RANK #440 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 11 AZ · POP 211,741
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
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.
Yuma County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.6% YoY, population +1.9%, wages +5.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.4x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Yuma County scores 56/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#440). Median household income is $62,876 and job growth is running at -0.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Yuma County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $217,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $993/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Yuma County's population is growing — up +1.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.8%). Home values shifted +1.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.83% of Yuma County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.