Pinal County
County
Second Pinal County Courthouse in Florence
Second Pinal County Courthouse in Florence
Official seal of Pinal County
Seal
Map of Arizona highlighting Pinal County
Location within the U.S. state of Arizona
Map of the United States highlighting Arizona
Arizona's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°59′13″N 111°19′38″W / 32.98694°N 111.32722°W / 32.98694; -111.32722
Country United States
State Arizona
FoundedFebruary 1, 1875
Named forPinal Peak
SeatFlorence
Largest municipalitySan Tan Valley
Maricopa (incorporated)[1]
Area
 • Total5,374 sq mi (13,920 km2)
 • Land5,366 sq mi (13,900 km2)
 • Water8.6 sq mi (22 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total425,264
 • Estimate 
(2021)
449,557 Increase
 • Density79/sq mi (31/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional districts2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th
Websitewww.pinalcountyaz.gov

Pinal County is in the central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. According to the 2020 census, the population of the county was 425,264,[2] making it Arizona's third-most populous county. The county seat is Florence. The county was founded in 1875.

Pinal County contains parts of the Tohono Oʼodham Nation, the Gila River Indian Community and the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, as well as all of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Pinal County is included in the Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale, Arizona Metropolitan Statistical Area. Suburban growth southward from greater Phoenix has begun to spread into the county's northern parts; similarly, growth northward from Tucson is spreading into the county's southern portions. Pinal County has five cities: Maricopa, Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Eloy, and Coolidge. There are also many unincorporated areas, which have shown accelerated growth patterns in recent years; such suburban development is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

History

Pinal County was carved out of neighboring Maricopa County and Pima County on February 1, 1875, during the Eighth Legislature. In the August 18, 1899, issue of The Arizona Magazine, the name "Pinal" is said to come from the pine-clad Pinal Mountains.[3] Pinal County was the second-fastest-growing county in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010.[4]

In 2010, CNN Money named Pinal County as the second fastest growing county in the USA.[5]

Pinal County has been identified as the second riskiest county for combined impacts of climate change from 2040 to 2060, largely due to high risks of extreme heat, fire hazard and economic and crop damages.[6]

Geography

Picketpost Peak, a prominent landmark above Superior
Spring wildflowers in the Sonoran Desert National Monument

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,374 square miles (13,920 km2), of which 5,366 square miles (13,900 km2) is land and 8.6 square miles (22 km2) (0.2%) is water.[7]

Mountain ranges

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18803,044—
18904,25139.7%
19007,77983.0%
19109,04516.3%
192016,13078.3%
193022,08136.9%
194028,84130.6%
195043,19149.8%
196062,67345.1%
197067,9168.4%
198090,91833.9%
1990116,37928.0%
2000179,72754.4%
2010375,770109.1%
2020425,26413.2%
2021 (est.)449,557[8]5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[2]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 179,727 people, 61,364 households, and 45,225 families living in the county. The population density was 34 inhabitants per square mile (13 inhabitants/km2). There were 81,154 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.4% White, 2.8% Black or African American, 7.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 15.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 29.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.9% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 1.4% speak O'odham and <0.1% speak Apache.[13]

Of the 61,364 households 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 21.1% of households were one person and 9.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.09.

The age distribution was 25.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.0 males.

The median household income was $35,856 and the median family income was $39,548. Males had a median income of $31,544 versus $23,726 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,025. About 12.1% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty threshold, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 375,770 people, 125,590 households, and 92,157 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 70.0 inhabitants per square mile (27.0 inhabitants/km2). There were 159,222 housing units at an average density of 29.7 units per square mile (11.5 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 72.4% white, 5.6% American Indian, 4.6% black or African American, 1.7% Asian, 0.4% Pacific islander, 11.5% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 28.5% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 16.9% were German, 10.6% were Irish, 9.5% were English, and 2.8% were American.[16]

Of the 125,590 households, 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.6% were non-families, and 20.5% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.21. The median age was 35.3 years.[14]

The median household income was $51,310 and the median family income was $56,299. Males had a median income of $45,082 versus $34,785 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,716. About 10.1% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Politics

During the 20th century, Pinal was very much a bellwether county in U.S. presidential elections, having supported the winning candidate in every election between Arizona's statehood in 1912 and 2004 except for that of 1968, when Hubert Humphrey won the county by 3.2 percentage points but lost to Richard M. Nixon. As a result of the urban sprawl from Phoenix spreading into the county, a major political reversal has taken place between it and neighboring Maricopa County since the turn of the millennium. Maricopa County is now becoming more progressive as is the trend of most largely populated city centers in America. Pinal voters currently still trend more conservative for now. Donald Trump carried the county by the second-largest margin for a Republican since statehood.

