Demographics

The outlook is good for Greater Yuma. From our history as a strategic commercial crossing place, Yuma is now a strategic crossroads for trade in North America. Yuma County has always been a place with abundant water, sunshine and business opportunity.

Growth

• Between 1990 - 2000, the City of Yuma has grown 36%.
• Classified as a Metropolitan Statistical Area, one of only three MSA's in Arizona.
• Third fastest growing metropolitan area in the country.
• Foreign and national business investors suddenly find Yuma on a new set of maps with higher ranking as a "place to do business."
• A recent study, titled "Yuma County, Arizona: Growing Business At The Border," locates Yuma strategically in the Desert Pacific Region. This market area reaches Las Vegas to the North, Albuquerque and El Paso to the East, Mazatlan to the South and takes in the entire Baja peninsula North to Los Angeles, California.

Population as of 2000 Census

Jurisdiction	1990	2000
Yuma County	106889	160,026
City of Yuma	54923	77,515
City of San Luis	4212	15,322
City of Somerton	5282	7,266
Town of Wellton	1066	1,829
Unincorporated	41406	58,094

Primary Industry

Industry	$
Agriculture	$900M
Tourism	$450M
Military	$300M

• Yuma's industry and manufacturing base has grown steadily on both sides of the border (maquiladoras included) precipitating additional trade in the Yuma-Rio Colorado region.

• We support to military bases: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma (MCAS) and U. S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG)

• For specific economic development assistance, contact the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC) at 928-783-0193 or Toll Free at 1-800-408-9332.

Economy

• On Interstate 8, more than 6.5 million vehicles per year (18,000 per day) pass through Yuma. At San Luis, another 2.6 million autos and 46,000 commercial vehicles cross annually.

• Shoppers from Mexico contribute approximately $160 million annually to Yuma County.

• Yuma's annual sales continually show healthy increases compared to other parts of Arizona and the nation.

• A Yuma business myth: As with many communities in Southwestern Arizona, Yuma's summer business seems to "die off". There is some truth to the story, but not much. In the slowest sales months of the year (June, July and August) the aggregate sales by Yuma businesses represents 22-24% of their annual sales.

• View our Job Seeker's Page for local employment agencies.

Taxes

• Tax rates vary according to school district residence.

• Rates are based on $15.1723 per $100 assessed value. Commercial assessed value is 25% of market value while residences are 10% of market value.

• For example: assessed value on commercial property valued at $1 million would be $250,000. For assessed value on other property classification, contact the County Assessor's office at 928-329-2038.

• As you know, government uses businesses in a major way to collect taxes: one form of this is through sales tax. Depending on what the customer is buying, a tax portion of the sale is added on to be distributed in several directions. Whether in town or the County, the largest portion, 5%, goes to the State of Arizona.

• If you're staying at a local motel, the state takes even more: 5.6%. Yuma County will take an optional 1% for retail goods, restaurants and motels. The City of Yuma adds 1.7% for retail goods and another 2% (total of 3.7%) for meals or motel rooms.

• In San Luis, Somerton and Wellton, you pay the state 5%, county 1% and an additional 2.5% to the cities for a total of 8.5%.

Sales Tax Table

	RETAIL	RESTAURANT	MOTEL
Yuma County	7.3%	6.0%	6.6%
City of San Luis	8.5%	8.5%	9.1%
City of Somerton	8.5%	8.5%	9.1%
City of Wellton	8.5%	8.5%	9.1%
City of Yuma	8.4%	10.4%	10.4%

Median Age

Location	<5	5-9	10-14	15-19	20-24	25-34	35-44
Yuma County	12,717	13,338	12,986	11,982	11,295	20,054	20,945
City of Yuma	6,714	6,552	6,131	6,092	6,691	10,439	10,559
City of San Luis	1,384	1,604	1,567	1,436	1,439	2,738	2,494
City of Somerton	732	822	819	739	527	1,061	997
Town of Wellton	107	102	147	130	74	151	167
Fortuna-Foothills	692	695	663	531	400	1,244	1,430
Gadsden	86	107	117	106	61	119	146
Tacna	39	53	45	48	25	65	79
Cocopah	65	63	42	40	46	83	76
Total Arizona	382,386	389,869	378,211	367,722	362,860	742,665	768,804