Lesher, 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.

Party District Name First elected Area(s) represented Official Website
Democratic District 1 Rex Scott 2020 Oro Valley, Marana, Catalina Foothills District 1
Democratic District 2 Matt Heinz 2020 Tucson, Sahuarita, South Tucson District 2
Democratic District 3 Dr. Sylvia Lee N/A Tucson, Marana, Three Points, Sahuarita District 3
Republican District 4 Steve Christy 2016 Tucson, Vail, Summerhaven, Green Valley District 4
Democratic District 5 Adelita Grijalva 2020 Tucson, Sahuarita, Green Valley District 5

Along with the Board of Supervisors the Arizona State Constitution allows for 7 other county elected officials.

Party Office Name First elected References
Democratic Assessor Suzanne Droubie 2020
Democratic County Attorney Laura Conover 2020
Democratic County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly 2020
Democratic County School Superintendent Dustin Williams 2016
Democratic Sheriff Chris Nanos 2020
Republican Treasurer Beth Ford 2000
Democratic Clerk of Superior Court Gary Harrison 2020

Pima County sheriff

The Pima County Sheriff's Department provides court protection, administers the county jail, provides coroner service, and patrols the unincorporated parts of Pima County. It is the seventh largest sheriff's department in the nation. Incorporated towns within the county with municipal police departments are Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita.

Politics

Being home to a major population center and a major research university, Pima County is one of the most reliably Democratic counties in Arizona. After voting Democratic through 1930s and 1940s, it swung Republican following major population increase after World War II, becoming a Republican-leaning county. However, in 1964, it rejected Arizona's native son Barry Goldwater by seven points, who won statewide by one point. However, despite the county's Republican lean, Democrats would not win 40% of the vote only twice - in 1972, when George McGovern lost in a 49-state landslide and due to a balloting error in the county, the Socialist Workers Party came a distant third with 18% of the vote; and in 1980, when Jimmy Carter, being largely insensitive to Western states' issues, also lost many votes to independent John B. Anderson. Following Bill Clinton's plurality victory by 12 points in 1992, all Democrats since 1996 have won the county by a majority and no Republican has come closer than six points in recapturing the county. In both 2016 and 2020, Donald Trump became the first Republican since Bob Dole in 1996 to fail to win 40% of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Pima County, Arizona
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 207,758 39.79% 304,981 58.41% 9,435 1.81%
2016 167,428 39.71% 224,661 53.28% 29,551 7.01%
2012 174,779 45.61% 201,251 52.52% 7,143 1.86%
2008 182,406 46.20% 206,254 52.24% 6,180 1.57%
2004 171,109 46.56% 193,128 52.55% 3,255 0.89%
2000 124,579 43.31% 147,688 51.34% 15,373 5.34%
1996 104,121 39.36% 137,983 52.16% 22,448 8.49%
1992 97,036 34.47% 128,569 45.68% 55,879 19.85%
1988 117,899 50.28% 113,824 48.54% 2,750 1.17%
1984 123,830 56.90% 91,585 42.09% 2,197 1.01%
1980 93,055 49.75% 64,418 34.44% 29,584 15.82%
1976 77,264 49.83% 71,214 45.93% 6,583 4.25%
1972 73,154 45.41% 56,223 34.90% 31,733 19.70%
1968 49,479 50.61% 39,786 40.70% 8,501 8.70%
1964 46,955 46.36% 54,120 53.44% 203 0.20%
1960 46,734 52.43% 42,171 47.31% 239 0.27%
1956 39,298 62.49% 23,536 37.43% 51 0.08%
1952 32,113 60.19% 21,237 39.81% 0 0.00%
1948 16,968 47.63% 17,692 49.66% 965 2.71%
1944 10,850 45.37% 13,006 54.39% 57 0.24%
1940 9,445 40.09% 14,035 59.57% 82 0.35%
1936 6,079 32.70% 12,249 65.89% 262 1.41%
1932 6,152 34.70% 11,061 62.40% 514 2.90%
1928 6,635 56.94% 4,976 42.70% 42 0.36%
1924 3,559 42.17% 2,594 30.74% 2,286 27.09%
1920 3,392 58.01% 2,455 41.99% 0 0.00%
1916 2,616 53.15% 2,079 42.24% 227 4.61%
1912 353 19.57% 693 38.41% 758 42.02%

Communities

Map of the incorporated and unincorporated cities and towns in Pima County. Also shown are the borders for the Indian Reservations in the county.
Astronaut photo of the open-pit copper mines adjacent to Green Valley, 2010. North is to the left.

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Indian communities

Other communities

Ghost towns

County population ranking

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Tucson 520,116 City 1775
2 Casas Adobes 66,795 CDP
3 Catalina Foothills 50,796 CDP
4 Oro Valley 41,011 Town 1974
5 Marana 34,961 Town 1977
6 Drexel Heights 27,749 CDP
7 Sahuarita 25,259 Town 1994
8 Green Valley 21,391 CDP
9 Tanque Verde 16,901 CDP
10 Flowing Wells 16,419 CDP
11 Tucson Estates 12,192 CDP
12 Vail 10,208 CDP
13 Picture Rocks 9,563 CDP
14 Valencia West 9,355 CDP
15 Catalina 7,569 CDP
16 Avra Valley 6,050 CDP
17 Corona de Tucson 5,675 CDP
18 South Tucson 5,652 City 1940
19 Three Points 5,581 CDP
20 Summit 5,372 CDP
21 Rincon Valley 5,139 CDP
22 Ajo 3,304 CDP
23 Sells 2,495 CDP
24 Arivaca Junction 1,090 CDP
25 Littletown 873 CDP
26 Arivaca 695 CDP
27 Santa Rosa 628 CDP
28 Elephant Head 612 CDP
29 Kleindale 500 CDP
30 Pisinemo 321 CDP
31 Topawa 299 CDP
32 Nelson 259 CDP
33 San Miguel 197 CDP
34 Gu Oidak 188 CDP
35 Why 167 CDP
36 Ali Chuk 161 CDP
37 Maish Vaya 158 CDP
38 Anegam 151 CDP
39 Cowlic 135 CDP
40 Ali Chukson 132 CDP
41 Wahak Hotrontk 114 CDP
42 South Komelik 111 CDP
43 Rillito 97 CDP
44 Haivana Nakya 96 CDP
45 Chiawuli Tak 78 CDP
46 Ali Molina 71 CDP
47 Charco 52 CDP
48 Ventana 49 CDP
49 Ko Vaya 46 CDP
50 Summerhaven 40 CDP
51 Nolic 37 CDP
52 Ak Chin 30 CDP
53 J-Six Ranchettes 20 CDP
54 Comobabi 8 CDP
55 Willow Canyon 1 CDP

Education

School districts with territory in the county, no matter how slight (even if the schools and administration are in other counties), include:

Unified:

Elementary:

Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind is based in Tucson.

Tourist attractions

Annual events

Locations of Interest

County Designated Historic Landmarks

  • Ferguson House, Hacienda Del Bosquito, Desert Treasures, Designated 2018
  • Harrenstein House, Designated 2018
  • Viewpoint, Christina and Earl J. Johnson House, Designated 2021
  • Jacobson House, Designated 2022

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-01-19 02:54 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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