Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is a city and community that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the Verde Valley of northern Arizona. The population was 10,192 at the 2000 census. Founded in 1902, it has become a gathering place for mystics, who believe some of the earth's energy, as it flows around the rocks is concentrated into power spots some call vortexes. Believers in Vortex Healing believe the Sedona area is the home of several such vortexes.

One of Sedona's main attractions is its stunning array of red sandstone formations, the Red Rocks of Sedona. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The Red Rocks form a breathtaking backdrop for everything from spiritual pursuits to the myriad of incredible hiking and mountain biking trails.

There are several events that are hosted annually in the Sedona area, including:

Sedona International Film Festival on February 28th to March 4th, 2007.
Sedona Marathon will take place Saturday February 7th, 2007
Sedona's renowned Jazz on the Rocks festival at Radisson Poco Diablo on September 21-24, 2006.

Politically, Uptown Sedona (the part in Coconino County) and West Sedona (the Yavapai County portion) form the City of Sedona. Originally founded in 1902, the town was incorporated into a city in January 1988. The Village of Oak Creek, despite its location seven miles to the south and outside Sedona city limits, is a significant part of the community.

Sedona is named after Sedona Miller Schnebly (1877–1950), the wife of the city's first postmaster, who was celebrated for her hospitality, her industriousness, and her commitment to education for people of all ages.

Geography

Sedona is located at (34.859897, -111.789199), which is in the Upper Sonoran Desert of northern Arizona. At an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,372 m), Sedona has mild winters and summers that are often described as being, "not as hot as Phoenix."

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.2 km² (18.6 mi²), all land.

The famous Red Rocks of Sedona are formed by a layer of rock known as the Schnebly Hill Formation. The Schnebly Hill Formation is a thick layer of red to orange-colored sandstone found only in the Sedona vicinity. The sandstone is thought to have been deposited during the Permian period.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,192 people, 4,928 households, and 2,863 families residing in the city. The population density was 211.6/km² (548.0/mi²). There were 5,684 housing units at an average density of 118.0/km² (305.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.17% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 4.29% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. 8.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,928 households out of which 15.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.52.

In the city the population was spread out with 13.7% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 35.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,042, and the median income for a family was $52,659. Males had a median income of $32,067 versus $24,453 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,350. About 4.7% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

History

On June 19, 2006, a wildfire reportedly started by transients began about one mile north of Sedona.The so-called "Brins Fire" covered 4,317 acres before the USDA Forest Service declared it 100% contained as of 6:00 p.m. on June 28. Containment cost was estimated at $6,400,000.[http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/fire/brins-fire-6-2006/index.shtml

Trivia

In Jamie O'Neal's love ballad, "There Is No Arizona", Jamie belts out the name Sedona in the chorus, "There is no Arizona. No painted desert, no Sedona."
Some of the purported spiritual vortices in the Sedona area are believed to radiate male energy, and others female energy. Such vortices, it is said, can be found all over the planet, but such a concentration is rare. It is believed there are five major vortex areas in Sedona: Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon and Schnebly Hill. Many experience uplifting or insightful feelings while meditating at these power points and there is a specialized new age tourist industry in Sedona. Paige Bryant, a well known psychic, was the first to locate vortex areas in Sedona.
Israel Regardie, former secretary and friend of Aleister Crowley and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn died in Sedona in 1985.
Sedona is home of the world's only McDonald's with non-yellow arches. The arches are instead turquoise.
Inspired by the gorgeous rock formations surrounding the town, music composer Steven Reineke wrote a piece which he named "Sedona".
It is rumored that Tool frontman, Maynard James Keenan, lives in Sedona and it is confirmed that he is a partner in a winery in Page Springs, near Sedona.

Education

The portion of Sedona in Yavapai County is served by the Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District.

The portion of Sedona in Coconino County is served by the Flagstaff Unified School District.

External links

Cities in Arizona | Yavapai County, Arizona | Coconino County, Arizona

Sedona | Sedona (Arizona) | Sedona, Arizona