Willcox, Arizona

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City of Willcox, Arizona
Willcox Town Hall, a former Southern Pacific Railroad station.
Willcox Town Hall, a former Southern Pacific Railroad station.
Location in Cochise County and the state of Arizona
Location in Cochise County and the state of Arizona
Coordinates: 32°15′20″N 109°50′8″W / 32.25556, -109.83556
Country United States
State Arizona
County Cochise
Incorporated 1915
Government
 - Mayor Elwood A. Johnson
Area
 - Total 6.1 sq mi (15.8 km²)
 - Land 6.0 sq mi (15.5 km²)
 - Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Elevation 4,167 ft (1,270 m)
Population (2006)[1]
 - Total 3,769
 - Density 617.9/sq mi (238.5/km²)
Time zone MST (no DST) (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 85643-85644
Area code(s) 520
FIPS code 04-83090
GNIS feature ID 0013808
Website: http://www.cityofwillcox.org/

Willcox is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,769.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Originally known as 'Maley,' the town was founded in 1880 as a whistlestop on the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was renamed in honor of a visit by the General Orlando B. Willcox in 1889. In the early 20th century, Willcox had the distinction of being a national leader in cattle production. Agriculture remains important to the local economy, but Interstate 10 has replaced the railroad as the major transportation link, and much of the economy is now tied to Interstate 10, which runs immediately north of the town. Willcox is also known as the birthplace of Rex Allen, known as "The Arizona Cowboy," who wrote and recorded many songs, starred in several Westerns during the early 1950s and the TV series "Frontier Doctor."

[edit] Geography

Willcox is located at 32°15′20″N, 109°50′8″W (32.255622, -109.835520)[2] in the Dragoon Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which, 6.0 square miles (15.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (1.96%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 3,733 people, 1,383 households, and 947 families residing in the city. The population density was 622.3 people per square mile (240.2/km²). There were 1,652 housing units at an average density of 275.4/sq mi (106.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.95% White, 0.70% Black or African American, 1.61% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 17.63% from other races, and 4.23% from two or more races. 41.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,383 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,334, and the median income for a family was $31,411. Males had a median income of $30,281 versus $15,532 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,815. About 21.6% of families and 27.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.6% of those under age 18 and 24.6% of those age 65 or over.

Willcox is the final resting place of Warren Earp in the Willcox Pioneer Cemetery east of Railroad Park.[1]

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[edit] External links