Pima County, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pima County
|
||
|---|---|---|
Pima County Courthouse
|
||
|
||
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
|
||
 Arizona's location within the U.S. |
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  Arizona |
|
| Founded | November 9, 1864 | |
| Named for | Pima people | |
| Seat | Tucson | |
| Largest city | Tucson | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 9,189 sq mi (23,800 km2) | |
| • Land | 9,187 sq mi (23,790 km2) | |
| • Water | 2.1 sq mi (5 km2) 0.02%% | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 1,043,433 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
1,063,162  |
|
| • Density | 113.552/sq mi (43.8428/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) | |
| Congressional districts | 6th, 7th | |
Pima County is a large county in the south central part of Arizona, a state in the United States. As of 2020, over 1 million people live here, making it the second most populated county in Arizona.
The main city and county seat is Tucson. Most people in Pima County live in or near Tucson. The county is named after the Pima people, also known as Tohono Oʼodham, who are Native Americans originally from this area.
Pima County is home to parts of the Tohono O'odham Nation and all of the San Xavier Indian Reservation and Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation. It also includes beautiful natural areas like Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ironwood Forest National Monument, and Saguaro National Park.
Besides Tucson, other important towns include Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, South Tucson, and Green Valley. In the western part of the county, you'll find Sells, which is the capital of the Tohono O'odham Nation, and Ajo.
Contents
History of Pima County
Pima County is one of Arizona's four original counties. It was created on November 9, 1864. The land for the county became part of the United States in 1853 through something called the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico.
Originally, Pima County was much larger. Over time, other counties like Cochise, Graham, and Santa Cruz were formed from parts of Pima County.
Geography of Pima County
Pima County covers a huge area of about 9,189 square miles. Most of this is land, with only a tiny bit being water.
Mountains and Canyons
Pima County has many interesting land features, including:
Main Roads
Here are some of the major highways that run through Pima County:
Interstate 10
Interstate 19
Historic U.S. Route 80
State Route 77
State Route 83
State Route 85
State Route 86
State Route 210
State Route 989
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
Neighboring Areas
Pima County shares borders with several other counties in Arizona and even parts of Mexico:
- Yuma County – to the west
- Maricopa County – to the north
- Pinal County – to the north
- Graham County – to the northeast
- Cochise County – to the east
- Santa Cruz County – to the southeast and south
- Altar, Sonora, Mexico – to the south
- Caborca, Sonora, Mexico – to the south
- General Plutarco Elías Calles, Sonora, Mexico – to the south
- Sáric, Sonora, Mexico – to the south
Protected Natural Areas
Pima County is home to many important natural areas that are protected:
- Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
- Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge (part)
- Coronado National Forest (part)
- Ironwood Forest National Monument (part)
- Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (part)
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Saguaro National Park
Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
Pima County has a special plan called the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP). This plan helps protect the desert's natural and cultural resources. It also works to keep ranches, protect endangered animals, and create safe paths for wildlife.
People of Pima County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 5,716 | — | |
| 1880 | 17,006 | 197.5% | |
| 1890 | 12,673 | −25.5% | |
| 1900 | 14,689 | 15.9% | |
| 1910 | 22,818 | 55.3% | |
| 1920 | 34,680 | 52.0% | |
| 1930 | 55,676 | 60.5% | |
| 1940 | 72,838 | 30.8% | |
| 1950 | 141,216 | 93.9% | |
| 1960 | 265,660 | 88.1% | |
| 1970 | 351,667 | 32.4% | |
| 1980 | 531,443 | 51.1% | |
| 1990 | 666,880 | 25.5% | |
| 2000 | 843,746 | 26.5% | |
| 2010 | 980,263 | 16.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,043,433 | 6.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 1,063,162 | 8.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
|||
In 2010, there were about 980,263 people living in Pima County. By 2020, this number grew to 1,043,433 people. The county continues to grow, with an estimated population of over 1,063,162 in 2023.
About 34.6% of the people in Pima County are of Hispanic or Latino background. The average age of people living here is about 37.7 years old.
Cities and Towns in Pima County
Pima County has several cities, towns, and other communities.
Cities
- South Tucson
- Tucson (This is the county seat, where the main government offices are.)
Towns
- Marana (A small part of it is in Pinal County.)
- Oro Valley
- Sahuarita
Census-Designated Places (CDPs)
CDPs are areas that look like towns but are not officially governed as cities or towns.
- Ajo
- Ak Chin
- Ali Chuk
- Ali Chukson
- Ali Molina
- Anegam
- Arivaca
- Arivaca Junction
- Avra Valley
- Casas Adobes
- Catalina
- Catalina Foothills
- Chiawuli Tak
- Charco
- Comobabi
- Corona de Tucson
- Cowlic
- Drexel Heights
- Elephant Head
- Flowing Wells
- Green Valley
- Gu Oidak
- Haivana Nakya
- J-Six Ranchettes
- Kleindale
- Ko Vaya
- Littletown (This used to be a CDP.)
- Maish Vaya
- Nelson
- Nolic
- Picture Rocks
- Pimaco Two
- Pisinemo
- Rillito
- Rincon Valley
- San Miguel
- Santa Rosa
- Sells
- South Komelik
- Summerhaven
- Summit
- Tanque Verde
- Three Points
- Topawa
- Tucson Estates
- Tucson Mountains
- Vail
- Valencia West
- Ventana
- Wahak Hotrontk
- Why
- Willow Canyon
Native American Communities
- Pascua Yaqui
- San Xavier
- Tohono O'odham (part)
Other Communities
Ghost Towns
Ghost towns are places that used to be populated but are now mostly abandoned.
