Editing Clifton, Arizona

{{Short description|Town in Greenlee County, Arizona}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Clifton, Arizona
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|motto                    = "Where the trail begins"
|image_flag               = Flag of Clifton, Arizona.svg
|image_skyline            = Clifton, AZ train station.jpg
|image_caption            = Old train depot, built 1913, now used by the Chamber of Commerce
|imagesize                = 
|image_map                = Greenlee County Arizona Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Clifton Highlighted 0414380.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Clifton in Greenlee County, Arizona
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|pushpin_map              = Arizona#USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
|pushpin_label = Clifton
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Arizona|County]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Arizona]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Greenlee County, Arizona|Greenlee]]
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 38.44
|area_total_sq_mi         = 14.84
|area_land_km2            = 37.87
|area_land_sq_mi          = 14.62
|area_water_km2           = 0.57
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.22
|elevation_ft             = 3875
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 3933
|population_density_km2   = 103.85
<!-- For 2015 pop estimate -->
|population_density_sq_mi = 268.98
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Standard Time Zone|MST]] (no [[Daylight savings time|DST]])
|utc_offset               = -7
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|01|29|N|109|17|17|W|region:US_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
|timezone_DST             = 
|utc_offset_DST           = 
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 85533
|area_code                = [[Area code 928|928]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 04-14380
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2413215<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413215}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|cliftonaz.com}}
|footnotes                = 
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_04.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}

'''Clifton''' is a town in and is the [[county seat]] of [[Greenlee County, Arizona|Greenlee County]], [[Arizona]], United States,<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> along the [[San Francisco River (Gila River tributary)|San Francisco River]]. The population of the town was 3,311 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0414380| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Clifton town, Arizona| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=November 9, 2016}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> with a 2018 population estimate of 3,700.<ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=June 4, 2019}}</ref> It was a place of the [[Arizona copper mine strike of 1983]].

Clifton and [[Morenci, Arizona|Morenci]] are thought to be an economic area by the [[Arizona Department of Commerce]].<ref name=ADOC>[http://www.azcommerce.com/doclib/COMMUNE/clifton-morenci.pdf Clifton–Morenci Community Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816144629/http://www.azcommerce.com/doclib/COMMUNE/clifton-morenci.pdf |date=August 16, 2010 }} at [[Arizona Department of Commerce]]</ref>

==Geography and climate==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|38.4|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|37.8|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 1.46%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/> Clifton has a hot [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSh'') that closely borders on both the hot [[desert climate]] and the cool semi-arid climate. There is a large degree of [[diurnal temperature variation]]. Summers are very hot and sometimes humid, with most rainfall coming from the monsoon between July and October. The wettest year was 2004 with {{convert|28.49|in|mm|1}} including {{convert|6.97|in|mm|1}} in August, whilst the driest year with a full record was 1924 with only {{convert|4.85|in|mm|1}} including a mere {{convert|1.98|in|mm|1}} between July and October.<ref>[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?az1849 Clifton, Arizona: Monthly Total Precipitation (inches) – (021849)]</ref> Winters are mild (though with very cold nights) and dry, with snow only recorded in fourteen years since 1892.<ref>[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?az1849 Clifton, Arizona: Monthly Total Snowfall (Inches)]</ref>

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location = Clifton, Arizona (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1908–2012)
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high F = 83
|Feb record high F = 87
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 99
|May record high F = 108
|Jun record high F = 116
|Jul record high F = 115
|Aug record high F = 113
|Sep record high F = 110
|Oct record high F = 102
|Nov record high F = 94
|Dec record high F = 80
| Jan avg record high F = 70.1
| Feb avg record high F = 76.2
| Mar avg record high F = 84.5
| Apr avg record high F = 92.4
| May avg record high F = 101.2
| Jun avg record high F = 108.3
| Jul avg record high F = 109.2
| Aug avg record high F = 105.4
| Sep avg record high F = 100.8
| Oct avg record high F = 94.0
| Nov avg record high F = 80.3
| Dec avg record high F = 70.4
| year avg record high F = 110.3
|Jan high F = 61.2
|Feb high F = 65.9
|Mar high F = 73.2
|Apr high F = 81.2
|May high F = 90.0
|Jun high F = 100.0
|Jul high F = 100.4
|Aug high F = 97.5
|Sep high F = 92.5
|Oct high F = 82.6
|Nov high F = 69.8
|Dec high F = 59.6
|year high F = 81.2

|Jan mean F = 48.1
|Feb mean F = 52.5
|Mar mean F = 59.3
|Apr mean F = 66.1
|May mean F = 74.3
|Jun mean F = 84.4
|Jul mean F = 87.4
|Aug mean F = 84.6
|Sep mean F = 79.2
|Oct mean F = 68.8
|Nov mean F = 55.7
|Dec mean F = 47.3
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 35.1
|Feb low F = 39.1
|Mar low F = 45.3
|Apr low F = 51.0
|May low F = 58.7
|Jun low F = 68.9
|Jul low F = 74.4
|Aug low F = 71.6
|Sep low F = 65.9
|Oct low F = 54.9
|Nov low F = 41.5
|Dec low F = 35.0
|year low F = 53.5
| Jan avg record low F = 26.3
| Feb avg record low F = 30.4
| Mar avg record low F = 33.3
| Apr avg record low F = 40.7
| May avg record low F = 49.2
| Jun avg record low F = 59.4
| Jul avg record low F = 66.7
| Aug avg record low F = 64.4
| Sep avg record low F = 55.6
| Oct avg record low F = 41.1
| Nov avg record low F = 30.8
| Dec avg record low F = 24.5
| year avg record low F = 23.4
|Jan record low F = 4
|Feb record low F = 17
|Mar record low F = 22
|Apr record low F = 26
|May record low F = 34
|Jun record low F = 46
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 51
|Sep record low F = 39
|Oct record low F = 32
|Nov record low F = 20
|Dec record low F = 12
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.25
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.53
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.85
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.47
|May precipitation inch = 0.49
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.43
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.12
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.28
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.71
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.45
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.33
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.11
|year precipitation inch = 17.02
|Jan precipitation days = 4.1
|Feb precipitation days = 5.0
|Mar precipitation days = 3.6
|Apr precipitation days = 1.9
|May precipitation days = 2.3
|Jun precipitation days = 2.4
|Jul precipitation days = 8.5
|Aug precipitation days = 10.6
|Sep precipitation days = 5.9
|Oct precipitation days = 3.6
|Nov precipitation days = 3.4
|Dec precipitation days = 4.1
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch

