Tuba City is an unincorporated town in Coconino County, Arizona, on Navajo lands, in the United States. It is the second-largest community in Coconino County. The population of the census-designated place was 8,611 at the 2010 census. It is the Navajo Nation's largest community, slightly larger than Shiprock, New Mexico, and the headquarters of the Western Navajo Agency. The Hopi village of Moenkopi lies directly to its southeast. The name of the town honors Tuuvi, a Hopi man from Oraibi who converted to Mormonism. The Navajo name for Tuba City, translates as "tangled waters", which probably refers to the many below-ground springs that are the source of several reservoirs. Tuba City is located within the Painted Desert near the western edge of the Navajo Nation. The town is situated on U.S. Route 160, near the junction with Arizona State Route 264. Tuba City is located about from the eastern entrance to Grand Canyon National Park and approximately from Flagstaff. Most of Tuba City's residents are Navajo, with a small Hopi minority. It is located within Arizona's 1st Congressional District, currently represented by Tom O'Halleran.
History
The written history of the town dates back more than 200 years. When Father Francisco Garcés visited the area in 1776, he recorded that the Hopi Indians were cultivating crops. The town was named after Tuuva, a Hopi man. Tuuva converted to Mormonism circa 1870, and invited the Mormons to settle near Moenkopi without permission. Tuba City was founded by the Mormons in 1872. Tuba City drew Navajo and Paiute Indians to the area because of its natural springs, Hopi Indians were already present. In 1956, Tuba City became a uranium town, as the regional office for the Rare Metals Corporation and the Atomic Energy Commission. The mill closed in 1966, and reclamation of the millsite and tailings pile was completed in 1990.
Geography and climate
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, all land. Geologically, Tuba City sits upon the Glen Canyon Group from the early Jurassic and on modern superficial Quaternary deposits. Arizona does not currently observe Daylight Saving Time, though the Navajo reservation does. In practice the community has a varied observance: tribal offices and schools observe DST, while most businesses do not. Tuba City, owing to its location in the rain shadow of the Mogollon Rim which keeps out moisture from the Gulf of California, has a cold desert climate with hot, dry summers—though less hot than Phoenix—and cold, dry winters. Frosts are normal from October to April but the majority of winters do not have measurable snowfall due to the dryness of the air descending from mountains to the south.
As of the census of 2015, there were 9,722 people, 2,360 households, and 1,675 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 921.6 people per square mile. There were 2,465 housing units at an average density of 274.0 per square mile. The racial make-up of the CDP was 76.17% Native American, 8.36% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 14.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,360 households out of which 52.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 26.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.00 and the average family size was 4.49. In the CDP, the age distribution of the population shows 42.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males. Tuba City's median household income is $47,091, and the median income for a family was $37,813. Males had a median income of $29,280 versus $26,855 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,140. About 23.1% of families and 28.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 44.8% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions
The opened in 2007 in the center of Tuba City, next to the historic Tuba City Trading Post.
Coal Mine Canyon, a colorful canyon with many hoodoos, is southeast.
Hahonogeh Canyon, near Coal Mine Canyon, is noteworthy for its blue colors at sunrise and sunset.
The Hopi tribe opened the Tuuvi Travel Center in 2008, a $6.3 million complex. They opened a 13 million dollar motel in 2010 and Denny's restaurant in 2011 across the street on US Highway 160. The Hopi Nation plan a $100 million "Gateway to Hopiland" nearby. Tuba City is served by the Tuba City Airport.
Education
The area is served by the Tuba City Unified School District, as well as several independent schools within the area. Schools in Tuba City include:
Tuba City High School was awarded the 1982 National Cross Country Championship through the XC Legacy series published through Milesplit.us in an effort to begin filling in the national rankings from 1980-1988. The Harrier Magazine, operated by Marc Bloom formerly of Runners World Magazine began keeping official rankings in 1989. The National Title is the first for historic Coach Bud Davis and caps off a remarkable season and school Legacy of eight straight state titles, eleven in thirteen seasons. Tuba City High School's varsity volleyball team are 2012 Champions. Also, Tuba City High School's Cross-Country team took 1st in the state in 2013. On January 4, 1988, Northern Arizona beat Central Connecticut 72-70 in Tuba City in the first Division I basketball game ever played on an Indian reservation.