United States presidential election results for Pinal County, Arizona[18][19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 107,077 57.72% 75,106 40.48% 3,342 1.80%
2016 72,819 56.21% 47,892 36.97% 8,835 6.82%
2012 62,079 57.12% 44,306 40.77% 2,297 2.11%
2008 59,421 56.38% 44,254 41.99% 1,723 1.63%
2004 37,006 57.27% 27,252 42.17% 364 0.56%
2000 20,122 48.73% 19,650 47.59% 1,518 3.68%
1996 13,034 35.33% 19,579 53.07% 4,282 11.61%
1992 11,669 31.76% 15,468 42.10% 9,602 26.14%
1988 14,966 51.29% 13,850 47.46% 364 1.25%
1984 16,464 57.53% 11,923 41.66% 232 0.81%
1980 12,195 52.43% 9,207 39.59% 1,856 7.98%
1976 9,354 45.40% 10,595 51.42% 655 3.18%
1972 10,584 60.28% 6,404 36.47% 571 3.25%
1968 6,883 42.37% 7,409 45.61% 1,954 12.03%
1964 6,956 41.23% 9,911 58.74% 5 0.03%
1960 6,441 47.07% 7,232 52.85% 11 0.08%
1956 5,762 53.15% 5,063 46.70% 17 0.16%
1952 4,985 52.44% 4,522 47.56% 0 0.00%
1948 2,232 37.91% 3,572 60.68% 83 1.41%
1944 1,909 38.51% 3,026 61.04% 22 0.44%
1940 1,996 31.05% 4,411 68.61% 22 0.34%
1936 1,216 24.98% 3,498 71.86% 154 3.16%
1932 1,000 23.90% 3,137 74.98% 47 1.12%
1928 1,631 53.41% 1,419 46.46% 4 0.13%
1924 1,075 40.86% 988 37.55% 568 21.59%
1920 1,493 54.15% 1,264 45.85% 0 0.00%
1916 855 39.24% 1,232 56.54% 92 4.22%
1912 80 9.94% 352 43.73% 373 46.34%

Government

Salaries for county elected officials are set by the Arizona Revised Statutes. All county elected officials except the Sheriff (Mark Lamb as of 2017) and the County Attorney make a salary of $63,800, along with county benefits and compulsory participation in the Arizona State Elected Official Retirement Plan.[20] In 2020, the Republican Party won complete control of the Board of Supervisors. In 2022, the Arizona Supreme Court deemed their Road Improvement Tax (passed in 2018) as illegal due to the tax only applied to purchases under $10,000. In 2022, the county's elections department came under intense scrutiny following several mistakes in the primary election. At the time, the Elections Department had only two full-time employees. The Board of Supervisors found themselves being accused of not properly funding the Elections Department.

Economy

CoreCivic, while still known as Corrections Corporation of America, operated the privately owned Saguaro Correctional Center.[21] located in Eloy in Pinal County,[22] It is paid by the state of Hawaii to house the majority of Hawaii's male prison inmate population.[21]

Communities

Map of incorporated areas and Indian reservations in Pinal County
Native copper with cuprite from the Ray Mine near Kearny

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

County population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Pinal County.[23] † county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2020 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 San Tan Valley 99,894 CDP
2 Queen Creek (partially in Maricopa County) 59,519 Town 1990
3 Maricopa 58,125 City 2003
4 Casa Grande 53,658 City 1879 (founded)
5 Marana (mostly in Pima County) 51,908 Town 1977
6 Apache Junction (partially in Maricopa County) 38,499 City 1978
7 † Florence 26,785 Town 1900[24]
8 Eloy 15,635 City 1949
9 Coolidge 13,218 City 1945
10 Saddlebrooke 12,574 CDP
11 Gold Canyon 11,404 CDP
12 Arizona City 9,868 CDP
13 San Manuel 3,692 CDP
14 Oracle 3,656 CDP
15 Superior 3,319 Town 1976
16 Kearny 2,261 Town 1959
17 Sacaton 1,824 CDP
18 Mammoth 1,759 Town 1958
19 Dudleyville 1,068 CDP
20 Casa Blanca 1,004 CDP
21 Queen Valley 566 CDP
22 Stanfield 515 CDP

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Surprising numbers for Pinal cities in census; Maricopa now most populous city". August 13, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  3. ↑ Granger, Byrd Howell (1983). Arizona's Names (X Marks the Place). Tucson, AZ: The Falconer Publishing Company. p. 483. ISBN 0918080185.
  4. ↑ "PopulationDistributionandChange:2000to2010" (PDF). UnitedStatesCensusBureau. March 2011. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Fastest Growing U.S. Counties". CNN Money. June 21, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  6. ↑ Shaw, Al; Lustgarten, Abrahm; Goldsmith, Jeremy W. (September 15, 2020). "New Climate Maps Show a Transformed United States". ProPublica. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Language Map Data Center". Mla.org. July 17, 2007. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  16. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  17. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  18. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  19. ↑ Scammon, Richard M. (compiler); America at the Polls: A Handbook of Presidential Election Statistics 1920-1964; pp. 42-44 ISBN 0405077114
  20. ↑ "Arizona Revised Statutes". Azleg.gov. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  21. 1 2 Brady, Kat. "Using private prisons costs more than it seems." (editorial) Honolulu Star Advertiser. June 18, 2010. Retrieved on September 29, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Saguaro Correctional Center Archived September 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Corrections Corporation of America. Retrieved on September 30, 2010.
  23. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Pinal County, Arizona".
  24. ↑ "League of Arizona Cities and Towns".
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