La Paz County, Arizona

County in the United States

This article is about the county in Arizona. For the city in Bolivia, see La Paz. For other uses, see La Paz (disambiguation).

33°50′25″N 113°56′34″W﻿ / ﻿33.84028°N 113.94278°W﻿ / 33.84028; -113.94278

County in Arizona

La Paz County

County

Trigo Mountains

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Arizona

Arizona's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 33°50′25″N 113°56′34″W﻿ / ﻿33.8403°N 113.9428°W﻿ / 33.8403; -113.9428
Country|  United States
State|  Arizona
Founded| January 1, 1983
Named after| La Paz, Arizona
Seat| Parker
Largest town| Parker
Area

• Total

| 4,514 sq mi (11,690 km2)
• Land| 4,500 sq mi (12,000 km2)
• Water| 14 sq mi (40 km2)  0.3%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 16,557

• Estimate

(2024)

| 16,992
• Density| 3.7/sq mi (1.4/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
Congressional district| 9th
Website| www.co.la-paz.az.us
Courthouse Rock in the Eagletail Mountains, northeastern La Paz County Classic wulfenite specimen from the old Red Cloud Mine, western La Paz County

La Paz County (Spanish: Condado de La Paz) is the 15th county in the U.S. state of Arizona, located in the western part of the state. As of the 2020 census, its population was 16,557,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Arizona. The county seat is Parker.[2] The name of the county is the Spanish word for "the peace", and is taken from the early settlement (now ghost town) of La Paz along the Colorado River.

## History

[edit]

See also: Yuma County, Arizona

La Paz County was established in 1983 after voters approved separating the northern portion of Yuma County, making it the only county to be established after Arizona became a state in 1912, and currently the second youngest county in the United States (behind the consolidated city-county of Broomfield, Colorado, which was established in 2001). The county did not have a large enough tax base to begin supporting a separate county government immediately and had to rely on state money at first. As a result, the Arizona State Legislature changed Arizona laws to make splitting other existing counties much more difficult.

Under the revised Arizona laws, a county shall not be formed or divided by county initiative unless each proposed county would have all of the following characteristics: (1) at least three-fourths of one percent of the total state assessed valuation and at least the statewide per capita assessed valuation; (2) a population of at least three-fourths of one percent of the total state population according to the most recent United States decennial census; (3) at least one hundred square miles of privately owned land; (4) common boundaries with either (a) at least three other existing or proposed counties; or (b) at least two other existing or proposed counties and the state boundary.[3] A county formation commission is required to be formed to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed county.[4] A proposal to divide a county must be approved by a majority of the votes cast in each proposed new county.[5] Yet in 2022 a group of Republican state legislators, motivated largely by partisan considerations, proposed dividing Maricopa County into four counties.[6]

The Colorado River Indian Reservation is located in the western portion of the county. Part of the reservation extends westward into San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,514 sq mi (11,690 km2), of which 4,500 sq mi (12,000 km2) is land and 14 sq mi (36 km2) (0.3%) is water.[7]

The area that now makes up La Paz County was formerly part of Yuma County.

### Flora and fauna

[edit]

Hi Jolly monument near Quartzsite

La Paz County hosts a variety of flora and fauna.[8] The endangered California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera grows in a few spots in the county.[9]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Mohave County – north
* Yavapai County – northeast
* Maricopa County – east
* Yuma County – south
* Imperial County, California – southwest
* Riverside County, California – west
* San Bernardino County, California – northwest

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Cibola National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Imperial National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1990| 13,844| | —
2000| 19,715| | 42.4%
2010| 20,489| | 3.9%
2020| 16,557| | −19.2%
2024 (est.)| 16,992| [10]| 2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1]

### 2020 census

[edit]

