Tuba City, Arizona

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"Tuba City" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Tuba, Benguet.
Tuba City, Arizona
Tó Naneesdizí
Unincorporated town CDP
Tuba Trading Post built in 1905
Tuba Trading Post built in 1905
Location in Coconino County and the state of Arizona
Location in Coconino County and the state of Arizona
Tuba City is located in Arizona
Tuba City
Tuba City
Location in Arizona#Location in the United States
Coordinates: 36°08′06″N 111°14′24″W / 36.13500°N 111.24000°W / 36.13500; -111.24000Coordinates: 36°08′06″N 111°14′24″W / 36.13500°N 111.24000°W / 36.13500; -111.24000
Country United States
State Arizona
CountyCoconino
Government
 • TypeNavajo chapter
 • Chapter presidentGerald Keetso
Area
[3]
 • Total8.97 sq mi (23.24 km2)
 • Land8.97 sq mi (23.24 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[1]
4,961 ft (1,512 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,611
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
N/A
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
86045
Area code928
FIPS code04-76010
GNIS feature ID12802[1]

Tuba City (Navajo: Tó Naneesdizí) is an unincorporated town in Coconino County, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, United States. It is the second-largest community in Coconino County. The population of the census-designated place (CDP) was 8,611 at the 2010 census.[4]

It is the most populous community within the Navajo Nation, slightly larger than Shiprock, New Mexico, and the site of the headquarters of the Western Navajo Agency. The Hopi village of Moenkopi lies directly to its southeast, and Hopi also live in the city.

European Americans named the town in honor of chief Tuuvi, a Hopi man from Oraibi who converted to Mormonism (religion of Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)) and allowed Mormon migrants to settle in the area. The Navajo name for this community, Tó Naneesdizí, translates as "tangled waters". It likely refers to the many below-ground springs that are the source of several reservoirs.

Tuba City is located within the Painted Desert near the western edge of the Navajo Nation. The town is served by U.S. Route 160, near the junction with Arizona State Route 264. Tuba City is located approximately 50 miles (80 km) from the eastern entrance to Grand Canyon National Park and approximately 78 miles (126 km) from Flagstaff. Most of Tuba City's residents are Navajo, with a small Hopi minority. It is located within Arizona's 1st congressional district, currently represented by Tom O'Halleran.[5]

History[]

Tuba City cornfield, 1941. Photo by Ansel Adams

The Tuba City area was the territory of indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The community was first documented by Spanish explorers: Father Francisco Garcés visited the area in 1776, and recorded that the Hopi Indians were cultivating crops.[6]

European-American migrants came as part of the Mormon movement to the West in the late 19th century. They named the town after Tuuvi, a Hopi man who converted to Mormonism circa 1870. He had invited the Mormons to settle near his village of Moenkopi without requiring them to gain individual permission. The Tuba City Trading Post was established in 1870, dealing with the Navajo and Paiute who came to the area for the natural springs, as well as the Hopi already in the area. European-American migrants affiliated with the Mormon church claimed to found Tuba City in 1872.

In 1956, uranium began to be mined near Tuba City. The regional office for the was established here, which founded a mill for processing. [7] The Atomic Energy Commission had an office here as well.[8] The mill closed in 1966. Reclamation of the millsite and tailings pile was completed in 1990 because the tailings had high radioactive content and were environmentally hazardous waste products had to be cleared.[9]

It is served by the Tuba City Airport.[10]

The Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation hospital is located in Tuba City. It is a non-profit, Native American-run health care corporation that employs 1,200 people. The next nearest hospital is in Flagstaff.[11]

Geography and climate[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23 km2), all land. [12]

Geologically, Tuba City is sited about the Glen Canyon Group from the early Jurassic (about 180–210 Ma) and on modern superficial Quaternary deposits.[13]

it is located within the Painted Desert near the western edge of the Navajo Nation. The town is served by U.S. Route 160, near the junction with Arizona State Route 264. Tuba City is located approximately 50 miles (80 km) from the eastern entrance to Grand Canyon National Park and approximately 78 miles (126 km) from Flagstaff.

Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, but the Navajo Nation does within its boundaries. In practice elements of Tuba City vary in practices: tribal offices and schools observe DST, while most private businesses conform to state practice and do not.

Tuba City is located in the rain shadow of the Mogollon Rim, which keeps out moisture from the Gulf of California. It has a cold desert climate (Köppen BWk) with hot, dry summers – though less hot than Phoenix – and cold, dry winters. Frosts are normal from October to April. The majority of winters do not have measurable snowfall due to the dryness of the air descending from mountains to the south.

