Moving to Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone, Arizona is a small town located in Cochise County. The population of Tombstone was 1,380 as of the 2010 census. It is mostly surrounded by desert and mountains, with a few areas of grassland. The climate of Tombstone is semi-arid and hot, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months.

Tombstone’s history dates back to 1877 when Ed Schieffelin discovered silver in the area. This discovery sparked a silver rush and Tombstone quickly became one of the largest cities in Arizona. During this time, it was known as “the town too tough to die”. It was also home to famous figures such as Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Big Nose Kate.

The politics in Tombstone are currently dominated by conservative Republicans who are strongly pro-gun rights and anti-immigration reform. The economy of Tombstone is largely dependent on tourism due to its rich history and well-preserved buildings from the 19th century. The town also has several businesses that cater to tourists such as souvenir shops and restaurants.

The schools in Tombstone are part of the Cochise County Unified School District (CCUSD). There are two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school located within the district boundaries. All schools have achieved high ratings from GreatSchools for their academic performance over the years.

Finally, there are several notable landmarks located within or near Tombstone that attract visitors from all over the world each year. Some of these include Boot Hill Cemetery, Big Nose Kate’s Saloon & Opera House, O K Corral Gunfight Site, Bird Cage Theatre Museum & Saloon Complex, and Schieffelin Hall Theater Museum & Saloon Complex among many others. These attractions provide an insight into what life was like during 19th century Arizona while providing entertainment for visitors at the same time.

Population: 1,504. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,569 (+4.3% change)
Males: 730 (48.5%), Females: 774 (51.5%)

Cochise County

Zip code: 85638

Demographics

Median resident age: 48.7 years
Median household income: $26,571
Median house value: $82,000

Population by Race

Races in Tombstone:

• White Non-Hispanic (72.5%)
• Hispanic (24.1%)
• Other race (8.2%)
• Two or more races (2.5%)
• American Indian (2.1%)
• Black (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: English (15.5%), German (15.4%), Irish (12.9%), United States (6.9%), Scotch-Irish (3.7%), French (2.8%).

Land area: 4.3 square miles

Population by Education

Tombstone, Arizona is a small town located in Cochise County, in the southeastern corner of the state. The population of Tombstone was 1,569 as of the 2020 United States Census. This town is known for its rich history and its Wild West past, with many buildings and sites dating back to the 1880s when it was an important silver-mining center. The population is predominantly white, comprising nearly 87% of residents. The next largest racial group is Hispanic or Latino at nearly 11%. African-Americans make up 0.6% and Native Americans make up 0.2%. The median household income in Tombstone is $36,817 with a poverty rate of 14%, slightly higher than the national average. Education levels are also lower than the national average with only 15% of adults having completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite this, Tombstone still has a thriving economy due to tourism and retail businesses catering to visitors from all over the world who come to experience its unique past. In addition to these businesses there are also many service providers such as medical offices and law firms that help keep the town running smoothly for its residents.

For population 25 years and over in Tombstone

• High school or higher: 77.1%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.7%
• Graduate or professional degree: 5.0%
• Unemployed: 4.3%
• Mean travel time to work: 23.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Tombstone city

• Never married: 17.7%
• Now married: 55.1%
• Separated: 1.7%
• Widowed: 9.9%
• Divorced: 15.7%

4.4% Foreign born (1.9% Latin America, 1.3% Europe, 0.7% North America).

Population change in the 1990s: +461 (+44.2%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Tombstone:

• SIERRA VISTA REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER (about 17 miles; SIERRA VISTA, AZ)
• COPPER QUEEN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 25 miles; BISBEE, AZ)
• BENSON HOSPITAL (about 27 miles; BENSON, AZ)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Tombstone:

• SIERRA VISTA MUNI-LIBBY AAF (about 21 miles; FORT HUACHUCA SIERRA VISTA, AZ; Abbreviation: FHU)
• DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB (about 63 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Abbreviation: DMA)
• TUCSON INTL (about 66 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Abbreviation: TUS)

Other public-use airports nearest to Tombstone:

• TOMBSTONE MUNI (about 5 miles; TOMBSTONE, AZ; Abbreviation: P29)
• BENSON MUNICIPAL (about 27 miles; BENSON, AZ; Abbreviation: E95)
• BISBEE MUNI (about 29 miles; BISBEE, AZ; Abbreviation: P04)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Tombstone:

• COCHISE COLLEGE (about 43 miles; DOUGLAS, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,585)
• PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 67 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 14,177)
• UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (about 71 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 29,915)
• EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE (about 79 miles; THATCHER, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 3,085)
• CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE (about 133 miles; COOLIDGE, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,333)
• CHANDLER/GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 165 miles; CHANDLER, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,990)
• MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 170 miles; MESA, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 11,928)

Schools

Public high school in Tombstone:

• TOMBSTONE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 353; Location: 605 FREMONT STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Tombstone:

• WALTER J MEYER SCHOOL (Students: 188; Location: 411 NORTH 9TH STREET; Grades: PK – 08)