|source 1 = NWS – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web|title= Climatic Averages for the United States 1909–2012: Clifton, AZ|url= https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=twc|access-date= March 2, 2021|publisher= National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00021849&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Clifton, AZ
|access-date = February 16, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=right
|1890= 600
|1910= 4874
|1920= 4163
|1930= 2305
|1940= 2668
|1950= 3466
|1960= 4191
|1970= 5087
|1980= 4245
|1990= 2840
|2000= 2596
|2010= 3311
|2020= 3933
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial Makeup
|-
! Race ''<small>(NH = Non-Hispanic)</small>'' !! % 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE (2020) |url=https://data.census.gov/table?t=Race+and+Ethnicity&g=160XX00US0414380&d=DEC+Demographic+and+Housing+Characteristics |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> !! % 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE (2010) |url=https://data.census.gov/table?t=Race+and+Ethnicity&g=160XX00US0414380&y=2010 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> !! % 2000<ref>{{cite book |title=Arizona: 2000 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |pages=22-23 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2002/dec/phc-1-4.pdf}}</ref> !! Pop. 2020 !! Pop. 2010 !! Pop. 2000
|-
| White Alone (NH) || 38%|| 35.1%|| 40.4%|| 1,493|| 1,161|| 1,048
|-
| Black Alone (NH) || 0.8%|| 0.6%|| 0.6%|| 33|| 20|| 15
|-
| American Indian Alone (NH) || 3.8%|| 2.6%|| 2.2%|| 150|| 87|| 57
|-
| Asian Alone (NH) || 0.5%|| 0.6%|| 0%|| 21|| 21|| 1
|-
| Pacific Islander Alone (NH) || 0%|| 0.1%|| 0%|| 0|| 3|| 0
|-
| Other Race Alone (NH) || 0.5%|| 0.1%|| 0.1%|| 20|| 3|| 3
|-
| Multiracial (NH) || 2.4%|| 0.8%|| 0.8%|| 96|| 25|| 22
|-
| Hispanic (Any race) || 53.9%|| 60.1%|| 55.9%|| 2,120|| 1,991|| 1,450
|}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,596 people, 919 households, and 685 families residing in the town.  The population density was {{convert|174.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,087 housing units at an average density of {{convert|73.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 67.1% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.0 [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 2.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], <0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 26.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.9% from two or more races.  55.9% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 919 households, out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.7 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,786, and the median income for a family was $41,820. Males had a median income of $39,813 versus $19,485 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $15,313.  About 8.1% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The town of Clifton operates under a council-manager form of government with seven elected council members, including a mayor and vice-mayor, and a town manager appointed by the council. Each council member is elected to a four-year term.<ref>{{cite web|title=Town of Clifton, Arizona|url=http://cliftonaz.gov|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706103017/http://cliftonaz.gov/|archive-date=July 6, 2015}}</ref> {{As of|2025}}, the mayor since 2023 has been Laura Dorrell.<ref>https://www.eacourier.com/copper_era/new-clifton-mayor-laura-dorrell-takes-office/article_025ec4e6-95c9-11ed-aeed-975129476fd5.html</ref> In 2018, Town Manager Ian McGaughey left his position. His replacement, Heather Ruder, resigned six months later. The next year, Rudy H. Perez Jr. was selected. On 15 July 2024, Perez was fired.<ref>https://gilaherald.com/perez-sacked-as-clifton-town-manager/</ref>

==Transportation==
Clifton is served by [[U.S. Route 191]], [[Greenlee County Airport]], and the [[Arizona Eastern Railway]].

==Education==
Since the closure of [[Clifton Unified School District]] in 2010, it is now in the [[Morenci Unified School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st04_az/schooldistrict_maps/c04011_greenlee/DC20SD_C04011.pdf|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Greenlee County, AZ|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 17, 2022}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
File:Hoveys_Dance_Hall_in_Clifton_Arizona_1884.jpg|Hovey's Dance Hall in Clifton in 1884
File:Clifton in 1903.jpg|Clifton in 1903
File:Clifton Cliff Jail Clifton Arizona Circa 1900.jpg|The Clifton Cliff Jail, sometime before it closed in 1906
File:Clifton Hotsprings.jpg|Clifton Mineral Hot Springs Bathhouse, which was built in 1928
File:Clifton Townsite Historic District.jpg|[[Clifton Townsite Historic District]] in 1993
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of historic properties in Clifton, Arizona]]
* [[Clifton Townsite Historic District]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}
* [http://www.westernmininghistory.com/towns/arizona/clifton/ Clifton] at Western Mining History, includes photo gallery
* [https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/clifton(historicmainstreetonly).html Clifton (Historic Main Street Only)] – ghosttowns.com
{{Portal bar|Arizona|Cities}}
{{Greenlee County, Arizona}}
{{Arizona county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:County seats in Arizona]]
[[Category:Mining communities in Arizona]]
[[Category:Towns in Greenlee County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Safford, Arizona micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in Arizona]]