Sierra Vista
RANK #625 / 996 NAT · #7 / 11 AZ · POP 125,504
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
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.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below national median
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x 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.
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 996 counties.
At 37/100, Cochise County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $58,421 combined with job growth of +0.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Cochise County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $183,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $893/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Cochise County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +1.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
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.