RANK #767 / 996 · POP 125,504 · AZ
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%
Cochise County, in Arizona's southeastern corner, is often first recognized for its historic towns like Tombstone, famous for its Old West legacy, or Bisbee, an old mining town now known for its arts community. Located about an hour southeast of Tucson, the county offers a different pace of life with a commute time averaging around 20 minutes. The area is characterized by "sky island" mountain ranges rising from the desert, providing a cooler climate than other parts of Arizona. This diverse landscape supports extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking and rock climbing in areas like Cochise Stronghold and the Chiricahua Mountains, and world-class birdwatching, particularly in places like Ramsey Canyon Preserve and the San Pedro River National Conservation Area.
Life in Cochise County is often described as peaceful and quiet, appealing to families, retirees, and those seeking a less crowded environment. The economy is diverse, with Fort Huachuca serving as a major employer. Agriculture, particularly in the Sulphur Springs Valley and Willcox, also plays a role, with the county being a significant wine-producing region. Douglas, on the U.S.-Mexico border, has developed a manufacturing base. Recent economic developments include investments in energy sectors, contributing to the county's evolving economic landscape. The county also offers various public and private K-12 school districts and higher education options through Cochise College and a University of Arizona campus in Sierra Vista.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below national median
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Desert Vine Wind Project
Repsol Renewables North America
|
$380M | Proposed |
|
Apache Solar II Project and Roadrunner Project (Solar & Battery Storage)
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) / Clēnera LLC
|
$294M | Planned |
|
BrightNight Three Sisters Solar and Battery Storage Project
BrightNight
|
$259M | Proposed |
|
Winchester Solar and Battery Storage Facility
Torch Clean Energy / Tucson Electric Power (TEP)
|
$160M | Planned |
|
Babacomari Solar Project
Cleanview (developer not specified, TEP offtake)
|
$160M | Planned |
|
Herbie Solar & Storage Project
Korsail Energy
|
$120M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cochise County has a Boom Town Index score of 23/100, ranking #767 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $58,421, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cochise County is $183,000 with median rent at $893/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3192, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed +1.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.24% of Cochise County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.