Graham County economic data, statistics & info
A project of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG) in partnership with Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) and community sponsors
Census 2020 Population: 38,533
Graham County's population as of Census 2020 was 38,533, up 3.5% from 2010. Graham County's population is projected to reach 41,015 in 2030 and 48,265 in 2060, according to projections by Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Arizona OEO Annual Population Estimates
Graham County Census Data Library
Labor market
UNEMPLOYMENT: The unadjusted unemployment rate in Graham County in December 2022 was 2.7%, up from 2.4% in December 2021. Municipality unemployment rates in December 2022 (compared to December 2021) were:
- Pima: 2.2% (up from 1.9% in December 2021)
- Safford: 1.8% (up from 1.6%)
- Thatcher: 2.3% (up from 2.1%)
NONFARM PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT: The number of nonfarm jobs in Graham County was up by 275 in 2022, for job growth of 2.8% (based on average monthly job numbers). The private sector added 300 jobs (4.3%) while government dropped 25 jobs (-0.9%).
WAGES: The average annual wage in Graham County in 2021 was $47,519 ($22.85 hourly), which was 86% of the Arizona statewide average wage of $55,170 ($26.53 hourly) and 82% of the national average wage of $58,260 ($28.01 hourly). Graham County's average wage in 2021 was up 3.3% from 2020.
Labor force, employment & unemployment
Labor force participation
Job growth projections
Graham County businesses & payroll (by industry & employment size)
Personal income & GDP
PERSONAL INCOME: In 2021, Graham County had a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $38,785. This PCPI ranked 15th in the state and was 69.9% of the state average, $55,487, and 60.5% of the national average, $64,143. The 2021 PCPI reflected an increase of 7.8% from 2020. The 2020–2021 state change was 6% and the national change was 7.3%. In 2011, the PCPI of Graham County was $25,501 and ranked 15th in the state. The 2011–2021 compound annual growth rate of PCPI was 4.3%. The compound annual growth rate for the state was 4.6% and for the nation was 4.1%.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: In 2021, Graham County produced 1,546,301 in current-dollar total GDP*. This GDP ranked 14th in the state and accounted for 0.4% of the state total. In 2011, the total GDP of Graham County was 789,249 and ranked 14th in the state.
In 2021, Graham County real GDP grew 15.8%; the 2020–2021 state change was 6.3%. The 2011–2021 compound annual growth rate for Graham County real GDP was 4.1%; the compound annual growth rate for the state was 2.7%.
*GDP estimates are in thousands of dollars.
For more info on Graham County's personal income and GDP, check out the county's BEA Regional Fact Sheet (BEARFACTS)
Nonemployer business establishments & sales (by industry)
Major industry sales
In 2022, Graham County's retail sales were up 14.0%, while restaurant & bar sales were up 5.3%. Hotel/motel receipts in Graham and Greenlee counties combined were up 37.6% in 2022, following an 18.9% rebound in 2021 from a COVID-related drop of 25.1% in 2020, the first year of the pandemic.
Real estate & new home construction
Home prices, days on market & permits
HOME PRICES & DAYS ON MARKET: In November 2022, the median price of homes sold in Graham County was $300,000, according to National Association of Realtors. That was up 77.0% from November 2021. The median days on market in November was 58, down from 168 in November 2021. As of December 2022, there were 234 homes listed for sale in Graham County, up from 208 in May (for more info visit Graham County, AZ Real Estate Market).
NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION: In 2021, there were 181 building permits issued for new homes in Graham County, down from 187 in 2020.
Tourism
Visits and impact
In the first 6 months of 2022, visits to Roper Lake State Park in Graham County were down 38.1%, compared to the first half of 2021. In 2021, annual visits to Roper Lake State Park were down 11.2% after increasing 21.7% in 2020.
According to research by Dean Runyan Associates for Arizona Office of Tourism, Graham and Greenlee County's combined travel industry (including business and leisure travel in both counties) generated $80.4 million in direct spending in 2021, up 65.9% following a 43% COVID-related decline in 2020. Graham and Greenlee County's travel industry supported 910 jobs between the two counties in 2021 (up 10.8% after a 19.1% drop the year prior) with associated household earnings of $18.3 million (up 13% after declining 7.1% the previous year).
Bank deposits
In 2022, bank deposits in Graham County (as of June 30) were up 10.3% from 2021. That was on the heels of a 3.4% increase in 2021 and 43.7% growth in 2020. The 2020 jump was the fastest rate of increase since 2006. Deposits in recent years were helped along by economic stimulus payments and other COVID programs.
A partnership project
Looking for economic information, data & statistics for neighboring Greenlee County?
A project of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG) in partnership with Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) and community sponsors
SAEDG is an Arizona State Data Center Affiliate
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