Kingman was founded in 1882 before statehood, inArizona Territory. Situated in the Hualapai Valley between theCerbat andHualapai mountain ranges, Kingman had its modest beginnings as a simplerailroad siding near Beale Springs. Civil engineer Lewis Kingman supervised the building of the railroad fromWinslow to Beale Springs. This spring had been used by Native Americans living in the area for centuries.
The Mohave County seat was originally located inMohave City from 1864 to 1867. In 1865, the portion of Arizona Territory west of theColorado River was transferred toNevada after Nevada's statehood, and became part ofLincoln County, nowClark County, Nevada. The remaining territory ofPah-Ute County became part of Mohave County. Its seat was moved toHardyville (now withinBullhead City) in 1867. The county seat transferred to the mining town ofCerbat in 1873, then toMineral Park nearChloride. After some time, the county seat and all instruments were permanently moved to Kingman in 1887.
During World War II, Kingman was the site of aU.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) airfield. TheKingman Army Airfield was founded at the beginning of the war as an aerial gunnery training base. It became one of the USAAF's largest, training some 35,000 soldiers and airmen. The airfield and Kingman played a significant role in this important era of America's history.[citation needed] Following the war, the Kingman Airfield was one of the largest reclamation sites for obsolete military aircraft.
Postwar, Kingman experienced growth as several major employers moved into the vicinity. In 1953, Kingman was used to detain those men accused of practicingpolygamy in theShort Creek raid,[6] which was at the time one of the largest arrests in American history.[7] In 1955, Ford Motor Company established aproving ground (now one of theChrysler Proving Grounds) in nearbyYucca at the formerYucca Army Airfield. Several major new neighborhoods in Kingman were developed to house the skilled workers and professionals employed at the proving ground. Likewise, the development of theMineral Park mine near adjacentChloride, and construction of theMohave Generating Station in nearbyLaughlin, Nevada, in 1971 contributed to Kingman's population growth. Also, the location of aGeneral Cable plant at the Kingman Airport Industrial Park provided steady employment.
The Kingman Explosion, also known as the Doxol Disaster or Kingman BLEVE, was a catastrophicboiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) that occurred on July 5, 1973, during apropane transfer from a Doxol railroad car to a storage tank on the Getz rail siding near Andy Devine Avenue/Route 66.
Firefighters Memorial Park in Kingman is dedicated to the 11 firefighters who died in the blaze.
Kingman sits on the eastern edge of theMojave Desert, but it is located in a colddesert climate (KöppenBWk) due to itsplateau location. Kingman's higher elevation and location between theColorado Plateau and theLower Colorado River Valley keeps summer high temperatures away from the extremes (115 °F (46 °C) or more) experienced by Phoenix and the Colorado River Valley. The higher elevation also contributes to winter cold and occasional snowfall. Summer daytime highs reach above 90 °F (32 °C) frequently, but rarely exceed 107 °F (42 °C). Summertime lows usually remain between 60 and 70 °F (16 and 21 °C). Winter highs are generally mild, ranging from around 50 to 60 °F (10 to 16 °C), but winter nighttime lows often fall to freezing, with significantly lower temperatures possible, and occasional snow.
The record low temperature in Kingman was set on January 9, 1937, at 6 °F (−14 °C), and the record high temperature occurred on July 15, 2023, at 114 °F (46 °C).[9] The wettest year was 1919 with 21.22 inches (539 mm) and the driest year was 1947 with 3.58 inches (91 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 9.85 inches (250 mm) in September 1939. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 6.03 inches (153 mm) on November 28, 1919. The snowiest year was 1949 with 18.2 inches (46 cm). The most snowfall in one month was 14.0 inches (36 cm) in December 1932.[10][11] On December 31, 2014, and January 1, 2015, Kingman received 6.5 inches (17 cm) of snow. The storm was so significant that it was a contributing factor in the closure of Interstate 40 at the US 93 Junction for 24 hours.
Climate data for Kingman, Arizona, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present
Kingman city, Arizona – Racial 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 the 2022[update]American Community Survey estimates, there were 33,052 people and 14,029 households.[18][19] Thepopulation density was 880.3 inhabitants per square mile (339.9/km2). There were 14,929 housing units at an average density of 397.6 per square mile (153.5/km2).[20][19][21] The racial makeup of the city was 85.2% White, 2.9% some other race, 2.0% Black or African American, 1.6% Asian, and 1.0% Native American or Alaskan Native, with 7.4% from two or more races.[19]Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 16.6% of the population.[19]
Of the 14,029 households, 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% had seniors 65 years or older living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 7.8% were couples cohabitating, 20.3% had a male householder with no partner present, and 27.9% had a female householder with no partner present.[18] The median household size was 2.25 and the median family size was 2.77.[18]
The age distribution was 21.1% under 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 or older. The median age was 42.1 years.[22] For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males.[19]
The median income for a household was $56,360, with family households having a median income of $63,614 and non-family households $34,468. Theper capita income was $31,806.[23][24] Out of the 31,655 people with a determined poverty status, 13.4% were below thepoverty line. Further, 18.7% of minors and 9.4% of seniors were below the poverty line.[25]
At the2000 census, there were 20,069 people, 7,854 households and 5,427 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 669.7 people per square mile (258.6 people/km2). There were 8,604 housing units at an average density of 287.1 units per square mile (110.8 units/km2). The racial make-up of the city was 88.0%White, <0.1%Black orAfrican American, 1.0%Native American, 0.1%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 3.4% fromother races and 3.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race comprised 12.2% of the population.
There were 7,854 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% weremarried couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% 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 2.94.
