Yuma, Arizona

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

City of Yuma, Arizona
Coordinates: 32°41′32″N 114°36′55″W / 32.69222, -114.61528
Country United States
State Arizona
County Yuma
Incorporated 1914
Government
 - Mayor Lawrence K. Nelson (R)
Area
 - Total 106.7 sq mi (276.4 km²)
 - Land 106.7 sq mi (276.2 km²)
 - Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)  0.07%
Elevation 138 ft (43 m)
Population (2006)
 - Total 135,423
 - Density 726.8/sq mi (280.6/km²)
Time zone MST (no DST) (UTC-7)
Area code(s) 928
FIPS code 04-85540
GNIS feature ID 0014111
Website: http://www.YumaAZ.gov/

Yuma is the county seat[1] of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. According to 2000 Census, the population of the city was 77,515, with a 2006 Census Bureau estimate of 135,423.[2]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Yuma is located at 32°41′32″N, 114°36′55″W (32.692148, -114.615389)[3], close to the border, with California to the west and with Mexico to the south. Yuma is just west of the Gila and Colorado River confluence.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 106.7 square miles (276.4 km²), of which, 106.7 square miles (276.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.07%) is water.

[edit] History

Yuma Crossing and RR bridge in 1886. The bridge was built in 1877.
Yuma Crossing and RR bridge in 1886. The bridge was built in 1877.

The area's first settlers were Native American Tribes, whose descendants occupy the Cocopah and Quechan reservations near the city. In 1540, expeditions under Hernando de Alarcon and Melchior Diaz visited here and immediately saw the natural crossing of the Colorado River was an ideal spot for a city.

Yuma-ferry in year 1889
Yuma-ferry in year 1889

From the 1850s through the 1870s, the Yuma Crossing was known for its steamboat crossing, and spot for them to stop on the way up and down the river. The steamboats transported passengers and equipment for the various mines and military outposts. Yuma served as the gateway to the new Republic (later State) of California, as it was one of the few natural spots to cross the very wide Colorado River. The Southern Pacific Railroad bridged the river in 1870 and helped continue Yuma as a major hub in the desert southwest. Yuma became the county seat for the area in 1864. Famous farm labor organizer Cesar Chavez was born and spent much of his life in Yuma.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1870 1,144
—
1880 1,200 4.9%
1890 1,773 47.8%
1900 1,519 -14.3%
1910 2,914 91.8%
1920 4,237 45.4%
1930 4,892 15.5%
1940 5,325 8.9%
1950 9,145 71.7%
1960 23,974 162.2%
1970 29,007 21.0%
1980 42,481 46.5%
1990 56,966 34.1%
2000 77,515 36.1%
Est. 2006 87,523 12.9%
[4]

Yuma is the central city of the Yuma, AZ MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), which consists of Yuma County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the 2007 estimated population of the Yuma MSA is 190,557,[5] though more than 85,000 winter visitors make Yuma their winter residence.[6]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 77,515 people, 26,649 households, and 19,613 families residing in the city. The population density was 726.8 people per square mile (280.6/km²). There were 34,475 housing units at an average density of 323.3/sq mi (124.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.33% White, 3.21% Black or African American, 1.51% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 21.36% from other races, and 3.90% from two or more races. 45.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 26,649 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

According to the 2006 American Community Survey estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $39,885, and the median income for a family was $41,588. Males had a median income of $35,440 versus $27,035 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,393. About 14.1% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.4% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over. In addition to low income, some Yuma residents are also below the poverty line because Yuma tops CareerBuilder.com's list of 20 U.S. cities with the highest unemployment rates.[8]

[edit] Climate

Yuma is one of the hottest cities of any size in the United States, with average July high temperatures of 107 degrees Fahrenheit. (By way of comparison, the corresponding figure for Death Valley is 115 degrees.) Average January highs are around 69 degrees. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Yuma is the sunniest place on earth. Of the possible 4,456 hours of daylight each year, the sun shines in Yuma for roughly 4,050 hours, or about 90% of the time. The near perfect flying weather year round attracts military interest in training their pilots here. On average Yuma receives about 3 inches of rain annually.

On July 28, 1995 Yuma reached its all-time high at 124 degrees. The lowest temperature for Yuma to fall to was 13 degrees on the Yuma mesa in January of 2007. The temperature fell to 13 degrees for approximately 2 hours and was detrimental to the many crops grown in and around Yuma. The crop that suffered the most damage was the citrus on the Yuma mesa, most notably the Lemon crop which suffered a 75 to 95% loss of not only crop, but trees and stated by the Arizona Department of Agriculture in a February 2007 report.

In 1997, the desert city sustained a full tropical storm after Hurricane Nora made landfall at the mouth of the Colorado River and quickly moved due north along it. The extraordinarily rare event cut power to 12,000 customers in Yuma, and dropped 3.59 inches or over 90mm of rain at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rec High °F 88 97 100 107 116 122 124 120 116 112 98 86
Norm High °F 69.9 75.2 80.1 87.2 94.7 104.4 107.3 106.1 101 90.3 77.3 69
Norm Low °F 46.2 48.8 52.8 58.1 65.1 73.2 80.8 80.8 75.3 64 52.2 45.8
Rec Low °F 13 28 32 41 46 54 63 63 53 35 30 27
Precip (in) 0.38 0.28 0.27 0.09 0.05 0.02 0.23 0.61 0.26 0.26 0.14 0.42
Source: USTravelWeather.com [1]

[edit] Sites of interest

Desert near Yuma in 2005.
Desert near Yuma in 2005.

Yuma contains the historical Yuma Territorial Prison, the Yuma Crossing Historic Park, and a historic downtown area. Yuma is an Arizona Main Street City. Near Yuma are the Kofa Mountain Range and wildlife refuge, Martinez and Mittry Lakes, and the Algodones Dunes, which draw tens of thousands of visitors every year especially during thanksgiving.

There are many hunting and fishing opportunities in Yuma, as uninhabited areas of the county offer a home for a variety of game and fish. Mule Deer and Desert Bighorn Sheep can be found in surrounding areas. Coyotes can be found throughout the area and even within city limits. Dove and quail seasons are popular sporting occasions each autumn, the Mourning dove being a byproduct of the extensive Colorado river–irrigated agriculture lands.

The city is also the location of the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, which conducts an annual air show and many large-scale military exercises. There is also the Yuma Proving Ground, an Army base which tests new military equipment.

Another point of interest in Yuma is the Colorado River which runs along the north and west side of town dividing Arizona and California. Yuma is an important station for trucking industry movement of goods between California, Arizona, and Mexico.

Nearby is the town of Los Algodones, Baja California which has become a very popular spot for tourists to shop and enjoy the local cuisine.

[edit] Famous residents

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Images

4th Avenue High School

Gowan Company Building

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arizona (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21, 2006). Retrieved on November 14, 2006.
  3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Gibson, Campbell. "Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990." United States Census Bureau. June, 1998. Retrieved on October 7, 2006.
  5. ^ Current Lists of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Definitions
  6. ^ City of Yuma. Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  7. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  8. ^ CareerBuilder.com Article

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Yuma County, Arizona
County seat: Yuma
Cities

San Luis | Somerton | Yuma
Town
CDPs
Unincorporated
communities
Flag of Arizona
v • d • e

 
State of Arizona
Phoenix (capital)
Topics
Regions
Counties
Cities