La Paz County, Arizona – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[13] | Pop 2010[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 12,573  | 12,854  | 9,061  | 63.77%  | 62.74%  | 54.73%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 149  | 115  | 102  | 0.76%  | 0.56%  | 0.62%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 2,155  | 2,201  | 2,534  | 10.93%  | 10.74%  | 14.22%
Asian alone (NH)  | 78  | 90  | 111  | 0.40%  | 0.44%  | 0.67%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 9  | 5  | 41  | 0.05%  | 0.02%  | 0.25%
Other race alone (NH)  | 18  | 11  | 43  | 0.09%  | 0.05%  | 0.26%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)  | 313  | 407  | 648  | 1.59%  | 1.99%  | 3.91%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 4,420  | 4,806  | 4,197  | 22.42%  | 23.46%  | 25.35%
Total | 19,715 | 20,489 | 16,557 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2010, there were 20,489 people, 9,198 households, and 5,584 families living in the county.[16] The population density was 4.5//sq mi (1.8/km2). There were 16,049 housing units at an average density of 3.56 units per square mile (1.37 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 69.8% white, 12.8% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 12.5% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 23.5% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 15.9% were Irish, 15.3% were English, and 2.1% were American.[18]

Of the 9,198 households, 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 53.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,147 and the median income for a family was $37,721. Males had a median income of $35,464 versus $27,484 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,165. About 14.3% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[19]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,715 people, 8,362 households, and 5,619 families living in the county. The population density was 4.4 people per square mile (1.7 people/km2). There were 15,133 housing units at an average density of 3.4 units per square mile (1.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.2% white, 0.8% black or African American, 12.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.4% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 22.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.9% reported speaking Spanish at home.[20]

There were 8,362 households, with 21.2% having children under the age of 18, 54.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.6% of households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.79.

The county population had 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,839, and the median income for a family was $29,141. Males had a median income of $26,642 versus $20,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,916. About 13.6% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

## Law enforcement

[edit]

Law enforcement agency

La Paz County Sheriff's Office

Patch of La Paz County Sheriff's Office

Abbreviation| LPCSO
Agency overview
Formed| 1983; 42 years ago (1983)
Jurisdictional structure
General nature|

* Local civilian police

Operational structure
Headquarters| Parker, Arizona
Agency executive|

* William Ponce, Sheriff

Website
La Paz County Sheriff

The La Paz County Sheriff's Office provides general-service law enforcement to unincorporated areas of La Paz County, serving as the equivalent of the police for unincorporated areas of the county. It also operates the county jail system. The Sheriff's Office is headquartered in Parker.[21]

Past sheriffs are:

* Rayburn Evans (1983–88)
* Marvin Hare (1989–2000)
* Daniel "Hal" Collett (2001–08)
* Donald Lowery (2009–12)
* John Drum (2013–16)
* William Risen (2017-2020)
* William Ponce (2021–Present)

## Politics

[edit]

La Paz County has been a strongly Republican county since the county's formation although Bill Clinton was able to win the county in both of his elections.

United States presidential election results for La Paz County, Arizona[22][23] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 5,470  | 71.57% | 2,101  | 27.49%  | 72  | 0.94%
2020 | 5,129  | 68.64% | 2,236  | 29.93%  | 107  | 1.43%
2016 | 4,003  | 67.27% | 1,575  | 26.47%  | 373  | 6.27%
2012 | 3,714  | 64.76% | 1,880  | 32.78%  | 141  | 2.46%
2008 | 3,509  | 62.92% | 1,929  | 34.59%  | 139  | 2.49%
2004 | 3,158  | 62.42% | 1,849  | 36.55%  | 52  | 1.03%
2000 | 2,543  | 56.73% | 1,769  | 39.46%  | 171  | 3.81%
1996 | 1,902  | 42.33%  | 1,964  | 43.71% | 627  | 13.96%
1992 | 1,599  | 32.23%  | 1,808  | 36.44% | 1,554  | 31.32%
1988 | 2,562  | 57.24% | 1,746  | 39.01%  | 168  | 3.75%
1984 | 2,757  | 63.92% | 1,502  | 34.82%  | 54  | 1.25%

## Transportation

[edit]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 10
* U.S. Route 60
* U.S. Route 95
* State Route 72
* State Route 95

### Air

[edit]

Avi Suquilla Airport (FAA LID: P20) is a public use airport located one nautical mile (1.9 km) east of the central business district of Parker, Arizona. It is owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

### Rail

[edit]

The county is served by the Arizona and California Railroad for freight through Parker, Arizona.

