QUARTZSITE
Quartzsite is west of Phoenix at the junction of Interstate 10 and US 95, near the
Colorado River. The community has a Sonoran Desert setting. The nearby Kofa, New
Water and Plomosa Mountains provide topographic relief while the Colorado River lies
only 17 miles to the west. Quartzsite was established in 1867 on the site of old Fort
Tyson, a privately built structure constructed in 1856 by Charles Tyson for protection
against Indian raids. Named Quartzsite because quartz was occasionally found in the
area, the name evolved to Quartzsite through an error in spelling. The Town is currently
is 130 sq. miles.
Basic Information
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Founded: 1867
Incorporated: 1989
Elevation: 870
Located in La Paz County
Nearby Highways: Hwy I-10, US 95, SR95
Distance to major cities:
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Phoenix: 125 mi
Tucson: 296 mi
Yuma: 80 mi
Palm Springs: 129 mi
Population
1990
2000
2006
Quartzsite
1,876
3,354
3,650
La Paz County
13,844
19,715
21,255
Arizona
3,665,228
5,140,632
6,305,210
Principal Economic Activities
Tourism is the major contributor to Quartzsite’s economy. The retail trade and
services sectors benefit from the visitors who reside at the numerous (ore than
70) mobile home parks in the vicinity between October and March. Nine major
gem, mineral, and 15 general swap-meeting shows are popular tourist
attractions, attracting approximately 1.5 million people annually.
Major Private Employers
Major Public Employers
Burger King
ADOT
Love’s Auto Truck Center
Quartzsite Post Office
McDonald’s
Town of Quartzsite
Pilot Truck Center
Quartzsite Elementary School District
Horizon Bank
County
Employment 2006
Government
2,125
Other Private
Service-Providing
Trade
1,450
Providing Trade &
Utilities
1,325
Goods Producing
500
Labor Force Data
1990
2000
2006
Civilian Labor Force
679
695
692
Unemployed
37
34
33
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
4.9%
4.8%
Growth Indicators
1990
2000
2006
New Bldg. Permits
92
95
177
Taxable Sales ($)
15.9 million
29.2 million
51.8 million
Net Assessed Value
($)
7.7 million
14.2 million
18.2 million
Scenic Attractions
A rock hunter’s paradise surrounds Quartzsite with agates, limonite cubes, gold
and quartz being just a few. In town, the Hi Jolly Monument honors the Greek &
Syrian camel driver Hadji Ali, who took part in an unsuccessful 1850′s U.S. War
Department attempt to use camels as beasts of burden in the desert. To the
south rise the Kofa Mountains. Historic and scenic areas include the Spanish
Wall, Crystal Hill, Tyson Tanks, and Tyson Wells Museum. South in the Kofa
Mountains is Palm Canyon, a tight gorge and home of Arizona’s only native
palms, reached by a steep but rewarding climb. Farther south is Castle Dome
peak. There are many points of interest including historical sites, day trips and
many off road ATV trails.
Community Facilities
Quartzsite offers a broad range of community facilities including an 80-acre town
park with water-feature and skateboard park, ball field, volleyball and basketball,
playgrounds, horse-shoe pits, and remote control flying site; Celia’s Rainbow
Gardens, a senior citizens hall, recreation centers, a public library and museum,
one 27-hole par 3 desert golf course. The Quartzsite sewer and water system is
in the process of being upgraded on an on-going basis.
Educational Institutions Public Private
Elementary
Y
N
High School
Y
N
Financial
Number of Banks: 1
Government
Quartzsite Fire District: Staffed Town/Local Fire Department
Law Enforcement: Town of Quartzsite Police Department
Medical
Quartzsite has three medical centers, year-round ambulance services, pharmacy
and medevac heliport.
Hotel & Lodging
Number of Rooms: 72
Meeting Rooms: 4
Capacity of Largest Facility: 1,000
Utilities
Electricity
APS (Statewide)
800-428-7324
Propane
Various Dealers
Sewer
Town of Quartzsite
928-927-4333
Telephone
TDS Telecom
928-927-6345
Trash Pick-Up
Palo Verde Disposal
760-922-9107
Waste Disposal
Allied Waste (Quartzsite)
928-669-8886
Water
Town of Quartzsite
Cable Internet Service Provider: No
Digital Switching Station: No
Internet Service Provider: Yes
Satellite: Yes
Fiber Optics: Yes
TAXES
Property Tax Rate
1990
928-927-4333
2000
2006
Elementary/High
Schools
3.84
5.72
4.22
Fire District
2.28
2.50
2.76
Countywide
5.24
4.96
4.68
Totals
11.36
13.18
11.66
NOTE: Tax rate per $100 assessed valuation
Sales Tax 2006
City/Town
2.5%
County
1.0%
State
6.60%
Weather
Avg. Low (F)
Avg. High (F)
Precip. (in.)
January
38.5
65.5
0.5
February
43.1
70.8
0.5
March
49.2
77.8
0.4
April
56.2
86.3
0.2
May
65.4
95.0
0.0
June
74.3
104.1
0.0
July
81.7
108.3
0.3
August
81.0
106.3
0.6
September
72.9
101.1
0.4
October
60.0
90.0
0.4
November
46.2
74.5
0.3
December
37.6
64.7
0.4
Yearly Avg.
58.8
87.0
4.1
For additional information contact:
Town of Quartzsite
PO Box 2812/465 N. Plymouth Ave.
Quartzsite, AZ 85346
928-927-4333