Flagstaff Community Profile

 

Flagstaff, Arizona is located at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, and is the largest city in Northern Arizona. The city is also the regional center and county seat for Coconino County, the second largest county in the 48 contiguous states.  The City of Flagstaff, becoming a town in 1894, incorporated as a city in 1928, and currently comprising of just over 64 square miles, is nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and surrounded by one of the largest pine forests on earth.  Flagstaff drew its name from a very tall pine tree made into a flagpole in 1876 to celebrate our nations centennial.  At nearly 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is also one of the highest elevation cities in the United States.  The city is a year-round Mecca for visitors and many Arizonans maintain second homes here.

 

 

History

In 1855 Lieutenant Beale, in surveying a road from the Rio Grande in New Mexico to Fort Tejon in California, passed over the spot where Flagstaff now stands.  While camping at the Eastern extremity of the present town, the lieutenant had his men cut the limbs from a straight pine tree in order to fly the United States flag.

 

The town’s first recognized permanent settler, Thomas F. McMillan, arrived in 1876 and built a cabin at the base of Mars Hill.  During the 1880’s Flagstaff began to grow, opening its first post office and welcoming the booming railroad industry. The town had timber, sheep and cattle and by 1886 Flagstaff was the biggest city on the main line between Albuquerque and the West Coast. 

 

Climate
		Average Temperature				Average
Month		Daily Max.		Daily Min.		Precipitation
January		42.7		15.9		1.99
February		45.3		18.0		2.09
March		49.7		21.7		2.24
April		58.1		27.1		1.28
May		67.6		33.8		0.70
June		78.0		41.1		0.50
July		81.8		50.3		2.48
August		79.1		49.1		2.83
September		73.9		41.3		1.97
October		63.7		31.0		1.57
November		51.1		22.0		1.73
December		43.7		16.3		1.91
Year (average)		61.2		30.6		21.30
Source: Western Regional Climate Center (Jan. 1950-Dec. 2003)

In 1894, Dr. Percival Lowell chose Flagstaff, due to its great visibility, as the site for the now famous Lowell Observatory.  Thirty-six years later, Pluto was discovered through the observatory’s telescopes.  The Arizona Teacher’s College began in 1899, later becoming Northern Arizona University (1966).  During the 1920’s, Route 66 was built and passed right through town making Flagstaff a popular tourist stop.  Flagstaff was incorporated as a city in 1928.

 

Today, Flagstaff is a community rich with cultural diversity, beauty and history, as well as amazing educational, recreational and scientific opportunities.

 

 

Weather

Flagstaff enjoys four distinct seasons. Moderate summer temperatures average twenty degrees less than Phoenix, and are punctuated with afternoon rain showers in July and August.  The winter brings an average annual snowfall of 99 inches, much to the enjoyment of skiers, ice skaters and snowboarders. As the snow thaws into spring, blooming wildflowers are abundant and fragrant along Flagstaff’s many hiking trails. Autumn is highlighted with the changing of the aspen leaves that transform the surrounding mountains into a golden tapestry of color.  Flagstaff averages 283 days without precipitation each year, so it is not surprising that our residents love the great outdoors, and the mild climate encourages year-round outdoor activities. 

 

 

 

 

Economic Activities

Flagstaff is a governmental, educational, transportation, cultural and commercial center.  Government is one of the largest employment sectors. Tourism is also a large employer as the city sees over 5,000,000 visitors a year.  In addition, the City houses Northern Arizona University and other scientific and high tech research and development industries.

 

 

Business Licenses		June 2004
Construction Contracting		1,653
Building Materials		126
General Merchandising Stores		14
Drug and Liquor Stores		20
Food Stores		148
Auto Sales, Parts, etc.		336
Clothing Stores		74
Home Furnishings		397
Rentals		773
Advertising, Publishing, and Printing		156
BBB		386
Misc. Retail		1,884
Franchise Accounts		114
Service Related (Business Licenses)		1,394
Total		7,475
Source: City of Flagstaff, Tax, Licensing, and Revenue Division

NAU, the largest employer in the City, has a major economic impact annually.  The campus is used year-round and hosts many professional athletes, e.g., Phoenix Cardinals and Phoenix Suns, and Olympic athletes that choose Flagstaff as training site because of the climate, altitude, and available facilities.  The University, in partnership with the City of Flagstaff and the State of Arizona, has institutionalized this with the development of the High Altitude Sports Training Center.  The Center invites athletes worldwide to train at our 7,000 feet elevation, which has proven to offer a competitive advantage.  The Center offers facilities, health assessments, and other services to these international athletes.

 

Five business and industrial parks are situated with excellent access to the Interstates (I-40 and I-17).  One additional site resides within 15 miles of the City limits.  Major manufacturers include W.L. Gore & Associates (of Gortex renown), manufacturer of medical equipment; Nestle Purina Petcare Products, manufacturer of pet food; SCA Tissue, manufacturer of tissue paper; and Joy Cone, manufacturer of ice cream cones. 

