After European Americans completed theAtlantic & Pacific Railroad in 1883, the region of northernYavapai County began to undergo rapid growth. The people of the northern reaches had tired of the rigors of traveling toPrescott to conduct county business. They believed that they should have their own county jurisdiction, so petitioned in 1887 for secession from Yavapai and creation of a new Frisco County. This did not take place, but Coconino County was formed in 1891 and its seat was designated as Flagstaff.
The highest natural point in the county, as well as the entire state, isHumphreys Peak at 12,637 ft or 3,852 m. The BarringerMeteor Crater is located in Coconino County.
Coconino County, Arizona – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of thecensus of 2010, 134,421 people, 46,711 households, and 29,656 families were living in the county.[13] The population density was 7.2 inhabitants per square mile (2.8 inhabitants/km2). The 63,321 housing units had an average density of 3.4 units per square mile (1.3 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 61.7% White (55.2% non-Hispanic White), 27.3% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 1.2% African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.5% of the population.[13] The largest ancestry groups were:[15]
Of the 46,711 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.5% were not families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.69, and the average family size was 3.26. The median age was 31.0 years.[13]
The median income for a household in the county was $49,510 and for a family was $58,841. Males had a median income of $42,331 versus $31,869 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,632. About 11.6% of families and 18.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.[16]
As of thecensus of 2000, 116,320 people, 40,448 households, and 26,938 families were living in the county. Thepopulation density was 6 people per square mile (2.3 people/km2). The 53,443 housing units averaged 3 units per square mile (1.2 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 63.1% White, 28.5% Native American, 1.0% African American, 0.8% Asian, 4.2% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. About 10.9% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. Around 18.6% reported speakingNavajo at home, while 6.6% spokeSpanish.[17]
Of the 40,448 households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were not families. About 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80, and the average family size was 3.36.
In the county, the age distribution was 28.7% under 18, 14.4% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,256, and for a family was $45,873. Males had a median income of $32,226 versus $25,055 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,139. About 13.1% of families and 18.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Coconino County has trended towards the Democratic Party in modern times after being a Republican stronghold between the 1950s and 1980s. It was won by every Republican presidential nominee between 1952 and 1988; however, no Republican sinceGeorge H. W. Bush in 1988 has managed to come within 6% of reclaiming the county. It is the only county from any state west of the Mississippi River – apart fromBlack BeltMadison Parish, which is directly adjacent to that river – that voted forBarry Goldwater in 1964 but has since voted for the Democratic nominee in the eight most recent presidential elections.The Flagstaff area is a Democratic stronghold, along with all the Indian Reservations (though some of these saw Republican trends in 2024), and the city of Sedona also leans Democratic. The Havasupai Reservation is the most Democratic area in the county, having voted close to 90% Democratic in the 2024 election. The cities of Williams and Page and surrounding areas, on the other hand, trend Republican.[20]
United States presidential election results for Coconino County, Arizona[21][22]
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is a public airport located four miles (6.4 km) south of the central business district of Flagstaff, it is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by two commercial airlines.
According to Coconino County's parcel viewer, some reservation areas are in the "Unorganized School District #00".[30] According to Arizona law, an unorganized school district is one that does not have a high school.[31] The2010 U.S. census school district map for Coconino County shows areas in the Havasupai and Hualapai reservations as being in "School District Not Defined".[32] Areas not in school districts are under the jurisdiction of the respective County Superintendent of Schools.[33]
