Gila County, Arizona

Gila County is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2010 census its population was 53,597.[1] The county seat is Globe.[2]

Gila County
U.S. county
Gila County Courthouse in Globe
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
Arizona's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°47′28″N 110°50′11″W
Country United States
State Arizona
FoundedFebruary 8, 1881
SeatGlobe
Largest townPayson
Area
 • Total4,795 sq mi (12,420 km2)
 • Land4,758 sq mi (12,320 km2)
 • Water38 sq mi (100 km2)  0.8%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total53,597
 • Estimate 
(2019)
54,018
 • Density11/sq mi (4.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional districts1st, 4th
Websitewww.gilacountyaz.gov

Gila County comprises the Payson, Arizona Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Gila County contains parts of Fort Apache Indian Reservation and San Carlos Indian Reservation.

History

The county was formed from parts of Maricopa County and Pinal County on February 8, 1881.[3] The boundary was then extended eastward to the San Carlos River by public petition in 1889. The original county seat was in the mining community of Globe City, now Globe, Arizona.

Popular theory says that the word Gila was derived from a Spanish contraction of Hah-quah-sa-eel, a Yuma word meaning "running water which is salty".[4]

In the 1880s, a long range war broke out in Gila County that became the most costly feud in American history, resulting in an almost complete annihilation of the families involved. The Pleasant Valley War (also sometimes called the Tonto Basin Feud or Tonto Basin War) matched the cattle-herding Grahams against the sheep-herding Tewksburys. Once partisan feelings became tense and hostilities began, Frederick Russell Burnham, who later became a celebrated scout and the inspiration for the boy scouts, was drawn into the conflict on the losing side.[5][6] Burnham shot many men in the feud, and was himself nearly killed by a bounty hunter.[7] Tom Horn, a famous assassin, was also known to have taken part as a killer for hire, but it is unknown as to which side employed him, and both sides suffered several murders to which no suspect was ever identified. In the 1960s, it was home of Gerald Gault, who was the subject of the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in re Gault, that stated juveniles have the same rights as adults when arrested to be notified of the charges against them, the rights to attorneys, for family members to be notified of their arrests and to confront their accusers and to not be punished harsher than adults who are convicted of the same crime, especially if an adult's penalty for the crime would be less than a juvenile convict's.

Geography
Pinto Creek Bridge on US 60
The "Most Beautiful Bridge" plaque.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,795 square miles (12,420 km2), of which 4,758 square miles (12,320 km2) is land and 38 square miles (98 km2) (0.8%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18902,021—
19004,973146.1%
191016,348228.7%
192025,67857.1%
193031,01620.8%
194023,867−23.0%
195024,1581.2%
196025,7456.6%
197029,25513.6%
198037,08026.7%
199040,2168.5%
200051,33527.6%
201053,5974.4%
2019 (est.)54,018[9]0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2018[1]

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 51,335 people, 20,140 households, and 14,098 families living in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km2). There were 28,189 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.82% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 12.92% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.59% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. 16.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 9.84% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 6.29% speak Western Apache.[15]

There were 20,140 households, out of which 26.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 22.30% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,917, and the median income for a family was $36,593. Males had a median income of $31,579 versus $22,315 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,315. About 12.60% of families and 17.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 53,597 people, 22,000 households, and 14,294 families living in the county.[16] The population density was 11.3 inhabitants per square mile (4.4/km2). There were 32,698 housing units at an average density of 6.9 per square mile (2.7/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 76.8% white, 14.8% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 5.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 17.9% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 17.4% were German, 13.3% were English, 11.4% were Irish, and 3.4% were American.[18]

Of the 22,000 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.0% were non-families, and 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 47.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $37,580 and the median income for a family was $46,292. Males had a median income of $41,698 versus $30,023 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,600. About 11.6% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Politics

Historically, Gila County was a Democratic-leaning county in largely-Republican Arizona – for instance it voted for Adlai Stevenson II in 1952, Hubert Humphrey in 1968 and (very narrowly in a three-way contest) for John W. Davis in 1924. In much of the “dealignment” period from 1960 to 1980, when Arizona was the only state never carried by a Democrat, Gila was the second most-Democratic county in Arizona behind massively unionized Greenlee. Only during very large Presidential landslides was Gila County carried by Republicans before 2000: indeed, apart from Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon in 1972 no Republican before 2000 ever carried the county by more than seven percentage points.

Since 2000, however, like Greenlee County, Gila County has trended heavily towards the Republican Party, and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 performance was the worst ever by a Democratic presidential nominee. Moreover, Barack Obama did worse here in 2008 than John Kerry did in 2004, one of a few non-Ozark or non-Appalachian counties where this occurred (possibly due to Arizona Senator John McCain's presence on the ballot).

