Community Profile for
Quartzsite
Quartzsite is west of Phoenix at the junction of
Interstate 10 and U.S. 95, near the Colorado River. The
community has a Mohave Desert setting. The nearby
Kofa, New Water and Plomosa Mountains provide
topographic relief while the Colorado River lies only 17
miles to the west. Quartzsite was established in 1867 on
the site of old Fort Tyson, a privately built structure
constructed in 1856 by Charles Tyson for protection
against Indian raids. Named Quartzite because quartz
was occasionally found in the area, the name evolved to
Quartzsite through an error in spelling.
Principal Economic Activities
Tourism is the major contributor to
Quartzsite’seconomy. The retail trade and services
sectors benefitfrom the visitors who reside at the
numerous (more than56) mobile home and trailer parks
in the vicinity between October and March. Five major
gem,mineral, and 19 general swap-meeting shows
arepopular tourist attractions, attracting approximately
1.5 million people annually. A Super 8 motel opened in
2001.
Scenic Attractions
A rock hunter's paradise surrounds Quartzsite with agates, limonite cubes, gold, and quartz being just a few.
In town, the Hi Jolly Monument honors the Arab camel driver, Hadji Ali, who took part in an unsuccessful
1850s U.S. War Department attempt to use camels as beasts of burden in the desert. To the south rise the
Kofa Mountains. Historic and scenic areas include the Spanish Wall, Crystal Hill, Tyson Tanks, and Tyson
Wells Museum. South in the Kofa Mountains is Palm Canyon, a tight gorge and home of Arizona's only
native palms, reached by a steep but rewarding climb. Farther south is Castle Dome Peak. There are many
points of interest including historical sites, day trips and many off-road ATV trails.
Community Facilities
Quartzsite offers a broad range of community facilities including an 80-acre town park. Celia's Rainbow
Botanical Gardens, a senior citizens' hall, recreation centers, a public library, historical museum, one ninehole and 18-hole primitive desert golf areas. The Quartzsite sewer and water system is being upgraded on
an on-going basis.
Copyright © 2017 Arizona Commerce Authority | Last Updated 8/26/2015
333 North Central Ave., Suite 1900 | Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 602-845-1200 | [email protected] | www.azcommerce.com
Community Profile for
Quartzsite, Arizona
BASIC INFORMATION
Founded:
Elevation:
1867
870 ft.
LABOR FORCE
Incorporated:
Location:
Distance to major cities:
Phoenix:
125 miles
Tucson:
296 miles
Las Vegas:
215 miles
1989
La Paz County
San Diego:
Los Angeles:
238 miles
245 miles
POPULATION
1990
1,875
13,900
3,680,800
Quartzsite
La Paz County
State of Arizona
2000
3,354
19,715
5,130,632
2014 (est.)
3,801
21,205
6,667,241
Arizona Dept. of Administration - azstats.gov
Civilian Labor Force
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
1990
679
37
5.4%
2000
698
36
5.2%
Arizona Dept. of Administration - azstats.gov
WORKFORCE EDUCATION ATTAINMENT
Less than high school
High school or equivalent, no college
Some college or Associate degree
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree
Count
476
1,310
1,437
168
Share
14.0%
38.6%
42.4%
5.0%
Census Bureau - Fact Finder
INDUSTRY (RANKED BY EMPLOYMENT)
PROPERTY TAX
Elementary / High School
City / Fire District
La Paz County
Totals (La Paz County)
2014
1,059
158
14.9%
1990
3.84
2.28
5.24
11.36
2000
5.72
2.50
4.96
13.18
2014
3.88
2.72
5.28
11.88
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
SALES TAX / TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX
Quartzsite
La Paz County
State
2.50%
2.00%
5.60%
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services
Education, health care & social assistance
Public administration
Retail trade
Finance, insurance & real estate
Wholesale trade
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining
Construction
Information
Manufacturing
Other services, except public administration
Professional, scientific, & administrative services
Transportation, warehousing, & utilities
Count
164
156
156
144
120
65
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
Share
20.2%
19.2%
19.2%
17.8%
14.8%
8.0%
0.7%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
Census Bureau - Fact Finder
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact:
Town of Quartzsite
P.O. Box 2812
Quartzsite, AZ 85346
Phone: 928-927-4333
Website: ci.quartzsite.az.us
La Paz County Economic Development
1217 California Ave.
Parker, AZ 85344
Phone: 928-669-8272
Website: www.lapazedc.com
Arizona Commerce Authority
Statewide Economic Development Group
333 N. Central Ave., Suite 1900
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-845-1200
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.azcommerce.com
Copyright © 2017 Arizona Commerce Authority | Last Updated 8/26/2015
333 North Central Ave., Suite 1900 | Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 602-845-1200 | [email protected] | www.azcommerce.com