## Communities

[edit]

Map of La Paz County showing Indian reservation, incorporated areas, and unincorporated area

### Towns

[edit]

* Parker (county seat)
* Quartzsite

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Alamo Lake
* Bluewater
* Bouse
* Brenda
* Cibola
* Cienega Springs
* Ehrenberg
* La Paz Valley
* Parker Strip
* Poston
* Salome
* Sunwest
* Utting
* Vicksburg
* Wenden

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Hope
* Love

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Clip
* Drift Desert
* Empire Flat
* Eureka
* La Paz
* Mineral City
* Nortons Landing
* Olive City
* Swansea
* Williamsport

### Indian communities

[edit]

Colorado River Indian Reservation

### County population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of La Paz County.[24]

† county seat

Rank  | City/Town/etc.  | Population (2020 Census)  | Municipal type  | Incorporated

|
|
|
|

1  | † Parker | 3,417  | Town  | 1948
2  | Quartzsite | 2,413  | Town  | 1989
3  | Cienega Springs | 1,690  | CDP  |
4  | Salome | 1,162  | CDP  |
5  | Ehrenburg | 763  | CDP  |
6  | Bouse | 707  | CDP  |
7  | Bluewater | 682  | CDP  |
8  | Parker Strip | 621  | CDP  |
9  | Brenda | 466  | CDP  |
10  | Wenden | 458  | CDP  |
11  | Vicksburg | 418  | CDP  |
12  | La Paz Valley | 368  | CDP  |
13  | Cibola | 198  | CDP  |
14  | Poston | 183  | CDP  |
15  | Utting | 92  | CDP  |
16  | Sunwest | 5  | CDP  |
17  | Alamo Lake | 4  | CDP  |

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in La Paz County, Arizona

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-132(B)
4. ^ Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-136
5. ^ Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-137(H)
6. ^ "Bill that splits up Maricopa County into 4 smaller counties advances: Here's what you should know about HR2787". February 8, 2022.
7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
8. ^ Forrest Shreve and Ira Loren Wiggins. 1964. Vegetation and flora of the Sonoran Desert, pp. 50 et seq., Stanford University Press, 1740 pages ISBN 978-0804701631
9. ^ C. Michael Hogan. 2009. California Fan Palm: Washingtonia filifera, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg Archived September 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
10. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". 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. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – La Paz County, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
14. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – La Paz County, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
15. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – La Paz County, Arizona". United States Census Bureau.
16. ^ a b c "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.
17. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
18. ^ "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.
19. ^ "DP03 Selected Economics 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.
20. ^ "Language Map Data Center". apps.mla.org.
21. ^ "Official Website". La Paz County Sheriff's Office. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008.
22. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
23. ^ "Our Campaigns". Retrieved June 22, 2025.
24. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to La Paz County, Arizona.

* County website
* Geographic data related to La Paz County, Arizona at OpenStreetMap
* "Bills tackle county growth", Arizona Republic, February 10, 2005
* "Arizona County Formation", Arizona Association of Counties

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to La Paz County, Arizona

| San Bernardino County, California | Mohave County | Yavapai County

|
|

|  |
Riverside County, California |

La Paz County, Arizona

| Maricopa County
|  |
Imperial County, California | Yuma County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of La Paz County, Arizona, United States

County seat: Parker

Towns|

* Parker
* Quartzsite

CDPs|

* Alamo Lake
* Bluewater
* Bouse
* Brenda
* Cibola
* Cienega Springs
* Ehrenberg
* La Paz Valley
* Parker Strip
* Salome
* Sunwest
* Utting
* Vicksburg
* Wenden

Populated
places|

* Desert Wells
* Hope

Indian reservations|

* Colorado River Indian Reservation

Ghost towns|

* Clip
* Drift Desert
* Empire Flat
* Eureka
* La Paz
* Mineral City
* Nortons Landing
* Olive City
* Planet
* Plomosa
* Poston
* Swansea
* Williamsport

* Arizona portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Arizona

Phoenix (capital)

Topics|

* Agriculture
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Society|

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Regions|

* Arizona Strip
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Counties|

* Apache
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Cities|

* Avondale
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History|

* Arizona Territory
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Arizona portal

Authority control databases

International|

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National|

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Other|

* NARA

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