Presidential elections results
Gila County vote
by party in presidential elections[20][21]
Year Republican Democratic Others
2020 66.3% 18,377 32.2% 8,943 1.5% 415
2016 63.0% 14,182 31.1% 7,003 5.9% 1,330
2012 62.3% 13,455 35.6% 7,697 2.1% 443
2008 62.9% 14,095 35.2% 7,884 2.0% 438
2004 59.1% 12,343 39.8% 8,314 1.1% 220
2000 51.6% 9,158 43.4% 7,700 5.0% 878
1996 36.8% 6,407 49.3% 8,577 13.9% 2,427
1992 31.3% 5,781 41.0% 7,571 27.7% 5,126
1988 51.4% 7,861 46.7% 7,147 1.9% 291
1984 56.0% 8,543 42.7% 6,509 1.3% 197
1980 55.3% 7,405 37.8% 5,068 6.9% 926
1976 42.9% 5,136 53.8% 6,440 3.2% 386
1972 54.7% 5,673 41.4% 4,295 3.9% 404
1968 37.2% 3,610 49.8% 4,831 13.0% 1,265
1964 35.2% 3,713 64.7% 6,821 0.0% 3
1960 42.0% 3,806 57.9% 5,251 0.1% 8
1956 51.3% 4,234 48.7% 4,026
1952 43.3% 3,770 56.7% 4,928
1948 32.1% 2,329 65.8% 4,780 2.2% 156
1944 31.8% 2,260 67.8% 4,818 0.4% 29
1940 31.2% 2,624 68.4% 5,752 0.4% 31
1936 23.2% 1,526 74.0% 4,859 2.8% 183
1932 27.8% 1,865 68.8% 4,625 3.4% 228
1928 50.6% 3,436 49.2% 3,341 0.2% 13
1924 34.6% 2,193 34.9% 2,218 30.5% 1,937
1920 53.4% 3,311 46.6% 2,894
1916 26.1% 1,495 64.3% 3,686 9.6% 552
1912 10.3% 210 38.1% 779 51.6% 1,056[lower-alpha 1]

Transportation

Major highways

Airports

The following public-use airports are located in the county:

Communities
Map of the incorporated and major unincorporated areas in Gila County. Also shown are borders for Indian reservations in the county.

City

Towns

Ghost towns

Census-designated places

Other communities

Indian communities

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Gila County.[22][23]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Payson 15,301 Town
2 † Globe 7,532 City 1875 (founded)
3 San Carlos 4,038 CDP
4 Central Heights-Midland City 2,534 CDP
5 Star Valley 2,310 Town 2005
6 Pine 1,963 CDP
7 Miami 1,837 Town
8 Claypool 1,538 CDP
9 Tonto Basin 1,424 CDP
10 Peridot 1,350 CDP
11 Canyon Day 1,209 CDP
12 Six Shooter Canyon 1,019 CDP
13 Strawberry 961 CDP
14 Wheatfields 785 CDP
15 Mesa del Caballo 765 CDP
16 Icehouse Canyon 677 CDP
17 Young 666 CDP
18 Hayden (partially in Pinal County) 662 Town
19 Gisela 570 CDP
20 Round Valley 487 CDP
21 Pinal 439 CDP
22 Winkelman (partially in Pinal County) 353 Town
23 Cedar Creek 318 CDP
24 Tonto Village 256 CDP
25 Dripping Springs 235 CDP
t-26 Beaver Valley 231 CDP
t-26 Top-of-the-World 231 CDP
27 East Globe 226 CDP
28 Oxbow Estates 217 CDP
29 Deer Creek 216 CDP
30 East Verde Estates 170 CDP
31 Christopher Creek 156 CDP
32 Whispering Pines 148 CDP
33 Carrizo 127 CDP
34 Copper Hill 108 CDP
35 Freedom Acres 84 CDP
36 Rye 77 CDP
37 Jakes Corner 76 CDP
38 Cutter 74 CDP
39 Washington Park 70 CDP
40 Geronimo Estates 60 CDP
41 Rock House 50 CDP
42 Hunter Creek 48 CDP
43 Kohls Ranch 46 CDP
44 Flowing Springs 42 CDP
45 Mead Ranch 38 CDP
46 El Capitan 37 CDP
47 Roosevelt 28 CDP
48 Haigler Creek 19 CDP
49 Bear Flat 18 CDP

Notable people

See also

Notes
  1. This comprises 542 votes (26.5%) for Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, 501 votes (25.1%) for Socialist Eugene V. Debs, and 13 votes (0.6%) for Prohibition Party candidate Eugene W. Chafin.

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2013-07-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Gila National Forest (archived)". United States Forest Service. 2003-12-04. Archived from the original on January 11, 2006. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  5. Forrest, Earle R. (1936). Arizona's Dark and Bloody Ground; an authentic account of the sanguinary Pleasant Valley vendetta that swept through Arizona's cattleland in the latter eighteen eighties--the Graham-Tewksbury feud. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Printers, Ltd. pp. 15, 292. OCLC 1825248.
  6. Burnham, Frederick Russell (1926). Scouting on Two Continents. Doubleday, Page & company. pp. 2, Chapters 3 & 4. OCLC 407686.
  7. Lott, Jack (1981). "Chapter 8. The Making of a Hero: Burnham in the Tonto Basin". In Boddington, Craig (ed.). America -- The Men and Their Guns That Made Her Great. Petersen Publishing Co. p. 90. ISBN 0-8227-3022-7.
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. "Language Map Data Center". apps.mla.org.
  16. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  18. "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 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  19. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  21. Scammon, Richard M. (compiler); America at the Polls: A Handbook of Presidential Election Statistics 1920-1964; pp. 42-44 ISBN 0405077114
  22. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  23. Geography, US Census Bureau. "2010 Census Block Maps". www.census.gov. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

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