SA Economics
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
Graham County, Arizona
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Population & demographics
Graham County's population as of Census 2020 was 38,533, up 3.5% from 2010. Graham County's population is expected to reach 41,015 in 2030 and 48,265 in 2060, according to projections by Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
See spreadsheets for county, city, town & place data.
Annual population estimates (Arizona OEO)
Demographics
Labor market
UNEMPLOYMENT: The annual unemployment rate in Graham County in 2022 was 3.6%, down from 4.3% in 2021 and 6.2% in 2020, the first year of the COVID pandemic. Municipality unemployment rates in 2022 were:
- Pima: 2.9% (down from 3.5% in 2021 and 5.0% in 2020)
- Safford: 2.4% (down from 2.9% in 2021 and 4.3% in 2020)
- Thatcher: 3.6% (down from 4.2% in 2021 and 6.2% in 2020)
NONFARM PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT: The number of nonfarm jobs in Graham County was up by 300 in 2022, for job growth of 3.1% (based on average monthly job numbers). The private sector added 100 jobs (1.4%) while government gained 200 jobs (7.1%).
WAGES: The average annual wage in Graham County in 2022 was $50,539 ($24.30 hourly), which was 86.2% of the Arizona statewide average wage of $58,620 ($28.18 hourly) and 81.6% of the national average wage of $61,900 ($29.76 hourly). Graham County's average wage in 2022 was up 6.4% from 2021.
Unemployment trends (monthly)
Labor force participation
Unemployed population
Employment trends (monthly)
Job growth projections
Wages by occupation
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)
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: In May 2023, the median price of homes sold in Graham County was $254,950, according to National Association of Realtors. That was up 0.4% from May 2022. The median days on market in May was 55, up from 26 in May 2022. As of May 2023, there were 195 homes listed for sale in Graham County, down from 234 in December. (Data in this section updated twice annually; for the most recent monthly data, visit Graham County, AZ Real Estate Market)
NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION: In 2022, there were 128 building permits issued for new single-family homes in Graham County, down from 174 in 2021 and 177 in 2020.
Tourism
Visits and impact
In 2022, visits to Roper Lake State Park were down 37.3%. This was on the heels of an 11.2% drop in 2021 (after increasing 21.7% in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic).
According to research by Dean Runyan Associates for Arizona Office of Tourism, Graham County and neighboring Greenlee County's combined travel industry (including business and leisure travel) generated $93.8 million in direct spending in 2022, up 16.5% from 2021 (the year 2021 saw a 65.9% increase, rebounding from a 43.0% COVID-related drop in 2020, the first year of the pandemic). Travel-related direct spending in 2022 was at a record high (with records back to 1998, not adjusted for inflation). The Graham and Greenlee county travel industry supported 919 jobs in the region in 2022 (up 0.9% from the year prior) with household earnings of $19.4 million (up 5.8% from 2021), according to the study.
Graham & Greenlee County Travel Impacts
Travel spending in Graham & Greenlee County
Bank deposits & bankruptcy filings
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.
BANKRUPTCY FILINGS: In 2022, there were 26 bankruptcy filings in Graham County, up from 22 the year prior. Filings peaked at 62 in 2018 before falling steeply in 2019, 2020, and 2021, helped along by COVID programs, including mortgage relief and the eviction moratorium, in the latter two years.
A project of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG) in partnership with Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) and community sponsors
SAEDG is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation and an Arizona State Data Center Affiliate
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