RANK #594 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 11 AZ · POP 245,480
1YR FORECAST: -1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Yavapai County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.0% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 25.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Yavapai County scores 40/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#594). Median household income is $69,613 and job growth is running at -0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Yavapai County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $425,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,351/month on average.
Yavapai County's population is growing — up +1.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted 0.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.22% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Yavapai County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.