 

Total sales generated by Flagstaff businesses reached $2.57 billion in FY 2004.

 

Tourism is a year-round industry attracting skiers in the winter, vacationers in the summer, and sightseers viewing the aspen turning gold in the fall.  Non-city residents provided an estimated 50% of the sales tax revenue.  The City has 386 licensed businesses generating BBB tax revenues (an additional 2% sales tax).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cultural Opportunities and Scenic Attractions

Flagstaff serves as the cultural hub of Northern Arizona.  Because arts and cultural activities enhance the quality of life and have an economic impact, the City supports these endeavors.  Funding support for these activities comes from the Bed, Board and Booze tax, and the General Fund.  The Arts and Science Commission will disburse these funds.  Throughout the year, there are art shows, festivals, live theater performances, and Native American arts and crafts exhibits to satisfy the most ardent enthusiast. 

 

The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra performs eight concerts, a young people’s concert, and a children’s holiday concert each year.  The annual concert series often features guest artists of national and international renown.  The orchestra consists of approximately 55 members.

 

Lowell Observatory, famous for its discovery of the planet Pluto, was built in 1894 on Mars Hill and remains one of the country's leading astronomical institutions, operating seven telescopes in and around Flagstaff.  The Lowell Observatory also offers daily-guided tours and night viewings to the public. 

 

The Museum of Northern Arizona offers internationally recognition exhibits in archeology, ethnology, geology, biology, and fine art of the Colorado Plateau.  Four especially notable exhibitions, which attract national and international visitors, include the annual Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and Hispanic Exhibitions with contemporary and traditional pottery, weaving, jewelry, and sand paintings, as well as native artist demonstrations and traditional dance.

 

Known as the “City of Seven Wonders,” Flagstaff attracts millions of tourists each year due to its easy access to such scenic destinations as the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater, Oak Creek Canyon, Meteor Crater, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki National Monument, and the San Francisco Peaks. 

 

 

 

Community Facilities

Flagstaff offers a wide range of community and cultural facilities, including:

 

 

 

Communication

Flagstaff has a daily newspaper, The Arizona Daily Sun, and several weekly/bi-weekly publications.  There are three local television stations and several radio stations.  Cable television is available in most areas of the city.

 

 

 

Education

Flagstaff Unified School District #1 is widely recognized as one of the finest in the Southwest with 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 alternative schools, 3 magnet schools, and 3 high schools.  In addition to the public school system, there are 11 charter schools run by private parties.  These schools provide educational opportunities for children in kindergarten to high school.  The schools specialize in everything from specific learning styles to programs focused on the Arts.

 

Flagstaff's commitment to education is enhanced by Northern Arizona University's contribution to the community.  Established in 1899, NAU is one of Arizona's three state universities.  In the fall of 2002, NAU offered 95 Bachelor, 47 Master, and 9 Doctorate degrees.  Its approximately 18,824 students (12,874 of which were enrolled at the Flagstaff campus) are enrolled in standard curriculum in business, arts and sciences, and specialized degree programs in forestry, physical therapy, and hotel/restaurant management.

 

Coconino County Community College offers associate degrees, continuing education, and special programs for small businesses.  In the fall of 2003, enrollment is approximately 3,785 students (3,165 of which were enrolled at the two Flagstaff campus).

 

 

 

Medical

Flagstaff has an extensive array of medical facilities and resources in the areas of traditional, integrative and alternative healthcare.  Flagstaff Medical Center is the Northern Arizona Regional referral center for trauma, cancer, rehabilitation, cardiac care, high-risk maternal/fetal, MRI/CT scan, and more.  More than 148 physicians are on active staff at the hospital, representing 36 medical specialties.

 

 

 

Transportation

Flagstaff is a major crossroads for the west.  Interstates 17 and 40 provide road access to major west coast markets, including San Francisco, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, El Paso, Los Angeles, San Diego, parts of Mexico, and of course, Phoenix and Tucson.  US Highway 89 provides access to the states north of Arizona and Highway 180 provides access to the Grand Canyon. 

 

 

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway serves the city of Flagstaff with more than 100 trains passing through town daily.  Amtrak also services Flagstaff twice daily connecting with Los Angeles and Chicago.  Bus services are available for within the city (Mountain Line), intra and interstate (Greyhound), and several tour guide companies provided service around Northern Arizona.  In addition, there are several taxicab companies.

 

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, located four miles south of downtown Flagstaff on I-17, provides frequent daily flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where national and international connections can be made. 

 

 

Additionally, the City is committed to the development of a non-motorized urban trail network (FUTS), which will interconnect virtually all areas of the City when completed and will serve as an important transportation element as well as a recreation amenity.  The current draft of the proposed City/County regional plan shows an estimated 55 miles of FUTS.  The City has completed approximately 32 miles to date.

