The seat of Coconino County, Flagstaff was chosen the 2nd best place to live by Men's Journal in 2005. A small city, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 57,391 people were living in Flagstaff in 2005. The population has steadily risen, up an estimated 8.5% since the 2000 census. In all, over 122,000 people reside in the metropolitan area. National Geographic calls Flagstaff one of "10 Great Towns That Will Make You Feel Young." That’s probably why the average age is 26.8 years. But more so, because it is considered a college town. Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University and Coconino County Community College. Only 5.3% of the population is 65 or older. The racial makeup of the city is 69.5% white non-Hispanic, 16% Hispanic or Latino, and 10% Native American.
If you are relocating to Flagstaff, economic conditions and secondary education are favorable. Still an affordable area to live, new home prices have been on the rise. Census statistics in 2000 put the median house value at $161,000. However, in 2005 the average home start was $200,000. That’s $73,000 higher than the dwellings put up by homebuilders in 2002. Affordable also are the accommodations for off-campus college students who can split rent that on average cost $691 per month.
Flagstaff’s roots are in the flourishing railroad industry of the late 1800s. With the arrival of Route 66 in the 1920s, the city became a popular tourist stop. Today, Route 66 is an historic highway and popular tourist attraction with many hotel and restaurant chains mixed with the city’s nostalgic charm. Just 75 miles away from Grand Canyon National Park, the city also thrives on travel and tourism. Most notably, though, is the Lowell Observatory, famous for the discovery of Pluto in 1930. Because of the city’s altitude and clear skies astronomers from around the world have been drawn to the area since before the turn of the century.
If you are relocating to Flagstaff, you will find some uncommon weather for an Arizona community. Flagstaff is at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. The highest in the state at 12,633 feet is Mount Humphreys, just 10 miles to the north. Diverse ecosystems surround with plateaus, junipers, barren tundra and the world’s largest Ponderosa pine forest. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is considered a high altitude desert. However, residents do enjoy mild weather conditions and clear air for the most part. Summer temperatures are often 20 degrees below that of Phoenix. The monsoon season of late summer brings a few intense, afternoon rain showers and thunderstorms. The winter weather brings an average annual snowfall of 108.8 inches, good for business at the local ski resort. A popular weekend getaway, Flagstaff welcomes visitors from neighboring Arizona communities and beyond.
Flagstaff is connected to Los Angeles and Albuquerque, NM by Amtrak. Air travel is available through Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, a small general aviation airport with one runway. Fliers can connect with flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Scottsdale and Phoenix are roughly two hours drive time from Flagstaff.
Lou Ross is with MovingCompaniesforYou.com - a directory of moving companies along with helpful advice on moving issues.
