Cochise County, Arizona
Cochise County is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona. It is bordered by Santa Cruz County to the west, Graham County to the north, Pima County to the east, and Mexico to the south. The county seat is Bisbee and its largest city is Sierra Vista. See Countryaah – Counties in Arizona.
The county covers an area of 6,219 square miles and has a population of over 130,000 people. It is home to two national parks – Chiricahua National Monument and Coronado National Memorial – as well as several state parks such as Kartchner Caverns State Park and Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park.
Cochise County’s climate is arid with hot summers and mild winters. The average annual precipitation for the county is 12 inches with most occurring during the summer months from July through September.
The landscape of Cochise County varies greatly from desert terrain in some areas to mountain ranges such as the Huachuca Mountains in others. The San Pedro River runs through the southern part of the county and provides a vital water source for wildlife living in this area.
The economy of Cochise County relies heavily on agriculture and military bases such as Fort Huachuca which houses U.S Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (ICoE). Tourism also contributes significantly to the county’s economy with visitors coming from all over to explore its numerous attractions including Tombstone, Bisbee, Chiricahua National Monument, Kartchner Caverns State Park, Coronado National Memorial, and more.
Demographics of Cochise County, Arizona
Cochise County is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona and has a population of over 130,000 people. The largest city in the county is Sierra Vista with a population of over 44,000 people. The county seat is Bisbee with a population of over 5,000 people.
The racial demographics of Cochise County are predominantly white (76.4%), followed by Hispanic/Latino (18.3%), Native American (1.8%), African American (1.2%), Asian American (0.9%), and other races (1.3%).
The median household income in Cochise County is $50,850, which is slightly lower than the national average of $57,652; however, the median house value of $202,500 is higher than the national average of $184,700.
Cochise County has an unemployment rate of 5%, which is lower than both the Arizona state rate and the national rate; however it still remains higher than neighboring counties such as Santa Cruz and Pima Counties which have unemployment rates near 3%.
The poverty rate for Cochise County stands at 16%, slightly higher than the Arizona state rate but lower than the national poverty rate at 20%. The majority of individuals living in poverty are under 18 years old and those living alone without any family support or assistance from public programs such as food stamps or housing assistance programs.
Places of Interest in Cochise County, Arizona
Cochise County is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The county offers a variety of attractions for those looking to explore the area.
Tombstone is one of the most popular attractions in Cochise County due to its rich history as a Wild West town. Visitors can explore the town’s many saloons, shops, and museums that depict its past as an old mining and lawless town.
Bisbee is another popular attraction in Cochise County due to its unique architecture and culture. Bisbee has been voted as one of America’s best small towns by Smithsonian Magazine and features numerous galleries, restaurants, and shops which give visitors an authentic experience of the area.
Chiricahua National Monument is a must-see for visitors interested in exploring Arizona’s natural beauty. This national monument offers stunning views of rocks shaped by volcanic activity millions of years ago, as well as abundant wildlife such as birds, lizards, deer, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and more.
Kartchner Caverns State Park provides visitors with an opportunity to explore Arizona’s underground world with tours taking place throughout the day. The park also offers camping sites where visitors can stay overnight amidst the stunning desert landscape.
Coronado National Memorial honors Francisco Vásquez de Coronado who explored what is now known as Arizona in 1540-1542. The memorial features trails which offer spectacular views of Coronado Peak along with historical exhibits about his expedition.
Cochise County also has numerous other attractions such as Ramsey Canyon Preserve which features over 250 species of birds; Fort Huachuca which houses U.S Army Intelligence Center; Chiricahua Mountains; San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area; San Rafael Valley; San Bernardino Ranch; and many more.
Notable People of Cochise County, Arizona
Cochise County, Arizona has been home to many notable people throughout its history. Some of the most prominent figures include:
John Clum was a prominent figure in the Wild West era who served as mayor of Tombstone from 1881 to 1886. He was also the founder of the town’s newspaper, The Tombstone Epitaph, and established a police force to combat crime in the area.
Geronimo was a Native American leader and medicine man who led his Apache tribe in armed resistance against U.S forces during the late 19th century. Geronimo is one of Cochise County’s most famous historical figures and his legacy lives on today with numerous monuments dedicated to him throughout the county.
Johnny Ringo was an outlaw cowboy who was active in Cochise County during the late 19th century and is believed to have been involved in numerous gunfights and criminal activities. He has become a legend in American folklore due to his reputation as a dangerous gunslinger and outlaw.
Ida Redbird is an Apache woman who fought for Native American rights during her lifetime and is recognized as one of Cochise County’s most influential women for her activism on behalf of indigenous tribes. She founded an organization called Women United For Change which works towards improving education, health care, housing, and other social issues for Native Americans living in Arizona today.
Willcox Playa is a dry lake bed located within Cochise County that has been designated by NASA as an official astronaut training site due to its similarity to landscapes found on Mars or other planets. Astronauts have trained at this site since 1962 with some notable astronauts including Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, and many others.
Finally, Jeff Flake is another notable figure from Cochise County who serves as U.S Senator from Arizona since 2013 and previously served as Congressman representing Arizona’s 6th district from 2001-2013 before he was elected Senator.
