Payson, Arizona

Payson is a pleasant town at the meeting of three roads in Gila County, Arizona, USA. In the 2000 census it had a population of 13,620.

Geography

Located at (34.239462, -111.327456), the town has a total area of 50.4 km² (19.5 mi²). The Mogollon Rim lies to the north; there are a few small lakes.

Neighboring communities include Star Valley and Pine, Arizona. The smaller communities of Rye and Strawberry are also within Gila county.

Education

Payson Unified School District #10 includes five major schools. Grammar schools include Julia Randall Elementary, Frontier Elementary, and Payson Elementary. Rim Country Middle School and Payson High School are essentially contained within one property. However, both facilities are organized and maintained by separate administration. All schools are subject to district laws enforced by the district board.

Recreation

Payson has plenty of trails for the off-roader as well as a six-screen movie theatre and a bowling alley. The area incorporates three golf courses, two of which belong to private country clubs. Dining choices include Mexican, Italian, and Chinese cuisine.

Government

The town government consists of the mayor, Barbara Brewer, and six council members: Tim Fruth, John Wilson, Judy Buettner, Robert Henley, George Barriger, and Dick Reese.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,620 people, 5,832 households, and 4,070 families residing in the town. The population density was 270.1/km² (699.6/mi²). There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 139.5/km² (361.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.75% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 1.89% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 5.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,832 households out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 29.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,638, and the median income for a family was $38,713. Males had a median income of $30,900 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,513. About 6.5% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

External links

Town of Payson website

Gila County, Arizona | Micropolitan areas of Arizona | Towns in Arizona