hideClimate data for Tuba City, Arizona (1971 to 2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 76
(24) 		76
(24) 		84
(29) 		94
(34) 		100
(38) 		110
(43) 		110
(43) 		108
(42) 		103
(39) 		92
(33) 		80
(27) 		71
(22) 		110
(43)
Average high °F (°C) 45.4
(7.4) 		53.0
(11.7) 		60.1
(15.6) 		68.3
(20.2) 		77.7
(25.4) 		88.8
(31.6) 		93.4
(34.1) 		90.7
(32.6) 		83.4
(28.6) 		71.9
(22.2) 		56.3
(13.5) 		46.0
(7.8) 		69.6
(20.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 33.8
(1.0) 		39.7
(4.3) 		46.2
(7.9) 		53.2
(11.8) 		62.5
(16.9) 		72.2
(22.3) 		78.0
(25.6) 		75.8
(24.3) 		68.2
(20.1) 		56.4
(13.6) 		43.2
(6.2) 		33.8
(1.0) 		55.3
(12.9)
Average low °F (°C) 22.2
(−5.4) 		26.4
(−3.1) 		32.2
(0.1) 		38.0
(3.3) 		47.2
(8.4) 		55.5
(13.1) 		62.5
(16.9) 		60.9
(16.1) 		53.0
(11.7) 		40.8
(4.9) 		30.0
(−1.1) 		21.5
(−5.8) 		40.9
(4.9)
Record low °F (°C) −15
(−26) 		−9
(−23) 		5
(−15) 		13
(−11) 		10
(−12) 		30
(−1) 		34
(1) 		40
(4) 		20
(−7) 		11
(−12) 		−4
(−20) 		−13
(−25) 		−15
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.55
(14) 		0.52
(13) 		0.59
(15) 		0.27
(6.9) 		0.32
(8.1) 		0.17
(4.3) 		0.66
(17) 		0.69
(18) 		0.98
(25) 		0.85
(22) 		0.43
(11) 		0.32
(8.1) 		6.35
(162.4)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.8
(2.0) 		0.8
(2.0) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.9
(2.3) 		2.6
(6.55)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) 4.2 3.6 5.3 2.3 3.2 2.3 6.3 6.8 4.7 4.1 3.1 3.6 49.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 inch) 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1
Source: [14]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19907,323—
20008,22512.3%
20108,6114.7%
20208,6620.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[15][16]
hideLanguages (2000) [17] Percent
Spoke Navajo at home 61.2%
Spoke English at home 38.5%
Spoke Hopi at home 0.5%
Spoke Spanish at home 0.8%

As of the census[18] of 2015, there were 9,722 people, 2,360 households, and 1,675 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 921.6 people per square mile (356.0/km2). There were 2,465 housing units at an average density of 274.0 per square mile (105.8/km2). The racial make-up of the CDP was 76.2% Native American, 8.4% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.8% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 14.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,360 households, out of which 52.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 26.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.00 and the average family size was 4.49.

In the CDP, the age distribution of the population shows 42.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

Tuba City's median household income is $47,091, and the median income for a family was $37,813. Males had a median income of $29,280 versus $26,855 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,140. About 23.1% of families and 28.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 44.8% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions[]

The following attractions and infrastructure are located in Tuba City:

  • The Explore Navajo Interactive Museum, opened in 2007, is located next to the historic Tuba City Trading Post.[19]
  • Ancient dinosaur tracks have been found and are preserved about 5 miles (8 km) west of the town.
  • , a colorful canyon with many hoodoos, is 15 miles (24 km) southeast.
  • , near Coal Mine Canyon, is noteworthy for blue colors most visible at sunrise and sunset.
  • The Hopi have expanded tourist offerings: their Tuuvi Travel Center opened in 2008, a complex that cost $6.3 million. In 2010 they opened a motel, which cost $13 million. In 2011 a Denny's franchise restaurant opened across US Highway 160. The Hopi Nation plan a $100 million "Gateway to Hopiland" nearby.[8]
Nearby attractions

  • Tuba City Chapter House of the Navajo Nation.

  • Dinosaur track in Tuba City

  • Coal Mine Canyon at sunset

  • Moonrise at Coal Mine Canyon

Education[]

The area is served by the Tuba City Unified School District, as well as several tribal/federal schools within the area.

Schools in Tuba City include:

  • Tuba City High School
  • Tuba City Jr. High School
  • Eagles' Nest Intermediate School
  • Tuba City Primary School
  • Nizhoni Accelerated Academy

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools include:

Moencopi Day School (tribal) is in nearby Moenkopi.[20]

Tertiary institutions include:

Sports[]

On January 4, 1988, Northern Arizona beat Central Connecticut 72–70 in Tuba City in the first Division I basketball game ever played on an Indian reservation.

Notable people[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tuba City, Arizona
  2. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Census.gov. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. ^ "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 18, 2017.
  4. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Tuba City CDP, Arizona". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  5. ^ "Congressman Tom O´Halleran". Congressman Tom O´Halleran. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Arizona Relocation Guide". Arizonan.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Tuba City Mill". Eia.doe.gov. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Amy Maestas, "Tuba City, Arizona" Archived 2008-08-28 at the Wayback Machine, Inside Outside Southwest Archived 2013-01-27 at archive.today, July 2008,
  9. ^ "The Center for Land Use Interpretation". Clui.org. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  10. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for T03 PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 25 August 2011.
  11. ^ "About Us". Tuba City Health. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  12. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. ^ "The Arizona Geological Survey – Geologic Map of Arizona (1:1,000,000 scale)". 16 October 2009. Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  14. ^ "Tuba City, AZ" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 27, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  16. ^ "Tuba City CDP". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  17. ^ "Data Center Results". apps.mla.org. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  19. ^ "Museum". Explore Navajo Attractions.
  20. ^ "Directions". Moencopi Day School. Retrieved 2021-07-30. Moencopi Day School Inc 322 AZ-264, Tuba City, AZ 86045 - Compare with the US Census Bureau Map of Moenkopi
  21. ^ "Tuba City". Diné College. Retrieved 2021-07-30. 600 Edgewater Dr. [...] Tuba City, AZ 85045
  22. ^ "Mary Morez – Artist, Fine Art Prices, Auction Records for Mary Morez". Askart.com. Retrieved 28 January 2017.

External links[]

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