PHOENIX — Greenlee County is projected to grow at a faster rate than most other counties in the state over the next 35 years, but will remain one of the smallest counties in the state.
That’s according to population projections released by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity on Wednesday.
Greenlee County’s population is projected to grow by 26 percent between now and 2060 — from 9,687 in 2025 to 12,165 in 2060 — which would put it fourth in growth rate behind Pinal County (projected to grow by 118 percent), Yuma County (30 percent) and Maricopa County (27 percent).
However, even if the population grew by the projected amount, Greenlee County would be the state’s smallest populated area, accounting for just one-tenth of 1 percent of the state’s population.
Graham County’s population is projected to grow by 18 percent, climbing from 40,277 in 2025 to 47,488 in 2060. Even with that growth, Graham County would account for just five-tenths of 1 percent of the state’s population, making it the state’s third-lowest population center, behind Greenlee and La Paz counties.
Two nearby counties are projected to experience population decline. Cochise County’s population is projected to fall by 7 percent — from 129,042 in 2025 to 120,476 in 20260 — while Gila County’s population is projected to fall by 10 percent — from 53,908 in 2025 to 48,686 in 2060.
Statewide, population is projected to increase by 26 percent, growing to 9.8 million in 2060.
