Mohave County, Arizona facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Mohave County, Arizona
Seal of Mohave County, Arizona
Map
Map of Arizona highlighting Mohave County
Location in the state of Arizona
Map of the USA highlighting Arizona
Arizona's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded November 9, 1864
Seat Kingman
Largest City Lake Havasu City
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
13,461 sq mi (34,864 km²)
13,311 sq mi (34,475 km²)
150 sq mi (388 km²), 1.1%
PopulationEst.
 - (2015)
 - Density
204,737
15/sq mi (6/km²)
Time zone Mountain: UTC-7
Website: www.mohavecounty.us

Mohave County is in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2010 census, its population was 200,186. The county seat is Kingman, and the largest city is Lake Havasu City.

Mohave County comprises the Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Las Vegas-Henderson, NV-AZ Combined Statistical Area.

Mohave County contains parts of Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area and all of the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. The Kaibab, Fort Mojave and Hualapai Indian Reservations also lie within the county.

History

Mohave County was the one of four original Arizona Counties created by the 1st Arizona Territorial Legislature. The county territory was originally defined as being west of longitude 113° 20' and north of the Bill Williams River. Pah-Ute County was created from it in 1865 and was merged back into Mohave County in 1871 when much of its territory was ceded to Nevada in 1866. The county's present boundaries were established in 1881. Mohave County has had five county seats: Mohave City (1864-1867), Hardyville (1867-1873), Cerbat (1873-1877), Mineral Park (1877-1887), and Kingman (1887–Present).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 13,461 square miles (34,860 km2), of which 13,311 square miles (34,480 km2) is land and 150 square miles (390 km2) (1.1%) is water. It is the second-largest county by area in Arizona and the fifth-largest in the contiguous United States.

The county consists of two sections divided by the Grand Canyon, with no direct land communication between them. The northern section, smaller and less populated, forms the western part of the Arizona Strip, bordering Utah and Nevada. The larger southern section, borders Nevada and California across the Colorado River, which forms most of the county's western boundary. The southern section includes Kingman, the county seat, and other cities, as well as part of the Mojave Desert.

Adjacent counties

Mohave County and its adjacent counties form the largest such block of counties outside of Alaska. Their combined land area is 89,567.34 square miles (231,978.3 km2), or larger than that of the state of Idaho. They include the #1 (San Bernardino), #2 (Coconino), #5 (Mohave), and #7 (Lincoln) largest counties outside of Alaska.

National protected areas

There are 18 official wilderness areas in Mohave County that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Most of these are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, but some are integral parts of the preceding protected areas, or have shared jurisdiction with the BLM. Some extend into neighboring counties (as indicated below) All wilderness areas within Grand Canyon-Parashant NM are managed by BLM, although the National Monument shares management with the National Park Service:

  • Arrastra Mountain Wilderness (BLM) partly in Yavapai County, AZ and La Paz County, AZ
  • Aubrey Peak Wilderness (BLM)
  • Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness (BLM) partly in Washington County, UT
  • Cottonwood Point Wilderness (BLM)
  • Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness (Grand Canyon-Parashant NM) managed by BLM
  • Havasu Wilderness (Havasu NWR) partly in San Bernardino County, CA
  • Kanab Creek Wilderness (Kaibab NF / BLM) mostly in Coconino County, AZ
  • Mount Logan Wilderness (Grand Canyon-Parashant NM) managed by BLM
  • Mount Nutt Wilderness (BLM)
  • Mount Tipton Wilderness (BLM)
  • Mount Trumbull Wilderness (Grand Canyon-Parashant NM) managed by BLM
  • Mount Wilson Wilderness (BLM)
  • Paiute Wilderness (partly in Grand Canyon-Parashant NM) managed by BLM
  • Rawhide Mountains Wilderness (BLM) mostly in La Paz County, AZ
  • Swansea Wilderness (BLM) mostly in La Paz County, AZ
  • Upper Burro Creek Wilderness (BLM) mostly in Yavapai County, AZ
  • Wabayuma Peak Wilderness (BLM)
  • Warm Springs Wilderness (BLM)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1870 179
—
1880 1,190 564.8%
1890 1,444 21.3%
1900 3,426 137.3%
1910 3,773 10.1%
1920 5,259 39.4%
1930 5,572 6.0%
1940 8,591 54.2%
1950 8,510 −0.9%
1960 7,736 −9.1%
1970 25,857 234.2%
1980 55,865 116.1%
1990 93,497 67.4%
2000 155,032 65.8%
2010 200,186 29.1%
Est. 2015 204,737 32.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2015

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 155,032 people, 62,809 households, and 43,401 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 80,062 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.06% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 2.41% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 4.00% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. 11.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 62,809 households out of which 25.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 20.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,521, and the median income for a family was $36,311. Males had a median income of $28,505 versus $20,632 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,788. About 9.80% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

By 2006 Census Bureau estimates placed the population of Mohave County at 193,035. This represented a 24.5% increase in the population since 2000.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 200,186 people, 82,539 households, and 54,036 families residing in the county. The population density was 15.0 inhabitants per square mile (5.8/km2). There were 110,911 housing units at an average density of 8.3 per square mile (3.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.9% white, 2.2% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 6.0% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.1% were German, 16.2% were Irish, 15.6% were English, 5.7% were Italian, and 4.5% were American.

Of the 82,539 households, 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.5% were non-families, and 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 47.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,785 and the median income for a family was $47,530. Males had a median income of $36,222 versus $28,060 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,523. About 11.6% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major highways

SR 389 AZ
State Route 389 in Mohave County

Airports

The following public use airports are located in Mohave County:

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Indian reservations

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mohave County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Lake Havasu City 52,527 City 1978
2 Bullhead City 39,540 City 1984
3 † Kingman 28,068 City 1952
4 Fort Mohave 14,364 CDP
5 New Kingman-Butler 12,134 CDP
6 Golden Valley 8,370 CDP
7 Colorado City 4,821 City 1913 (founded)
8 Mohave Valley 2,616 CDP
9 Desert Hills 2,245 CDP
10 Golden Shores 2,047 CDP
11 Dolan Springs 2,033 CDP
12 Beaver Dam 1,962 CDP
13 Valle Vista 1,659 CDP
14 Scenic 1,643 CDP
15 Centennial Park 1,264 CDP
16 Meadview 1,224 CDP
17 Peach Springs 1,090 CDP
18 Willow Valley 1,062 CDP
19 Arizona Village 946 CDP
20 Walnut Creek 562 CDP
21 So-Hi 477 CDP
22 Cane Beds 448 CDP
23 Lazy Y U 428 CDP
24 Mesquite Creek 416 CDP
25 White Hills 323 CDP
26 Littlefield 308 CDP
27 Crystal Beach 279 CDP
28 Chloride 271 CDP
29 Pinion Pines 186 CDP
30 Clacks Canyon 173 CDP
31 Pine Lake 138 CDP
32 Oatman 135 CDP
33 Truxton 134 CDP
34 Wikieup 133 CDP
t-35 Antares 126 CDP
t-35 Yucca 126 CDP
36 Kaibab (partially in Coconino County) 124 CDP
37 Katherine 103 CDP
38 Moccasin 89 CDP
39 McConnico 70 CDP
40 Hackberry 68 CDP
41 Mojave Ranch Estates 52 CDP
42 Valentine 38 CDP
43 Crozier 14 CDP
44 Topock 10 CDP
45 Grand Canyon West 2 CDP

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Mohave County, Arizona Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.