RANK #610 / 996 · POP 204,374 · AZ
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Yuma County, Arizona, stands out for its exceptional sunshine, earning it the title of "Sunniest City on Earth" by Guinness World Records. This desert region, bordering California and Mexico, is approximately 180 miles southwest of Phoenix and 280 miles east of San Diego. The community offers a relaxed pace of life with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities. Residents and visitors enjoy hiking and mountain biking in areas like the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, off-roading in the Imperial Sand Dunes, and various water activities on the Colorado River and nearby lakes. The East and West Wetlands parks along the Colorado River provide restored natural habitats for walks and bird watching.
Life in Yuma County is characterized by its affordability and a community-focused atmosphere. The population includes families, military personnel from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground, and a significant number of winter visitors. Commute options within the county include Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT) fixed-route buses and vanpool services. The economy is largely driven by agriculture, with the county producing a substantial portion of the nation's winter vegetables. Beyond agriculture, the region is seeing economic activity in sectors such as aerospace and defense, and life sciences and medical manufacturing, leveraging its existing military presence and strategic location.
Above national median
Above national median
Housing looks undervalued at 4.0x — home prices are low 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Alisa Solar and Battery Storage
Undisclosed
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Pioneer Clean Energy Center (Solar & Battery Storage)
BrightNight
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Proving Ground Solar+Storage Project
Undisclosed
|
$250M | Planned |
|
McFarland A Solar and Storage
AES Clean Energy
|
$200M | Operating |
|
White Wing Ranch Solar
Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE)
|
$179M | Operating |
|
Middle Mile Fiber Network & Wireless Mesh Broadband for Agriculture
Yuma County / eX² Technology
|
$36M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Yuma County has a Boom Town Index score of 39/100, ranking #610 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.9% and a median household income of $56,439, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Yuma County is $173,500 with median rent at $950/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3253, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.9%. Home values changed +1.4% in the past 12 months.