La Paz County, Arizona

33°50′25″N 113°56′34″W

La Paz County
County
Trigo Mountains
Trigo Mountains
Official seal of La Paz County
Seal
Map of Arizona highlighting La Paz 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°50′25″N 113°56′34″W
Country United States
State Arizona
FoundedJanuary 1, 1983
Named forLa Paz, Arizona
SeatParker
Largest townParker
Area
 • Total4,514 sq mi (11,690 km2)
 • Land4,500 sq mi (12,000 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,557
 • Estimate 
(2021)
16,408 Decrease
 • Density3.7/sq mi (1.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.co.la-paz.az.us
Courthouse Rock in the Eagletail Mountains, northeastern La Paz County
Classic wulfenite specimen from the old Red Cloud Mine, western La Paz County
This article is about the county in Arizona. For the city in Bolivia, see La Paz. For other uses, see La Paz (disambiguation).

La Paz County (Spanish: Condado de La Paz) is the 15th county in the U.S. state of Arizona, located in the western part of the state. As of the 2020 census, its population was 16,557,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Arizona. The county seat is Parker.[2] The name of the county is the Spanish word for "the peace", and is taken from the early settlement (now ghost town) of La Paz along the Colorado River.

History
See also: Yuma County, Arizona

La Paz County was established in 1983 after voters approved separating the northern portion of Yuma County, making it the only county to be established after Arizona became a state in 1912, and currently the second youngest county in the United States (behind the consolidated city-county of Broomfield, Colorado, which was established in 2001). The county did not have a large enough tax base to begin supporting a separate county government immediately and had to rely on state money at first. As a result, the Arizona State Legislature changed Arizona laws to make splitting other existing counties much more difficult.

Under the revised Arizona laws, a county shall not be formed or divided by county initiative unless each proposed county would have all of the following characteristics: (1) at least three-fourths of one percent of the total state assessed valuation and at least the statewide per capita assessed valuation; (2) a population of at least three-fourths of one percent of the total state population according to the most recent United States decennial census; (3) at least one hundred square miles of privately owned land; (4) common boundaries with either (a) at least three other existing or proposed counties; or (b) at least two other existing or proposed counties and the state boundary.[3] A county formation commission is required to be formed to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed county.[4] A proposal to divide a county must be approved by a majority of the votes cast in each proposed new county.[5]

The Colorado River Indian Reservation is located in the western portion of the county. Part of the reservation extends westward into San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,514 sq mi (11,690 km2), of which 4,500 sq mi (12,000 km2) is land and 14 sq mi (36 km2) (0.3%) is water.[6]

The area that now makes up La Paz County was formerly part of Yuma County.

Flora and fauna
Hi Jolly monument near Quartzsite

La Paz County hosts a variety of flora and fauna.[7] The endangered California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera grows in a few spots in the county.[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
199013,844—
200019,71542.4%
201020,4893.9%
202016,557−19.2%
2021 (est.)16,408[9]−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,715 people, 8,362 households, and 5,619 families living in the county. The population density was 4.4 people per square mile (1.7 people/km2). There were 15,133 housing units at an average density of 3.4 units per square mile (1.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.2% white, 0.8% black or African American, 12.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.4% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 22.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.9% reported speaking Spanish at home.[12]

There were 8,362 households, with 21.2% having children under the age of 18, 54.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.6% of households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.79.

The county population had 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,839, and the median income for a family was $29,141. Males had a median income of $26,642 versus $20,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,916. About 13.6% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 20,489 people, 9,198 households, and 5,584 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 4.5//sq mi (1.8/km2). There were 16,049 housing units at an average density of 3.56 units per square mile (1.37 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 69.8% white, 12.8% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 12.5% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 23.5% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 15.9% were Irish, 15.3% were English, and 2.1% were American.[15]

Of the 9,198 households, 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 53.9 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,147 and the median income for a family was $37,721. Males had a median income of $35,464 versus $27,484 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,165. About 14.3% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Law enforcement
La Paz County Sheriff's Office
Patch of La Paz County Sheriff's Office
Patch of La Paz County Sheriff's Office
AbbreviationLPCSO
Agency overview
Formed1983 (1983)
Jurisdictional structure
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersParker, Arizona
Agency executive
Website
La Paz County Sheriff

The La Paz County Sheriff's Office provides general-service law enforcement to unincorporated areas of La Paz County, serving as the equivalent of the police for unincorporated areas of the county. It also operates the county jail system. The Sheriff's Office is headquartered in Parker.[17]

Past sheriffs are:

  • Rayburn Evans (1983–88)
  • Marvin Hare (1989–2000)
  • Daniel "Hal" Collett (2001–08)
  • Donald Lowery (2009–12)
  • John Drum (2013–16)
  • William Risen (2017-2020)
  • William Ponce (2021–Present)

Government

La Paz County is entirely within Arizona's 9th congressional district, currently represented by Republican Paul Gosar.

United States presidential election results for La Paz County, Arizona[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 5,129 68.64% 2,236 29.93% 107 1.43%
2016 4,003 67.27% 1,575 26.47% 373 6.27%
2012 3,714 64.76% 1,880 32.78% 141 2.46%
2008 3,509 62.92% 1,929 34.59% 139 2.49%
2004 3,158 62.42% 1,849 36.55% 52 1.03%
2000 2,543 56.73% 1,769 39.46% 171 3.81%
1996 1,902 42.33% 1,964 43.71% 627 13.96%
1992 1,599 32.23% 1,808 36.44% 1,554 31.32%
1988 2,562 57.24% 1,746 39.01% 168 3.75%
1984 2,757 63.92% 1,502 34.82% 54 1.25%

Transportation

Major highways

Air

Avi Suquilla Airport (FAA LID: P20) is a public use airport located one nautical mile (1.9 km) east of the central business district of Parker, Arizona. It is owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

Rail

The county is served by the Arizona and California Railroad for freight through Parker, Arizona.

Communities
Map of La Paz County showing Indian reservation, incorporated areas, and unincorporated area

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Indian communities

Colorado River Indian Reservation

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of La Paz County.[19][20]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Quartzsite 3,677 Town 1989
2 † Parker 3,083 Town 1948
3 Cienega Springs 1,798 CDP
4 Salome 1,530 CDP
5 Ehrenburg 1,470 CDP
6 Bouse 996 CDP
7 Wenden 728 CDP
8 Bluewater 725 CDP
9 La Paz Valley 699 CDP
10 Brenda 676 CDP
11 Parker Strip 662 CDP
12 Vicksburg 597 CDP
13 Poston 285 CDP
14 Cibola 250 CDP
15 Utting 126 CDP
16 Alamo Lake 25 CDP
17 Sunwest 15 CDP

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-132(B)
  4. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-136
  5. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-137(H)
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  7. Forrest Shreve and Ira Loren Wiggins. 1964. Vegetation and flora of the Sonoran Desert, pp. 50 et seq., Stanford University Press, 1740 pages ISBN 978-0804701631
  8. C. Michael Hogan. 2009. California Fan Palm: Washingtonia filifera, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg Archived September 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  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. "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.
  12. "Language Map Data Center". apps.mla.org.
  13. "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.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  15. "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.
  16. "DP03 Selected Economics 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.
  17. "Official Website". La Paz County Sheriff's Office. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008.
  18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  19. Bureau, US Census. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". Census.gov.
  20. "2010 Census Maps". Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
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