Coconino County

The 16th Territorial Assembly formed Coconino County in 1891, on 19th February. It was originally part of Yavapai County.   

The county gets its name from Cohonino, a Native American (Hopi) word for Yavapai and Havasupai.  

Coconino County is the 2nd largest in the U.S, covering 48220km2 of land and 110 km2 of water. It sits in the north-central part of Arizona with a population of 145101 as of the census done in 2020.  

County Seat 

Flagstaff is the county seat for Coconino. Some interesting facts about the city include: 

• It got its name from a flag-raising celebration held on the 4th of July, 1876 
• Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto was discovered in Flagstaff at the Lowell Observatory 
• It is the highest point on Route 66 
• Its terrain, which has similar conditions to the moon, made it a perfect place for Apollo 11 astronauts to practice before going to the moon.  
• It experiences all four seasons of the climate 
• It is located at the foot of Humphrey’s Peak, which is the highest mountain in Arizona 

The biggest population of 76,831 in Coconino has settled in Flagstaff, and this is why: 

1. Availability of employment opportunities 
2. Great weather; it is sunny most of the year and only snows a few days. 
3. A lot of outdoor activities to do, such as hiking and camping 

There are also cons to living in this city; 

1. High cost of living, especially when it comes to real estate 
2. A lot of the residents are students at Northern Arizona College, which can get a bit hectic 
3. The air is thin and dry. Flagstaff receives little rain in a year, which sometimes leads to many fire breakouts in the forest. You may also feel dryness on your skin no matter how much moisturizer you apply. Ensure always to apply sunscreen. 

Other county cities and towns include Fredonia, Kaibito, Sedona, Williams, Page, Parks, Tuba, Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, Munds Park, Leupp, and Kachina Village. 

County Offices 

Treasurer 

Sarah Benatar has headed the treasurer’s office at Coconino County since being elected in 2014. You can reach her office through email at [email protected], call at 928-679-8188, or fax at 928-213-9243 for any queries on tax.  

Assessor 

Armando Ruiz is the County Assessor. For any information you need on property assessment, you can reach this office through a phone call at 928-679-7962 or send a fax at 928-213-9242.  

County Attorney 

The county attorney for Coconino is William P. Ring. If you would like to contact his office, give them a call at 928-679-8200 or send them a fax at 928-214-6115. 

Justice of The Peace 

Hon. Howard Grodman has been the judge of Coconino County since being elected in 2012. Second in command is Hon. Joshua Steinlage. You can contact the office through a phone call at 928-679-7650.  

Clerk 

Valerie Wyant is the clerk of the superior court in Coconino County. To reach the office, call 928-679-7600.  

Sheriff’s Office 

The sheriff of Coconino County is Jim Driscoll, and his deputy is Bret Axlund. To reach the office, you call 928-226-5012. In case of an emergency, please call 911. 

The sheriff’s office is in charge of the Coconino Detention Facility. To find out any information about an inmate or visitation, call 928-266-5200. For sending mail or a package, the address is P.O.Box 7445, 951 E Sawmill Road, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001. 

To request county public records, call 928-214-2530. 

County Public Records 

The county stores public records to help the citizens in the area, controlled by the recorder’s office. This information excludes anything that may breach the privacy of any individual within the county, including tax records, adoption records, financial information, health status, and more. 

Patty Hansen and Donna Casner are the county’s recorder and chief deputy, respectively. For more information, visit them on 110 E. Cherry Ave. Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Call on: 928-679-7850 or fax on: 928-213-9241 or email on: [email protected]. 

3 Places You Have to Visit In Coconino County 

1. The Grand Canyon National Park 

The Grand Canyon makes it at the top of the list because it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Its beautiful scenery has attracted millions of people to visit. It is more beautiful in person than in photos.  

It has the south rim open throughout the year, while the north is non-operational during winter. 

Here are things you can enjoy doing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon: 

• Bike riding, including tours. Rental bicycles are available. 
• Hiking 
• Desert viewing 
• Raft rides on the Glen Canyon Dam and River Colorado (the Lodges within the park can organize this for you) 
• Photography. For those who enjoy taking photos, the Grand Canyon provides beautiful backgrounds.  
• Donkey riding. You can decide to take the three-hour ride called The Canyon Vistas Ride or an overnight one to the bottom of the canyon.  
• Camping. Ensure to get a permit from the Backcountry Information center before your visit. 

When the north rim is open, you can enjoy hiking, mule rides, camping, and watching deers and turkeys.  

There are restaurants where you can grab something to eat and lodges in the park if you want to stay the night or for several days.  

2. Lowell Observatory 

Visit Lowell Observatory and learn of all discoveries made in astronomy, including Pluto. At night, the observatory provides state-of-the-art telescopes which you can use to observe the sky. You will be able to see galaxies, gas clouds, and planets thanks to the dark sky of Flagstaff.  

3. Lake Powell 

Lake Powell formed in 1963 and became the second-largest artificial lake in the U.S. You can enjoy kayaking, boat rides, wakeboarding, swimming, fishing, visiting the magnificent Antelope Canyon, and taking a hike. The canyon is also a great place to take photos.    

There are several restaurants near the lake, and you can have a meal with a view. It is the perfect place for a date.   

County Parks 

Coconino has six county parks, including: 

1. Cataract Lake 
2. Sawmill  
3. Peaks View  
4. Fort Tuthill  
5. Louise Yellowman  
6. Raymond 

It is also home to two natural areas; Rogers Lake and PumpHouse County.  

There are several things you can enjoy in these parks, such as: 

• Hiking 
• Camping 
• Playing golf 
• Picnics 
• Horse riding 
• Archery 
• View wildlife 
• Play sports 
• Fishing at Cataract Lake 

There are also spaces available for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, business lunches, or corporate events. 

Main Industries and Businesses 

Here are the major industries that support Coconino County’s economy: 

• Hospitality 
• Food 
• Healthcare 
• Academic services 
• Mining 
• Gas extraction 
• Tourism 

Effects of Climate Change 

Due to drought from climate change, the water levels of Lake Powell have suffered a significant drop since 2001. It has started to affect the use of boats on the lake. It is also causing congestion when there are many visitors because the path is becoming narrow, especially during the hot season.  

The drought also affects water levels in Glen Canyon Dam, which hosts a power plant. Unfortunately, the plant will have to stop producing electricity if the amount of water drops beyond the required limit.  

Coconino County Offices by Type