Tusayan, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Tusayan is a town in Coconino County, Arizona
, United States. Prior to its incorporation in 2010, it was a census-designated place
(CDP). A resort town
near the south entrance to Grand Canyon National Park
, Tusayan is served by Grand Canyon National Park Airport
. The population was 562 at the 2000 Census.
As an incorporated town, Tusayan has a land area of only 144 acres (58.3 ha), or 0.225 square mile (0.58274732475 km²), making it the smallest town in Arizona by area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP in 2000 had a total area of 28.6 square miles (74.1 km²), of which, 28.6 square miles (74.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04% is water.
, 15.84% Native American
, 1.07% Black
or African American
, 11.57% from other races
, and 2.31% from two or more races. 30.25% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 222 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.1% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 25.4% under the age of 18, 15.5% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 2.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 128.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,917, and the median income for a family was $45,625. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $16,637. About 14.9% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
. The town's businesses mainly serve tourists visiting the park.
Grand Canyon Airlines
and Air Grand Canyon
are headquartered on the grounds of Grand Canyon National Park Airport
in Tusayan.
is in Tusayan.
Arizona State Highway 64, coming from Williams and U. S. Highway 180, coming from Flagstaff serve Tusayan. The same two lane road through town, they split south of town at Valle.
Another vote, held on March 9, 2010, proved more successful when the measure was approved by a margin of 116 to 71, making Tusayan the 91st incorporated place in the state of Arizona. An interim town council appointed by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors held the town's first council meeting on April 7. Opposition to the town's incorporation have filed a lawsuit to overturn the election as fradulent, with opening arguments in the case being scheduled for April 14.
Coconino County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*61.7% White*1.2% Black*27.3% Native American*1.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*5.2% Other races*13.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, United States. Prior to its incorporation in 2010, it was a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP). A resort town
Resort town
A resort town, sometimes called a resort city or resort destination, is a town or area where tourism or vacationing is a primary component of the local culture and economy...
near the south entrance to Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
, Tusayan is served by Grand Canyon National Park Airport
Grand Canyon National Park Airport
Grand Canyon National Park Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located in Tusayan, a CDP in unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona, United States. It is near Grand Canyon National Park, seven miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon...
. The population was 562 at the 2000 Census.
Geography
Tusayan is located at 35°58′32"N 112°7′45"W (35.975674, -112.129046).As an incorporated town, Tusayan has a land area of only 144 acres (58.3 ha), or 0.225 square mile (0.58274732475 km²), making it the smallest town in Arizona by area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP in 2000 had a total area of 28.6 square miles (74.1 km²), of which, 28.6 square miles (74.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04% is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 562 people, 222 households, and 101 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 19.7 people per square mile (7.6/km²). There were 313 housing units at an average density of 11.0 per square mile (4.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 69.22% WhiteRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 15.84% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.07% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 11.57% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.31% from two or more races. 30.25% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 222 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.1% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 25.4% under the age of 18, 15.5% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 2.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 128.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,917, and the median income for a family was $45,625. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $16,637. About 14.9% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Tusayan is approximately two miles from the south entrance to Grand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
. The town's businesses mainly serve tourists visiting the park.
Grand Canyon Airlines
Grand Canyon Airlines
Grand Canyon Airlines is an FAR Part 135 airline headquartered on the grounds of Grand Canyon National Park Airport in the Tusayan census-designated place in unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona, United States. It operates sightseeing tours over the Grand Canyon...
and Air Grand Canyon
Air Grand Canyon
Air Grand Canyon is an airline headquartered on the grounds of Grand Canyon National Park Airport in the Tusayan census-designated place in unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona, United States. Air Grand Canyon an air tour company flying tourists on sight-seeing flights around the Grand Canyon...
are headquartered on the grounds of Grand Canyon National Park Airport
Grand Canyon National Park Airport
Grand Canyon National Park Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located in Tusayan, a CDP in unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona, United States. It is near Grand Canyon National Park, seven miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon...
in Tusayan.
Transportation
Grand Canyon National Park AirportGrand Canyon National Park Airport
Grand Canyon National Park Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located in Tusayan, a CDP in unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona, United States. It is near Grand Canyon National Park, seven miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon...
is in Tusayan.
Arizona State Highway 64, coming from Williams and U. S. Highway 180, coming from Flagstaff serve Tusayan. The same two lane road through town, they split south of town at Valle.
Incorporation
The community first explored incorporation in the early 1990s. Legislation passed to allow it, but was challenged and defeated as unconstitutional because it applied only to Tusayan. In 2003, new legislation was passed allowing any community of 500 or more to incorporate if located in proximity to a national park or monument. The Tusayan-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce appointed a task force of community leaders who studied the issue for four years. In June 2007, they made a neutral presentation to the community, offering revenue projections and an overview of pros and cons. In April 2008, about 30 voters signed a petition to put the question of incorporation on the September 2, 2008, ballot. The measure was defeated by a vote of 78 to 62.Another vote, held on March 9, 2010, proved more successful when the measure was approved by a margin of 116 to 71, making Tusayan the 91st incorporated place in the state of Arizona. An interim town council appointed by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors held the town's first council meeting on April 7. Opposition to the town's incorporation have filed a lawsuit to overturn the election as fradulent, with opening arguments in the case being scheduled for April 14.