🔥 Trending Pima County: An Overview

Pima County is a significant administrative division located in the south-central part of Arizona, a state in the United States ³. It is one of the four original counties in Arizona, established by the 1st Arizona Territorial Legislature following the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico in 1853 ¹.

Key Characteristics of Pima County

Geographic Location and Size

Pima County is situated in the southern part of Arizona. It covers a substantial area of approximately 9,200 square miles ⁶⁹.

Population and Major Cities

It is the second most populous county in Arizona ⁶⁹. The county's population is largely concentrated around its major urban center.

• Tucson: Tucson is the county seat of Pima County and the second-largest city in Arizona ²⁶⁹. More than 95% of the county's 1.1 million residents live in the Tucson metropolitan area ⁶. Tucson is also notable as one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the United States ⁹¹⁰.

Historical Significance

Pima County has a rich history, being one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in the United States ⁶⁹¹⁰. Its formation in 1853 was a direct result of land acquired through the Gadsden Purchase ¹. The original county encompassed all of Arizona Territory east of longitude 113° 20' and south of the Gila River ¹.

Economic and Social Aspects

The county faces various social and economic considerations. For example, in 2014, Pima County addressed challenges related to its adult detention center nearing capacity, prompting discussions on reducing the jail population rather than building a new facility ⁷.

In summary, Pima County is a large, historically significant, and populous county in Arizona, with Tucson serving as its primary urban and administrative hub.