Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona

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Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona
Location in Yavapai County and the state of Arizona
Location in Yavapai County and the state of Arizona
Country United States
State Arizona
Counties Yavapai
Government
 - Mayor Bob Greene
Elevation  4,581 ft (1,396 m)
Population (2005)
 - City 3,613
Time zone MST (UTC-7)


Dewey-Humboldt is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. The estimated population of the town was 3,613 according to the 2005 census estimates. [1]

Contents

[edit] History

Dewey-Humboldt was incorporated on December 20, 2004 from the existing unincorporated towns of Dewey and Humboldt, located adjacent one another in the Agua Fria River Valley, 15 miles east of Prescott. [2]

Dewey was settled in the early 1860's by King Woolsey who named the Agua Fria River and founded the Agua Fria ranch. By the early 1870's water diversions were being used to irrigate an exstensive area of corn and other crops. The ruins of Woolsey's ranch house can still be seen between the old Black Canyon Highway and the Agua Fria River about one mile north of Humboldt. Farming continued in a small portion of the area until 2006 when the last working farm was sold to developers. Today the Dewey area is a low-density residential area.

Humboldt was also settled in the early 1860's. The town was originally named Val Verde after the company that owned the local smelting operation. The town was renamed Humboldt in 1905, and by 1907 the population reached 1,000. With two daily trains, business in the

Iron King ore dump, Humbolt, AZ
Iron King ore dump, Humbolt, AZ

town boomed and the city decided to showcase their development hosting a Labor Day celebration that year. Annual celebrations with a parade on Main Street are still being held. Organized by the Agua Fria Chamber of Commerce (http://aguafria.cc), the event is scheduled for the last Saturday in September.

The panic of 1907 caused the nearby Iron King Mine to close temporarily. After World War I, the smelter and mine closed again, and by 1930 the population of Humboldt had dwindled to 300. Humboldt had a second but smaller boom in 1934 when the mine reopened and produced $100 million in lead and zinc before its closure in 1968. The old railroad track was removed in 1971.

Today in Humboldt one smokestack remains overlooking the old historic buildings on Main Street. Hundreds of people still call Humboldt home.

Note: the following geographic and demographic data pertain to the Dewey-Humboldt Census Designated Place as defined in 2000. The town of Dewey-Humboldt did not exist during the 2000 Census and detailed information regarding demographics is not yet available.

[edit] Geography

Dewey-Humboldt is located at 34°31′57″N, 112°15′9″W (34.532579, -112.252518)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 59.3 km² (22.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 6,295 people, 2,795 households, and 2,023 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 106.1/km² (274.8/mi²). There were 3,358 housing units at an average density of 56.6/km² (146.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.43% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.49% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 5.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,795 households out of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.59.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 16.3% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 31.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,839, and the median income for a family was $41,232. Males had a median income of $35,446 versus $22,484 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,326. About 4.8% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Landmarks

Dewey was the home to Young's Farm, a farm selling turkey's since 1946. Hay rides, pumpkin patches, and a country restaurant made it a tourist site for the city dwellers in Phoenix, who do not have the chance to be on a farm, however commercialized it may be. The Farm was sold to developers in 2006 and the farm cafe burned just two months before a scheduled close.

[edit] External links