 

 

Recreation

The City is surrounded within and without by coniferous forests, which allow for an array of outdoor sports and camping and backpacking opportunities.  Downhill skiers enjoy 32 runs down the San Francisco Peaks, just 14 miles from downtown Flagstaff.  Groomed trails at a nordic center provide over 40 kilometers of cross-country skiing.  Endless miles can be skied on the hundreds of miles of forest service roads.  Flagstaff even sponsors the annual Winter Festival that includes dog sled races.

 

Hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers will find miles of trails, which range from gentle grades to extremely difficult terrain.  The outdoor sportsman will find opportunities for hunting and fishing. The individual committed to an exercise routine, which includes running, or walking will find a 2-mile track complete with a 20-station Vita Course at Buffalo Park, a woodland area atop a mesa with spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks.

 

For those who enjoy organized team sports, the City has adult and youth leagues for softball, baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, and volleyball throughout the year.  Additional recreation amenities include the skateboard park and disc golf course, which provide year-round recreational opportunities. 

 

 

Environmental Focus

Flagstaff citizens realize that the quality of life enjoyed in this mountain community is intricately related to the preservation of our environment.  Manpower and other resources are allocated to various programs that are dedicated to environmental issues.  Clean and Green sponsors a variety of programs including Adopt-An-Avenue (98 miles of roadway), Adopt-A-Park (22 parks maintained by various volunteer groups), and Adopt-A-Trail (9 miles maintained by volunteers).  Clean and Green also operates the vehicle abatement program that tows approximately 230 unwanted vehicles annually.  Volunteers from various neighborhood organizations, church groups, Americrops, and schools also get involved throughout the year to cleanup illegal dumping sites, the Rio De Flag and other undeveloped areas. The average number of these service projects is 48 per year.  In addition, the Environmental Services division assists the Flagstaff Police Department with an average of 35 cleanups each year of abated transient camp within the City limits.  Recycling programs have focused on public awareness and education, drop-off centers, cooperative venture in developing a school curriculum program (Waste in Place), and a curbside-recycling program including the construction of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).  The City of Flagstaff residents and business's recycle more than 50 tons of materials each day.  The city operates the Household Hazardous Products Collection Center to accept hazardous waste year round. 

 

Water conservation programs include a reclaim water treatment plant and related distribution lines to transport water to large irrigation water users, as well as a low-flow toilet rebate program.  The city initiated a year round water use policy that restricts the times and day outside irrigation is allowed.  The toilet rebate program has been extended to commercial and industrial users as well as residential customers.  In addition, the city is considering incentives for installation of waterless urinals, hot water re-circulators, and turf reduction.  The City has also initiated a program for the use of rain barrels.  Additionally, the City provides funding support to not-for-profit organizations such as the Resource Center for Environmental Education and the Museum of Northern Arizona.

 

 

Flagstaff Census Facts

The following is information from the 2000 Census.

 

Miscellaneous Stats
Total Population	52,894
Median Age	26.8
Average Household Size	2.59
Average Family Size	3.13
Number of Housing Units	21,396
Median Household Income	$     37,146
Median Family Income	$     48,427
Per Capita Income	$     18,637

 

Population by Age
Under 10	6,956
10-19 Years	8,361
20-29 Years	14,023
30-39 Years	7,249
40-49 Years	7,415
50-59 Years	4,737
60-69 Years	2,259
70-79 Years	1,296
80-89 Years	507
90-100 Years	91
Total Population	52,894

 

Race
White	41,214
Black of African American	927
American Indian and Alaska Native	5,284
Asian	660
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	65
Some Other Race	3,201
Two or More Races	1,543
Total Population	52,894

                       

Education (Age 25 and older)
Less than 9th Grade	1,138
9th to 12th Grade-No Diploma	1,794
High School Graduate	4,878
Some College-No Degree	7,880
Associates Degree	1,707
Bachelor's Degree	7,001
Graduate or Professional Degree	4,324
Total Population	28,722

 

Occupation (Age 16 and Older)
Management, Professional, & Related	11,066
Service	5,683
Sales and Office	7,894
Farming, Fishing, & Forestry	111
Construction, Extraction, & Maintenance	2,065
Transportation & Material Moving	2,404
Total Population	29,223

 

 

 

For Further Information, Contact:

 

City of Flagstaff	Flagstaff Visitor Center
211 W. Aspen	1 East Route 66
Flagstaff, AZ 86001	Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:  (928) 774-5281	Phone:  (928) 774-9541
Fax: (928) 779-7696	Toll Free: (800) 842-7293
http://flagstaff.az.gov/	Fax: (928) 556-1308
	www.flagstaffarizona.org
Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce	Arizona Department of Commerce
101 West Route 66	3800 N. Central Ave., Ste. 1400
Flagstaff, AZ 86001	Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone:  (928) 774-4505	Phone:  (602) 280-1321
Fax: (928) 779-1209	Fax:  (602) 280-1305
www.flagstaffchamber.com	www.state.az.us.commerce
Greater Flagstaff Economic Council
1300 S. Milton Rd. S-125
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:  (928) 779-7658
Toll Free: (800) 595-7658
www.gfec.org