Greenlee County economic data, statistics & information

Greenlee  County's population as of Census 2020 was 9,563, up 13.3% from 2010. Since 2010, Greenlee County has experienced the second-fastest population growth of Arizona's 15 counties (behind Maricopa County). Greenlee County's population is projected to reach 11,027 in 2025 and 12,386 in 2055, according to pre-Census 2020 projections by Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

UNEMPLOYMENT: Greenlee County's unemployment rate in 2021 was 4.0% (down from 5.2% in 2020, the first year of the COVID pandemic). At the peak of COVID business closures, the unemployment rate in Greenlee County hit a high of 7.1% in July 2020. Greenlee County’s unemployment rate of 4.0% in 2021 was lower than the statewide rate of 4.9% and the nationwide rate of 5.3%.

NONFARM PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT: Greenlee County gained 50 jobs in 2021 for annual job growth of 1.0%. The private sector added 25 jobs (0.6%) and the government sector added 25 jobs (4.8%). In the private sector, goods-producing jobs were down by 25 (-0.7%) while service jobs grew by 50 (5.9%).

Note: Labor force, employment, unemployment, and jobs data on this page are updated annually. For the most recent monthly labor market data, visit Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

PERSONAL INCOME: In 2020, Greenlee County had a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $44,050. This PCPI ranked 7th in the state and was 89% of the state average, $49,648, and 74% of the national average, $59,510. The 2020 PCPI reflected an increase of 7.2% from 2019. The 2019-2020 state change was 8.4% and the national change was 6.2%. In 2010, the PCPI of Greenlee County was $30,297 and ranked 6th in the state. The 2010-2020 compound annual growth rate of PCPI was 3.8%. The compound annual growth rate for the state was 3.9% and for the nation was 3.9%. 

WAGES: The average annual wage in Greenlee County in 2021 was $55,208 ($26.54 hourly), which was more than 100% of the Arizona statewide average wage of $55,170 ($26.53 hourly) and 95% of the national average wage of $58,260 ($28.01 hourly).

 MAJOR INDUSTRY SALES: In 2021, Greenlee County's retail sales were up 23.0%, following a decline of 21.5% in 2020. Restaurant & bar sales were up 9.0% in 2021, after falling 17.5% the year prior. Hotel/motel receipts in Graham and Greenlee counties combined were up 18.9 in 2021, following a COVID-related decline of 25.1% in 2020.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: In 2020, Greenlee County produced $1,471,514 in current-dollar total GDP*. This GDP ranked 13th in the state and accounted for 0.4% of the state total. In 2010, the total GDP of Greenlee County was $1,472,866 and ranked 12th in the state. In 2020, Greenlee County real GDP fell 4.8%; the 2019-2020 state change was -1.0%. The 2010-2020 compound annual growth rate for Greenlee County real GDP was -0.6%; the compound annual growth rate for the state was 2.1%.

*GDP estimates are in thousands of dollars.

In 2021, bank deposits in Greenlee County (as of June 30) were up 14.7% from 2020 - the third consecutive year of strong, double-digit growth. Deposits in 2020 and 2021 were helped along by COVID stimulus payments.