RANK #869 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 11 AZ · POP 125,566
1YR FORECAST: -1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Cochise County, in Arizona's southeastern corner, is often first recognized for its historic towns like Tombstone, famous for its Old West legacy, or Bisbee, an old mining town now known for its arts community. Located about an hour southeast of Tucson, the county offers a different pace of life with a commute time averaging around 20 minutes. The area is characterized by "sky island" mountain ranges rising from the desert, providing a cooler climate than other parts of Arizona. This diverse landscape supports extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking and rock climbing in areas like Cochise Stronghold and the Chiricahua Mountains, and world-class birdwatching, particularly in places like Ramsey Canyon Preserve and the San Pedro River National Conservation Area.
Life in Cochise County is often described as peaceful and quiet, appealing to families, retirees, and those seeking a less crowded environment. The economy is diverse, with Fort Huachuca serving as a major employer. Agriculture, particularly in the Sulphur Springs Valley and Willcox, also plays a role, with the county being a significant wine-producing region. Douglas, on the U.S.-Mexico border, has developed a manufacturing base. Recent economic developments include investments in energy sectors, contributing to the county's evolving economic landscape. The county also offers various public and private K-12 school districts and higher education options through Cochise College and a University of Arizona campus in Sierra Vista.
Cochise County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.6% YoY, population +0.1%, wages +2.1%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 13.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Desert Vine Wind Project
Repsol Renewables North America
|
$380M | Proposed |
|
Apache Solar II Project and Roadrunner Project (Solar & Battery Storage)
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) / Clēnera LLC
|
$294M | Planned |
|
BrightNight Three Sisters Solar and Battery Storage Project
BrightNight
|
$259M | Proposed |
|
Winchester Solar and Battery Storage Facility
Torch Clean Energy / Tucson Electric Power (TEP)
|
$160M | Planned |
|
Babacomari Solar Project
Cleanview (developer not specified, TEP offtake)
|
$160M | Planned |
|
Herbie Solar & Storage Project
Korsail Energy
|
$120M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Cochise County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #869 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -1.4% and median household income of $59,742 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Cochise County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $218,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $995/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cochise County's job market is contracting (-1.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.1% change). Home values are +0.6% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.24% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cochise County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.