Gila County, Arizona

Infobox U.S. County
county = Gila County
state = Arizona




map size = 150
founded = 1881
seat = Globe
largest city = Payson | area_total_sq_mi =4796
area_water_sq_mi =28
area percentage = 0.58%
census yr = 2000
pop = 51335
density_km2 =4
web = www.co.gila.az.us
|

Gila County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2000 census its population was 51,335. The county seat is Globe.GR|6

Gila County contains parts of Fort Apache Indian Reservation and San Carlos Indian Reservation.

History

The county was formed from parts of Maricopa County and Pinal County on February 8 1881. 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, Arizona.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,796 square miles (12,421 km²), of which, 4,768 square miles (12,348 km²) of it is land and 28 square miles (73 km²) of it (0.58%) is water.

Adjacent counties

* Yavapai County, Arizona - northwest
* Maricopa County, Arizona - west
* Pinal County, Arizona - south
* Graham County, Arizona - southeast
* Navajo County, Arizona - east, northeast
* Coconino County, Arizona - north

National protected areas

* Coconino National Forest (part)
* Tonto National Forest (part)
* Tonto National Monument

Major Highways

*
*
*
*
*
*

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 51,335 people, 20,140 households, and 14,098 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 28,189 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.82% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 12.92% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.59% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. 16.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 9.84% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 6.29% speak Western Apache [http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=4&county_id=7&mode=geographic&order=r] .

There were 20,140 households out of which 26.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% 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 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 22.30% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 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 12.60% of families and 17.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

*Globe

Towns

*Hayden (part of Hayden is in Pinal County)
*Miami
*Payson
*Star Valley
*Winkelman (part of Winkelman is in Pinal County)

Census-designated places

*Canyon Day
*Central Heights-Midland City
*Claypool
*Gisela
*Peridot
*Pine
*San Carlos
*Strawberry
*Tonto Basin
*Top-of-the-World
*Young

Other communities

*Kohls Ranch
*Punkin Center

ee also

*Needle's Eye Wilderness

References

External links

* [http://www.co.gila.az.us County website]