Cochise County, Arizona

Cochise County (/koʊˈtʃiːs/ koh-CHEESS) is a county in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Arizona. It is named after Cochise, a Chiricahua Apache who was a key war leader during the Apache Wars.

Cochise County
County
The art deco county courthouse in Bisbee
The art deco county courthouse in Bisbee
Flag of Cochise County
Flag
Official seal of Cochise County
Seal
Map of Arizona highlighting Cochise County
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
Map of the United States highlighting Arizona
Arizona's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°52′N 109°45′W
Country United States
State Arizona
FoundedFebruary 1, 1881
Named forCochise
SeatBisbee
Largest citySierra Vista
Area
 • Total6,219 sq mi (16,110 km2)
 • Land6,166 sq mi (15,970 km2)
 • Water53 sq mi (140 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total125,447
 • Estimate 
(2021)
126,050 Increase
 • Density20/sq mi (7.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional districts6th, 7th
Websitewww.cochise.az.gov

The population was 125,447 at the 2020 census.[1] The county seat is Bisbee and the most populous city is Sierra Vista.[2]

Cochise County includes the Sierra Vista-Douglas, Arizona Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county borders southwestern New Mexico and the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora.

History
Main article: Cochise County in the Old West

In 1528, Spanish explorers Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Estevanico, and Fray Marcos de Niza[3] survived a shipwreck off the Texas coast. Captured by Native Americans, they spent eight years finding their way back to Mexico City, via the San Pedro Valley. Their journals, maps, and stories led to the Cibola, seven cities of gold myth. The Expedition of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1539 using it as his route north through what they called the Guachuca Mountains of Pima[4] (Tohono O'odham) lands and later part of the mission routes north, but was actually occupied by the Sobaipuri descendants of the Hohokam. They found a large Pueblo (described as a small city) between present-day Benson and Whetstone, and several smaller satellite villages and smaller pueblos including ones on Fort Huachuca, Huachuca City and North Eastern Fry. About 1657 Father Kino visited the Sobaipuris[5] just before the Apache forced most from the valley, as they were struggling to survive due to increasing Chiricahua Apache attacks as they moved into the area of Texas Canyon of the Dragoon Mountains. In 1775, Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate[6] was founded on the west bank of the San Pedro River to protect the natives as well as the Spanish settlers who supplied the mission stations. The presidio was chronically short on provisions due to raids, however, and lacked personnel to adequately patrol the eastern route due to wars with France and England, so the main route north shifted west to the Santa Cruz valley, farther from the range of the Chiricahua Apache who almost exclusively controlled the area by 1821.[5][7]

Cochise County in 1881

Cochise County was created on February 1, 1881, out of the eastern portion of Pima County.[8] It took its name from the Chiricahua Apache war chief Cochise.[9][10] The county seat was Tombstone until 1929 when it moved to Bisbee. Notable men who once held the position of County Sheriff were Johnny Behan, who served as the first sheriff of the new county, and who was one of the main characters during the events leading to and following the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Later, in 1886, Texas John Slaughter became sheriff. Lawman Jeff Milton and lawman/outlaw Burt Alvord both served as deputies under Slaughter.

A syndicated television series which aired from 1956 to 1958, The Sheriff of Cochise starring John Bromfield, was filmed on location in Cochise County. The Jimmy Stewart movie Broken Arrow and subsequent television show of the same name starring John Lupton, which also aired from 1956 to 1958, were set in Cochise County but filmed at other locations.

J.A. Jance's Joanna Brady mystery series takes place in Cochise County, where Brady is sheriff.

Beginning in the late 1950s, the small community of Miracle Valley was the site of a series of bible colleges and similar religious organizations, founded by television evangelist A. A. Allen. In 1982, Miracle Valley and neighboring Palominas were the site of a series of escalating conflicts between a newly arrived black religious community and the county sheriff and deputies that culminated in the Miracle Valley shootout.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,219 square miles (16,110 km2), of which 6,166 square miles (15,970 km2) is land and 53 square miles (140 km2) (0.9%) is water.[11] Cochise County is close to the size of the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined.