25.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64 and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
Themedian household income was $34,086 and the median family income was $41,327. Males had a median income of $32,036 and females $21,134. Theper capita income was $17,181. About 8.2% of families and 11.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
The city operates under the council-manager form of government. The city council, which is the policymaking and legitimate authority, consists of amayor,vice-mayor, a five-member council and the city manager. The mayor is Ken Watkins and the vice-mayor seat is vacant. The city council consists of five elected officials – councilmembers SueAnn Mello, Jamie Scott Stehly, Deana Nelson, Cherish Sammeli and Keith Walker. The city manager is Ron Foggin. The city attorney is Carl Cooper.
TheKingman Airport is located 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Kingman onArizona State Route 66. The airport was originally built as Kingman Army Air Field during World War II and was the location of the Kingman Aerial Gunnery School. The airport was turned over to Mohave County for civilian use in 1949. There areair ambulance andair charter services, but no commercial flights. The closest commercial airport isHarry Reid International Airport inParadise, Nevada, approximately 104 miles (167 km) northwest of Kingman. The Kingman airport now primarily exists as a location for long-term aircraft storage due to its suitable large ramp space and a long, decommissioned runway. Kingman is anon-towered airport.
Located downtown, theKingman station has daily services onAmtrak'sAmtrakSouthwest Chief betweenLos Angeles andChicago. The historically significant station is constructed inMission Revival style. Prior to the establishment of Amtrak in 1971, the building had fallen into disrepair. A total renovation was completed in 2010. The station houses a model railroad museum.Amtrak Thruway offers connecting service to Las Vegas.
Kingman is located on theSouthern Transcon route of theBNSF Railway which is the main transcontinental route between Los Angeles and Chicago, which carries approximately 100 to 150 freight trains per day.
In August 2012, theKingman Terminal Railroad (KGTR) opened at the Kingman Airport Authority and Industrial Park. The KGTR is a short line railroad owned byPatriot Rail. Patriot Rail owns and operates 13 railroads in 13 states across the U.S. The KGTR interchanges with BNSF and delivers to businesses at the industrial park.
The City of Kingman operates Kingman Area Regional Transit.[29] Kingman is served by the intercity bus companiesGreyhound andTUFESA.FlixBus boards from a stop at 915 W Beale St. Tri-State Shuttle connects Kingman with Harry Reid International Airport in Paradise.[30]
Amtrak Thruway is Kingman station bus service that travels toLas Vegas's stations at South Strip Transit Terminal, Airport Terminal One andLas Vegas downtown, called the Amtrak Kingman-Las Vegas Thruway Motorcoach, a 107-mile (172 km) trip. There is also a Laughlin to Kingman Amtrak Station at theTropicana Laughlin inLaughlin, Nevada, a 34-mile (55 km) trip.[31][32]
The Kingman Academy of Learning, a charter school, is split into four schools: a primary (pre-school – 2nd grade), intermediate (3–5), middle (6–8), and high school (9–12).
The Emmanuel Christian Academy teaches students from kindergarten to 8th grade.[36]
Arizona Virtual Academy is a (K–12) Blended learning center.
In "Otis", an episode from the television seriesPrison Break, LJ Burrows is sent to an adult facility in Kingman, Arizona. In a subsequent episode, "Buried", LJ is released from the aforementioned facility.
In "Native Tongue", an episode from the television seriesMedium (NBC: 2005–2009; CBS: 2009–2011), Alison has a dream about a man being threatened to be burned alive unless he revels the whereabouts of something the killer wants. The man tells the killer that 'it' is near Kingman, where his partner lives. As the story progresses, it is discovered that the man is associated with theNavajo Reservation located 20 E of Kingman.
In theHBO seriesThe Sopranos, whenTony Soprano was shot at the beginning of season 6, he fell into a coma and believed he was involved in a case of mistaken identity with Kevin Finnerty who lived in Kingman (see "Join the Club").
In "The Locomotion Interruption," the season 8 premiere ofThe Big Bang Theory,Sheldon Cooper finds his belongings stolen at Kingman train station.[42]
In episode 2 of theShowtime political satire documentaryWho Is America?, residents of the town are shown making anti-Muslim and anti-black statements when told by a disguisedSacha Baron Cohen that a super mosque would be built in Kingman.[43]
In the post-apocalyptic novelWarday, Kingman is the "point of entry" to California; the Golden State, spared from the nuclear attacks that hit much of the rest of the country, is strictly guarded by troops, and "illegals" are jailed.
Hualapai Mountain Recreation Area offering hiking, camping and day use, 12 miles (19 km) to the southeast of downtown.
TheMohave Museum of History and Arts in Kingman, Arizona is a private, not-for-profit organization, which was founded in 1961. It focuses on the preservation of the heritage of Northwestern Arizona and of the presentation of history and arts to the public. Located at 400 W. Beale St. In downtown Kingman.
Santa Fe 3759 Historic locomotive on display located in historic downtown Kingman between First, and Beale St. at Locomotive Park.
White Cliffs Trail System. The White Cliffs Trail System (WCTS) contains 9.7 miles of hand constructed trails, providing hikers and bikers access to trails of varying difficulties. The trail system not only allows hikers and bikers a thrilling and scenic venture into the desert valleys, hillsides, and tops of mesas, but provides a link from Downtown to Uptown Kingman. The system also features historic significance to the area and western culture.
Historic Downtown Kingman. Featuring restaurants, bars, shops, and parks.
Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course, situated in a convenient location in the middle of town, off of I-40 at Stockton Hill Rd.
Oatman, a "ghost town" tourist attraction 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Kingman
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, A lake offering recreational water activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming. 36 miles (58 km) West of Kingman