- Achi
- Ahan Owuch
- Ak Chut Vaya
- Allen
- Cerro Colorado
- Helvetia
- Hahuul Kawuch Vay, Arizona
- Kentucky
- Pantano
- Redington
- San Rafael
- Total Wreck
- Twin Buttes
- List of ghost towns in Arizona
Biggest Communities by Population
This table shows the largest cities and towns in Pima County based on the 2010 census.
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Population (2010 Census) | Type of Community | Year Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Tucson | 520,116 | City | 1775 |
| 2 | Casas Adobes | 66,795 | CDP | |
| 3 | Catalina Foothills | 50,796 | CDP | |
| 4 | Oro Valley | 41,011 | Town | 1974 |
| 5 | Marana | 34,961 | Town | 1977 |
| 6 | Drexel Heights | 27,749 | CDP | |
| 7 | Sahuarita | 25,259 | Town | 1994 |
| 8 | Green Valley | 21,391 | CDP | |
| 9 | Tanque Verde | 16,901 | CDP | |
| 10 | Flowing Wells | 16,419 | CDP | |
| 11 | Tucson Estates | 12,192 | CDP | |
| 12 | Vail | 10,208 | CDP | |
| 13 | Picture Rocks | 9,563 | CDP | |
| 14 | Valencia West | 9,355 | CDP | |
| 15 | Catalina | 7,569 | CDP | |
| 16 | Avra Valley | 6,050 | CDP | |
| 17 | Corona de Tucson | 5,675 | CDP | |
| 18 | South Tucson | 5,652 | City | 1940 |
| 19 | Three Points | 5,581 | CDP | |
| 20 | Summit | 5,372 | CDP | |
| 21 | Rincon Valley | 5,139 | CDP | |
| 22 | Ajo | 3,304 | CDP | |
| 23 | Sells | 2,495 | CDP | |
| 24 | Arivaca Junction | 1,090 | CDP | |
| 25 | Littletown | 873 | CDP | |
| 26 | Arivaca | 695 | CDP | |
| 27 | Santa Rosa | 628 | CDP | |
| 28 | Elephant Head | 612 | CDP | |
| 29 | Kleindale | 500 | CDP | |
| 30 | Pisinemo | 321 | CDP | |
| 31 | Topawa | 299 | CDP | |
| 32 | Nelson | 259 | CDP | |
| 33 | San Miguel | 197 | CDP | |
| 34 | Gu Oidak | 188 | CDP | |
| 35 | Why | 167 | CDP | |
| 36 | Ali Chuk | 161 | CDP | |
| 37 | Maish Vaya | 158 | CDP | |
| 38 | Anegam | 151 | CDP | |
| 39 | Cowlic | 135 | CDP | |
| 40 | Ali Chukson | 132 | CDP | |
| 41 | Wahak Hotrontk | 114 | CDP | |
| 42 | South Komelik | 111 | CDP | |
| 43 | Rillito | 97 | CDP | |
| 44 | Haivana Nakya | 96 | CDP | |
| 45 | Chiawuli Tak | 78 | CDP | |
| 46 | Ali Molina | 71 | CDP | |
| 47 | Charco | 52 | CDP | |
| 48 | Ventana | 49 | CDP | |
| 49 | Ko Vaya | 46 | CDP | |
| 50 | Summerhaven | 40 | CDP | |
| 51 | Nolic | 37 | CDP | |
| 52 | Ak Chin | 30 | CDP | |
| 53 | J-Six Ranchettes | 20 | CDP | |
| 54 | Comobabi | 8 | CDP | |
| 55 | Willow Canyon | 1 | CDP |
Education in Pima County
Many school districts serve the students of Pima County. Some districts cover all grade levels (unified), while others focus on elementary school.
Unified School Districts
These districts offer education from elementary to high school:
- Ajo Unified School District
- Amphitheater Unified School District
- Catalina Foothills Unified School District
- Flowing Wells Unified School District
- Indian Oasis-Baboquivari Unified School District
- Marana Unified School District
- Sahuarita Unified School District
- Sunnyside Unified School District
- Tanque Verde Unified School District
- Tucson Unified School District
- Vail Unified School District
Elementary School Districts
These districts focus on younger students:
- Altar Valley Elementary School District
- Continental Elementary School District
- Empire Elementary School District
- Redington Elementary School District
- San Fernando Elementary School District
The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind is also located in Tucson.
Fun Things to Do in Pima County
Yearly Events
- Pima County Fair
- Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
- Tucson Rodeo
Places to Visit
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Old Tucson Studios
- Arizona Historical Society (museum)
- Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
- Titan Missile Museum
- Pima Air and Space Museum
- Mission San Xavier del Bac
Historic Landmarks
Pima County has officially recognized several places as historic landmarks:
- Ferguson House, Hacienda Del Bosquito, Desert Treasures (Designated 2018)
- Harrenstein House (Designated 2018)
- Viewpoint, Christina and Earl J. Johnson House (Designated 2021)
- Jacobson House (Designated 2022)
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Pima para niños