Adjacent counties and municipios

Protected areas
The Big Room in Kartchner Caverns
Fort Bowie site near Apache Pass.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18906,938—
19009,25133.3%
191034,591273.9%
192046,46534.3%
193040,998−11.8%
194034,627−15.5%
195031,488−9.1%
196055,03974.8%
197061,91012.5%
198085,68638.4%
199097,62413.9%
2000117,75520.6%
2010131,34611.5%
2020125,447−4.5%
2021 (est.)126,050[12]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 117,755 people, 43,893 households, and 30,768 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7.3 people/km2). There were 51,126 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.7% White, 4.5% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 12.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. 30.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.4% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 1.3% speak German.[17]

The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee

There were 43,893 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,105, and the median income for a family was $38,005. Males had a median income of $30,533 versus $22,252 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,988. About 13.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, the largest denominational group was the Catholics (with 25,837 adherents) and Evangelical Protestants (with 12,548 adherents).[18] The largest religious bodies were The Catholic Church (with 25,837 members) and The Southern Baptist Convention (with 5,999 members).[18]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 131,346 people, 50,865 households, and 33,653 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 21.3 inhabitants per square mile (8.2 inhabitants/km2). There were 59,041 housing units at an average density of 9.6 units per square mile (3.7 units/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 78.5% white, 4.2% black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 1.2% American Indian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 9.9% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 32.4% of the population.[19] The largest ancestry groups were:[21]

  • 28.3% Mexican
  • 16.2% German
  • 11.6% Irish
  • 9.8% English
  • 4.5% American
  • 3.7% Italian
  • 2.6% French
  • 2.1% Scottish
  • 2.0% Dutch
  • 1.9% Scotch-Irish
  • 1.9% Polish
  • 1.5% Norwegian
  • 1.1% Puerto Rican
  • 1.1% Swedish

Of the 50,865 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.7 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,876 and the median income for a family was $53,077. Males had a median income of $42,164 versus $31,019 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,010. About 11.8% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Politics

Cochise County leans strongly towards the Republican Party in presidential elections.[23][24] Although Bill Clinton carried the county narrowly in 1992, it has supported the Republican nominee by large margins in every other election since 1968, except for 1996 and 1976 when Clinton and Jimmy Carter each lost only narrowly. Although the county includes the relatively liberal town of Bisbee, as well as the city of Douglas which has a large Latino population, this is outweighed by the heavily Republican tilt of the more populous Sierra Vista, which is adjacent to Fort Huachuca and thus has a heavy military presence.

United States presidential election results for Cochise County, Arizona[25][26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 35,557 58.61% 23,732 39.12% 1,376 2.27%
2016 28,092 56.17% 17,450 34.89% 4,473 8.94%
2012 29,497 59.95% 18,546 37.69% 1,158 2.35%
2008 29,026 59.14% 18,943 38.60% 1,112 2.27%
2004 26,556 59.55% 17,514 39.27% 525 1.18%
2000 18,180 54.69% 13,360 40.19% 1,701 5.12%
1996 14,365 45.00% 13,782 43.17% 3,776 11.83%
1992 12,202 36.81% 12,701 38.31% 8,247 24.88%
1988 15,815 56.38% 11,812 42.11% 423 1.51%
1984 16,405 62.25% 9,671 36.70% 279 1.06%
1980 13,351 59.48% 7,028 31.31% 2,066 9.20%
1976 9,921 49.90% 9,281 46.68% 681 3.43%
1972 11,706 63.97% 6,023 32.91% 570 3.11%
1968 7,619 45.59% 6,597 39.48% 2,495 14.93%
1964 7,644 45.78% 9,045 54.17% 8 0.05%
1960 7,572 50.46% 7,419 49.44% 16 0.11%
1956 6,893 56.36% 5,328 43.57% 9 0.07%
1952 6,495 53.52% 5,640 46.48% 0 0.00%
1948 3,854 37.16% 6,198 59.77% 318 3.07%
1944 3,371 32.67% 6,935 67.21% 13 0.13%
1940 3,170 26.53% 8,748 73.21% 32 0.27%
1936 2,092 19.93% 8,130 77.44% 277 2.64%
1932 2,838 25.30% 7,798 69.53% 580 5.17%
1928 5,776 57.28% 4,262 42.27% 45 0.45%
1924 3,712 38.27% 3,496 36.04% 2,491 25.68%
1920 5,341 54.66% 4,430 45.34% 0 0.00%
1916 3,203 31.61% 6,115 60.35% 814 8.03%
1912 403 8.72% 1,973 42.71% 2,243 48.56%

In the United States House of Representatives, the county is mostly part of Arizona's 6th congressional district, which is represented by Republican Juan Ciscomani. In the Arizona Legislature, the county is part of the 19th district and is represented by Republican David Gowan in the State Senate and Republicans Gail Griffin and Lupe Diaz in the State House of Representatives. This district also includes the entirety of Greenlee County, as well as portions of Pima County, Graham County, and Santa Cruz County.

