RANK #769 / 996 · POP 237,830 · AZ
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%
Yavapai County, Arizona, is often recognized for Prescott, its county seat, known for its historic downtown and as "Everybody's Hometown." The county, larger than several East Coast states, sits in central Arizona, approximately 90 miles north of Phoenix. Its diverse landscape transitions from Sonoran Desert to the Mogollon Rim and Coconino Plateau, offering varied scenery and a mild climate. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with over 450 miles of hiking and biking trails in Prescott National Forest, along with opportunities for fishing, boating, and kayaking in lakes like Watson, Willow, and Lynx. The region also features numerous county parks and protected natural areas.
Life in Yavapai County attracts a notable population of retirees, though it also includes families and remote workers. Commute options within the larger towns like Prescott and Prescott Valley are supported by microtransit services such as Yav Connect. Education is served by various school districts, including Prescott Unified and Humboldt Unified. The economy is driven by sectors like education and health services, and tourism, particularly wine tourism in the Verde Valley, plays a role. Recent economic developments include a focus on attracting manufacturing firms, with an emphasis on aerospace, advanced materials, and precision machining, supported by workforce development initiatives with institutions like Yavapai College.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Agua Fria Solar, Storage and Gen-Tie Project
Longroad Energy
|
$528M | Planned |
|
Dugas Solar Farm
Longroad Energy (formerly Candela Renewables)
|
$450M | Proposed |
|
Draconis Interconnection Solar Project
Lightsource (BP)
|
$360M | Proposed |
|
Project 1874 Solar Farm
Unknown
|
$95M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Yavapai County has a Boom Town Index score of 23/100, ranking #769 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $62,430, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Yavapai County is $354,300 with median rent at $1,128/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1762, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed -0.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.19% of Yavapai County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.