Moving to Snowflake, Arizona

Snowflake, Arizona is located in the White Mountains of Navajo County in Arizona. It has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is around 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowflake was founded in 1878 by two Mormon pioneers, Erastus Snow and William Jordan Flake, who named it after themselves. It was incorporated as a city in 1960 and has grown to be the largest city in Navajo County.

Politically, Snowflake is part of the Republican Party and has been represented by Republicans since its incorporation as a city. The economy of Snowflake is primarily based on agriculture, with cattle ranching being the most common form of agriculture practiced here. There are also several small businesses located throughout the town that contribute to the local economy.

Snowflake also boasts an impressive educational system with several schools providing education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. These schools include a public elementary school, middle school and high school as well as two private academies and a community college campus.

When it comes to landmarks in Snowflake, there are many to choose from. The most prominent of these is the historic Flake Mansion which was built by Erastus Snow and William Jordan Flake in 1878 and still stands today as a reminder of their contribution to the town’s history. Other popular landmarks include The Old Mill which was built in 1880 for grinding wheat into flour, The Old Church which was built by Mormon pioneers in 1886, and The Old Schoolhouse which provided an education for children since 1892 until its closure in 1965 due to declining enrollment numbers.

Population: 4,460. Estimated population in July 2024: 4,958 (+11.2% change)
Males: 2,227 (49.9%), Females: 2,233 (50.1%)

Navajo County

Zip code: 85937

Demographics

Median resident age: 27.6 years
Median household income: $37,439
Median house value: $92,500

Population by Race

Races in Snowflake:

• White Non-Hispanic (83.2%)
• Hispanic (8.0%)
• American Indian (7.6%)
• Other race (3.0%)
• Two or more races (2.0%)

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

Ancestries: English (27.2%), German (11.7%), Irish (8.7%), United States (6.8%), Scottish (4.0%), Danish (3.8%).

Elevation: 5582 feet

Land area: 30.8 square miles

Population by Education

Snowflake, Arizona is a small rural town located in Navajo County in northern Arizona. The population of the town was estimated to be 5,595 as of 2020. The majority of the population is Caucasian, making up 79.1% of the population. Native Americans make up 13.2%, Hispanics make up 4.3%, and African-Americans make up 1%. The median age is 33 years old and the median household income is $44,937. Snowflake has a high school graduation rate of 81.6%.

The majority of Snowflake’s working-age population are employed in manufacturing, retail trade and health care services industries with an unemployment rate of 7%. Agriculture also plays an important role in the community with many residents engaged in farming and ranching activities such as raising livestock or growing crops for sale or personal consumption. Additionally, many residents are employed by local businesses that offer goods and services to the community such as restaurants, banks and stores.

The cost of living in Snowflake is relatively low with housing costs below the national average which makes it a great place for those looking for affordable housing options or those who want to enjoy a slower pace of life away from large cities. Snowflake offers many outdoor activities such as hiking trails and fishing spots which attract tourists throughout the year as well as locals looking to take advantage of all that nature has to offer. With its small-town charm, friendly people and numerous amenities, Snowflake remains an attractive destination for those seeking a unique experience away from hustle and bustle of larger cities.

For population 25 years and over in Snowflake

• High school or higher: 82.3%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.0%
• Graduate or professional degree: 8.2%
• Unemployed: 7.7%
• Mean travel time to work: 19.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Snowflake town

• Never married: 22.7%
• Now married: 63.3%
• Separated: 1.7%
• Widowed: 6.2%
• Divorced: 6.1%

2.9% Foreign born (2.2% Latin America, 0.3% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +709 (+18.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Snowflake:

• NAVAPACHE HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; SHOW LOW, AZ)
• WINSLOW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 60 miles; WINSLOW, AZ)
• WHITE MOUNTAIN COMMUNTIES HOSPITAL (about 67 miles; SPRINGERVILLE, AZ)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Snowflake:

• FLAGSTAFF PULLIAM (about 118 miles; FLAGSTAFF, AZ; Abbreviation: FLG)
• WILLIAMS GATEWAY (about 137 miles; PHOENIX, AZ; Abbreviation: IWA)
• PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL (about 152 miles; PHOENIX, AZ; Abbreviation: PHX)

Other public-use airports nearest to Snowflake:

• TAYLOR (about 5 miles; TAYLOR, AZ; Abbreviation: TYL)
• SHOW LOW MUNI (about 19 miles; SHOW LOW, AZ; Abbreviation: SOW)
• HOLBROOK MUNI (about 30 miles; HOLBROOK, AZ; Abbreviation: P14)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Snowflake:

• NORTHLAND PIONEER COLLEGE (about 30 miles; HOLBROOK, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,177)
• EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE (about 119 miles; THATCHER, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 3,085)
• SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 140 miles; SCOTTSDALE, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 5,345)
• CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE (about 146 miles; COOLIDGE, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,333)
• CHANDLER/GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 147 miles; CHANDLER, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,990)
• PARADISE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 147 miles; PHOENIX, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 3,410)
• MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 147 miles; MESA, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 11,928)

Schools

Public high schools in Snowflake:

• SNOWFLAKE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 772; Location: 220 S. 2ND W.; Grades: 09 – 12)
• NAVIT COURSES (Students: 353; Location: 1611 S. MAIN ST.; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Snowflake:

• SNOWFLAKE HIGH SCHOOL – SATELLITE CAMPUS (Students: 531; Location: 220 SOUTH 2ND WEST; Grades: 06 – 12)
• HIGHLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL (Students: 423; Location: 682 SCHOOL BUS LANE; Grades: KG – 03)
• SNOWFLAKE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 419; Location: 1380 SOUTH MAIN; Grades: 07 – 08)
• TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 348; Location: 682 SCHOOL BUS LANE; Grades: PK – 03)
• SNOWFLAKE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (Students: 309; Location: 62 WEST 2ND SOUTH; Grades: 04 – 06)
• SPECIAL SERVICES (Location: 682 SCHOOL BUS LANE; Grades: PK – PK)