Coconino County, Arizona

Coconino County is a large area in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census, it was home to 145,101 people, with Flagstaff serving as its main city, called the county seat. The county’s name comes from an old name for the Havasupai people who live there.

It is the second-largest county by area in the contiguous United States, covering 18,661 square miles—about 16.4% of all of Arizona. This makes it bigger than the nine smallest states in the country combined.

Coconino County includes the Flagstaff metropolitan area and Grand Canyon National Park, one of the most famous natural wonders in the world. It also includes parts of several Native American nations, such as the Havasupai, Navajo, Hualapai, and Hopi. Together, these groups make up nearly 30% of the county’s population. Long ago, the county was even the setting for a famous comic strip called Krazy Kat created by George Herriman.

History

After the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad was finished in 1883, the area in northern Yavapai County started growing quickly. People in the northern part found it hard to travel all the way to Prescott for county matters. In 1887, they asked to create a new county called Frisco County, but this didn't happen. Finally, in 1891, Coconino County was formed, and Flagstaff became its main city.

Geography

Coconino County is a big place! According to the United States Census Bureau, it covers 18,661 square miles (48,330 km²), making it the largest county in Arizona and the second-largest in the United States (not counting special areas in Alaska). It has more land than entire states such as Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.

The highest natural point in both the county and all of Arizona is Humphreys Peak, standing tall at 12,637 feet (3,852 meters). An interesting spot called the Barringer Meteor Crater is also found here.

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

According to the 2020 census, Coconino County had a population of 145,101 people. About 20.1% of the residents were younger than 18 years old, and 13.8% were 65 years or older. The median age was 32.5 years. In terms of gender, for every 100 females, there were 96.3 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 94.2 males. Most people lived in urban areas, with 67.6% in cities and 32.4% in rural places.

The racial makeup of the county was quite diverse. About 57.4% of people identified as White, 1.4% as Black or African American, 25.0% as American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% as Asian, and smaller percentages as Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander. Some people were from other races or from two or more races. Additionally, Hispanic or Latino residents made up 15.0% of the population.

2010 census

In the 2010 census, the county had 134,421 people living in 46,711 households and 29,656 families. The population density was about 7.2 people per square mile. The racial makeup showed 61.7% White, 27.3% American Indian, and smaller percentages of other groups. The largest ancestry groups included Navajo, German, Mexican, and English.

2000 census

The 2000 census recorded 116,320 people in the county. The racial makeup was 63.1% White and 28.5% Native American, among other groups. Many residents spoke Navajo at home, and some spoke Spanish.

Communities

Coconino County has many places to visit and live. Some of the bigger towns include Flagstaff, which is the county seat, Page, Sedona, and Williams.

There are also smaller towns like Fredonia and Tusayan, as well as many places known as census-designated places, such as Bellemont, Bitter Springs, and Cameron. Other smaller communities include Big Springs, Gray Mountain, and Happy Jack.

The county also includes several historical spots known as ghost towns, like Canyon Diablo and Two Guns, and is home to various Native American reservations, including the Havasupai Indian Reservation, Hopi Reservation, and Navajo Nation.

Politics

Coconino County used to support one political party but has changed over time. In recent years, it has mostly voted for the Democratic Party. The area around Flagstaff and some Native American reservations tend to support the Democratic Party, while places like Williams and Page lean toward the Republican Party.

Economy

Grand Canyon Airlines and Air Grand Canyon have their main offices at Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan.

In 2017, some of the biggest jobs in Coconino County were listed.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2019 many people in Coconino County worked in different areas.

Transportation

Flagstaff in Coconino County is a key spot for highways. Interstate 40 runs east and west, linking to Williams and Winslow in Arizona. Interstate 17 goes south from Flagstaff to Phoenix and Maricopa County. From Flagstaff, U.S. Routes head north to connect with the Grand Canyon National Park.

The Grand Canyon National Park Airport is located in Tusayan, near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is south of Flagstaff and serves mostly small planes but also has flights on two bigger airlines. There is a Greyhound Bus Lines stop in Flagstaff for travel along Interstate 40 and to Phoenix via Interstate 17. Amtrak stops in Flagstaff and used to stop in Williams, offering daily train trips to Chicago and Los Angeles. The Grand Canyon Railway is a fun tourist train running between Williams and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, except on Christmas. The Mountain Line runs bus services around the Flagstaff area.

Education

Coconino County has many school districts that help children learn. Some of the bigger schools include Flagstaff Unified School District, Grand Canyon Unified School District, and Tuba City Unified School District. There are also smaller elementary schools like Chevelon Butte School District.

Besides regular schools, there are special schools called charter schools, such as Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. Some schools are run by groups that work with Native American communities, like Greyhills Academy High School and Havasupai Elementary School.

For students who want to study after high school, there are colleges like Coconino County Community College and Northern Arizona University.