RANK #479 / 996 · POP 107,110 · AZ
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.8%
Navajo County, Arizona, is often recognized for its diverse landscapes, including portions of the Petrified Forest National Park, the Painted Desert, and one of North America's largest ponderosa pine forests. Situated in northeastern Arizona, the county is about a four-hour drive from Phoenix and Albuquerque, with Interstate 40 providing a major transportation artery. The community feel varies across its towns like Show Low, Holbrook, and Winslow, with a significant portion of the county encompassing tribal lands of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and White Mountain Apache Tribe. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, offering opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and winter sports.
Life in Navajo County offers a blend of rural charm and outdoor access. The economy, historically tied to industries like timber and ranching, is seeing shifts. While traditional sectors like healthcare, education, and retail remain significant employers, there is a growing focus on diversifying the economic landscape. Recent developments indicate investment in renewable energy projects, particularly solar facilities, which are expected to create construction jobs and contribute to the local tax base. These projects aim to provide long-term economic benefits and support local services and schools.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
SE Cygnus Solar Energy Facility
SE Cygnus
|
$650M | Planned |
|
West Camp Wind Farm
AES Corporation
|
$504M | Planned |
|
Hashknife Energy Center (Solar & Battery Storage)
Invenergy
|
$475M | Under Construction |
|
Lark Point Solar Power Plant with Battery Facility
Lark Point Solar
|
$450M | Approved |
|
Papermill Wind Project
BluEarth Renewables
|
$340M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Navajo County has a Boom Town Index score of 52/100, ranking #479 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.7% and a median household income of $50,335, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Navajo County is $165,600 with median rent at $800/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.304, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.7%. Home values changed +0.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.31% of Navajo County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.