Community Profile for
Bisbee
Bisbee is the picturesque county seat of historic
Cochise County. This Old West mining camp was one
of the world’s richest mineral sites, producing nearly 3
million ounces of gold and more than 8 billion pounds of
copper throughout its lifetime. By the early 1900s,
Bisbee’s 20,000 population made it one of the most
cultured cities between St. Louis and San Francisco.
Despite its culture, the mining camp’s rough edges
showed in notorious Brewery Gulch with its saloons.
Those activities slowed as the mines played out, the
population shrank, and prohibition was enforced. Bisbee
today is an artist and retirement community known for
special events such as concerts, live theater, art shows,
and historic home tours.
Principal Economic Activities
Bisbee’s diverse economy includes government, light
manufacturing, tourism, and retirement. Phelps Dodge
Corporation, which has since merged with Freeport
McMoRan still maintains a presence in Bisbee and
played a major economic factor in Bisbee's past.
"Historic Bisbee" is a registered National Historic
District. Seven miles from the international border,
Bisbee serves as the major transportation link for the
twin plant manufacturing operations in Naco and Cananea, Sonora, Mexico.
Scenic Attractions
Located in southeast Arizona, Bisbee resembles a European hamlet more than an 1880s Old West town.
Originally called the “Queen of the Copper Camps,” Bisbee has a rich history from humble beginnings as a
mining camp to boom town in the 1880s. Bisbee was rebuilt in 1908 after being destroyed by a fire, and its
homes and downtown area retain a Victorian charm. The old saloons, office buildings and other landmarks
still stand. Bisbee today is rich in architecture and culture with numerous art galleries, antique stores,
gourmet restaurants, crafts shops, museums, bed and breakfasts, and hotels. The Queen Mine Tour
annually attracts thousands of visitors who ride into the old mining tunnels on a train. The Bisbee Mining &
Historical Museum, as well as hiking and birding are some of the featured attractions offered by Bisbee.
Community Facilities
The City of Bisbee offers community and cultural facilities including one library, 25 art galleries, 17 antique
stores, 20 restaurants (gourmet and fine dining), three museums, 13 parks, a swimming pool, tennis courts,
an 18-hole golf course and many football, basketball and Little League facilities. Cultural activities include a
historical home tour, Spring Arts Celebration, Farmer’s Market (May to October), musical events, an annual
Thanksgiving weekend Home Tour , annual wine festival, several art openings each month, a fiber arts
festival, performances by local theater groups and the annual Vuelta de Bisbee bicycle race.
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
Bisbee, Arizona
BASIC INFORMATION
Founded:
Elevation:
1880
5,350 ft.
LABOR FORCE
Incorporated:
Location:
Distance to major cities:
Phoenix:
205 miles
Tucson:
94 miles
Las Vegas:
500 miles
1902
Cochise County
San Diego:
Los Angeles:
501 miles
579 miles
POPULATION
1990
6,295
98,100
3,680,800
Bisbee
Cochise County
State of Arizona
2000
6,090
117,755
5,130,632
2014 (est.)
5,394
129,628
6,667,241
Arizona Dept. of Administration - azstats.gov
Civilian Labor Force
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
1990
2,657
176
6.6%
2000
2,804
141
5.0%
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
510
962
1,593
1,152
Share
12.1%
22.8%
37.8%
27.3%
Census Bureau - Fact Finder
INDUSTRY (RANKED BY EMPLOYMENT)
PROPERTY TAX
Elementary / High School
City / Fire District
Cochise County
Totals (Cochise County)
2014
2,349
181
7.7%
1990
5.73
1.54
6.26
13.53
2000
6.97
2.48
5.70
15.15
2014
4.81
2.31
5.67
12.80
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
SALES TAX / TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX
Bisbee
Cochise County
State
3.50%
0.50%
5.60%
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
Education, health care & social assistance
Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services
Public administration
Retail trade
Construction
Professional, scientific, & administrative services
Manufacturing
Other services, except public administration
Transportation, warehousing, & utilities
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining
Information
Wholesale trade
Finance, insurance & real estate
Count
544
352
274
271
172
144
89
89
77
46
36
32
22
Share
25.3%
16.4%
12.8%
12.6%
8.0%
6.7%
4.1%
4.1%
3.6%
2.1%
1.7%
1.5%
1.0%
Census Bureau - Fact Finder
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact:
City of Bisbee
118 Arizona St.
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: 520-432-6000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cityofbisbee.com
Cochise County Economic Development
Gussie Motter
1415 Melody Lane, Building G
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: 520-432-9215
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cochise.az.gov
Local First Arizona
407 E. Roosevelt St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-956-0909
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.localfirstaz.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