Transportation

Major highways
State Route 80 seen towards north in Tombstone

Airports

Bisbee Municipal Airport is owned by the City of Bisbee and located five nautical miles (9 km) southeast of its central business district[27]

Sierra Vista Municipal Airport (IATA: FHU, ICAO: KFHU, FAA LID: FHU), a joint-use civil-military airport which shares facilities with Libby Army Airfield, is located on the U.S. Army installation Fort Huachuca in the city of Sierra Vista. The airport has three runways and one helipad. It is mostly used for military aviation for the surrounding military base.

There are no commercial flights out of Cochise County; the nearest commercial airport is at Tucson, approximately 70 miles from Sierra Vista.

Communities
Map of incorporated areas and unincorporated areas in Cochise County with the largest city, Sierra Vista highlighted

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other places

Military sites

Ghost towns

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Cochise County.[28][29]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Sierra Vista 43,888 City 1956
2 Douglas 17,378 City 1905
3 Sierra Vista Southeast 14,797 CDP
4 † Bisbee 5,575 City 1902
5 Benson 5,105 City 1880 (founded)
6 Willcox 3,757 City 1915
7 Whetstone 2,617 CDP
8 Huachuca City 1,853 Town 1958
9 Mescal 1,812 CDP
10 Pirtleville 1,744 CDP
11 St. David 1,699 CDP
12 Tombstone 1,380 City 1881
13 Naco 1,046 CDP
14 Miracle Valley 644 CDP
15 Elfrida 459 CDP
16 Bowie 449 CDP
17 Sunizona 281 CDP
18 McNeal 238 CDP
19 Palominas 212 CDP
20 Dragoon 209 CDP
21 San Simon 165 CDP
22 Sunsites 40 CDP

Education

School districts include:[30]

Unified:

Secondary:

Elementary:

The Rucker Elementary School district, in 2002, operated no schools and sent its elementary students to the Elfrida district. The Rucker district had a bus driver and an administrator as employees. The residents liked the arrangement as they could pay less tax.[31]

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. A pictorial history of Sierra Vista, Arizona : more than a city, a way of life. Tritz, Judith. [Place of publication not identified]: Pediment Pub. 2006. ISBN 1597250589. OCLC 74175599.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Smith, Cornelius C (1981). FORT HUACHUCA: The story of a frontier post. U.S. Government Printing Office: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
  5. Jackson., Price, Ethel (2003). Sierra Vista : young city with a past. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. ISBN 0738524344. OCLC 53882709.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Fr. Kino's Visits to the San Pedro". www.saguaro-juniper.com. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  7. "Journey to Cochise County: Explore the lives and Stories of those who have make Cochise County their home". The Cochise County Historical Journal. Cochise County Historical Society along with the Smithsonian Museum to accompany the Main Street traveling exhibit "Journey Stories" February 22-April 5, 2014. 45 (1). Spring–Summer 2015.
  8. "Arizona Cultural Inventory Project". Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  9. "Cochise County Arizona". County Website. Cochise County. 2009. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  10. "Reminiscence of Early Days" (jpg). Tombstone (AZ) Weekly Epitaph. October 27, 1912. p. 4. Retrieved July 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. I feel a paternal pride in Cochise county, for one Sunday 31 years ago, in the little law office of Will Hunsaker and myself in Tombstone, the committee selected the name, and I was one of the godfathers at the christening. Harry Wood, editor of the Tombstone Nugget, suggested the name in honor of the territorial Apache chief as a fitting companion to the dismal name of its county seat. open access
  11. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  17. "Modern Language Association". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2007.
  18. "County Membership Reports". thearda.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  19. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  20. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  21. "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 February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  22. "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  23. Parker, Ned; So, Linda (November 28, 2022). "Republicans in one Arizona county refuse to certify election results". Reuters. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  24. Wang, Hansi Lo (November 28, 2022). "Counties in Arizona, Pennsylvania fail to certify election results by legal deadlines". NPR News. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  25. "Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  26. Scammon, Richard M. (compiler); America at the Polls: A Handbook of Presidential Election Statistics 1920–1964; pp. 42–44 ISBN 0405077114
  27. FAA Airport Form 5010 for P04 PDF
  28. Center for New Media and Promotions(C2PO). "2010 Census". Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  29. Geographic Products Branch. "2010 Census Block Maps – Geography – U.S. Census Bureau". Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  30. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cochise County, AZ" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. - Text list
  31. Kossan, Pat (December 29, 2002). "Consolidation is a fighting word in Cochise County". The Arizona Republic. p. B2. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
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