Gila County, Arizona

Gila County (/ˈhiːlə/ HEE-lə) is in the central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census, the population was 53,272.[1] The county seat is Globe.[2]

Gila County
County
Gila County Courthouse in Globe
Gila County Courthouse in Globe
Flag of Gila County
Flag
Official seal of Gila County
Seal
Map of Arizona highlighting Gila County
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
Map of the United States highlighting 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
Named forGila River
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
 (2020)
 • Total53,272
 • Estimate 
(2021)
53,589 Increase
 • Density11/sq mi (4.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional district2nd
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 and Pinal counties 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.

Popular theory holds 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, an infamous assassin, was known to have taken part as a killer for hire, but it is unknown which side employed him. Both sides suffered fatalities. No one was ever charged or prosecuted.

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 more harshly than adults who are convicted of the same crime, especially if an adult's penalty for the crime would be less than that accorded a juvenile convict.

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

According to the United States 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.Note%±
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%
202053,272−0.6%
2021 (est.)53,589[9]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census 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 (4.2 people/km2). There were 28,189 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 12.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 6.6% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 16.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 9.8% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 6.3% speak Western Apache.[14]

There were 20,140 households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% 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 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 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 12.6% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 53,597 people, 22,000 households, and 14,294 families living in the county.[15] The population density was 11.3 inhabitants per square mile (4.4 inhabitants/km2). There were 32,698 housing units at an average density of 6.9 units per square mile (2.7 units/km2).[16] 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.[15] In terms of ancestry, 17.4% were German, 13.3% were English, 11.4% were Irish, and 3.4% were American.[17]

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.[15]

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.[18]

Politics

Historically, Gila County was a Democratic-leaning county in largely-Republican Arizona – for example, 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 in 1980 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).

Gila County was covered in the papers[19] as the site of a confluence between politics and public health as the conservatism of the county (with Democrat Joe Biden losing by 34 points in the 2020 presidential election[20]) was considered one reason for vaccine skepticism, allowing the county to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to all adults well before other areas in the US.

United States presidential election results for Gila County, Arizona[21][22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 18,377 66.26% 8,943 32.24% 415 1.50%
2016 14,182 62.99% 7,003 31.10% 1,330 5.91%
2012 13,455 62.31% 7,697 35.64% 443 2.05%
2008 14,095 62.88% 7,884 35.17% 438 1.95%
2004 12,343 59.12% 8,314 39.82% 220 1.05%
2000 9,158 51.64% 7,700 43.41% 878 4.95%
1996 6,407 36.80% 8,577 49.26% 2,427 13.94%
1992 5,781 31.29% 7,571 40.97% 5,126 27.74%
1988 7,861 51.38% 7,147 46.72% 291 1.90%
1984 8,543 56.02% 6,509 42.68% 197 1.29%
1980 7,405 55.27% 5,068 37.82% 926 6.91%
1976 5,136 42.94% 6,440 53.84% 386 3.23%
1972 5,673 54.70% 4,295 41.41% 404 3.90%
1968 3,610 37.19% 4,831 49.77% 1,265 13.03%
1964 3,713 35.24% 6,821 64.73% 3 0.03%
1960 3,806 41.99% 5,251 57.93% 8 0.09%
1956 4,234 51.26% 4,026 48.74% 0 0.00%
1952 3,770 43.34% 4,928 56.66% 0 0.00%
1948 2,329 32.06% 4,780 65.79% 156 2.15%
1944 2,260 31.80% 4,818 67.79% 29 0.41%
1940 2,624 31.21% 5,752 68.42% 31 0.37%
1936 1,526 23.23% 4,859 73.98% 183 2.79%
1932 1,865 27.76% 4,625 68.84% 228 3.39%
1928 3,436 50.60% 3,341 49.20% 13 0.19%
1924 2,193 34.55% 2,218 34.94% 1,937 30.51%
1920 3,311 53.36% 2,894 46.64% 0 0.00%
1916 1,495 26.08% 3,686 64.29% 552 9.63%
1912 210 10.27% 779 38.09% 1,056 51.64%

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

Census-designated places

Other communities

Ghost towns

Indian communities

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Gila County.[23][24]

† 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

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. "Arizona Cultural Inventory Project". Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  4. "Gila National Forest (archived)". United States Forest Service. December 4, 2003. Archived from the original on January 11, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  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. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  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. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  14. "Language Map Data Center". apps.mla.org.
  15. "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.
  16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  17. "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.
  18. "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.
  19. Romero, Simon (March 2021). "Can't Get a Covid Vaccine? In This County, Everybody is Eligible". New York Times. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021.
  20. (PDF) https://web.archive.org/web/20210301135035/https://www.gilacountyaz.gov/Results.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 1, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  22. Scammon, Richard M. (compiler); America at the Polls: A Handbook of Presidential Election Statistics 1920–1964; pp. 42–44 ISBN 0405077114
  23. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  24. Geography, US Census Bureau. "2010 Census Block Maps". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2018.

33°47′28″N 110°50′11″W

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