Sedona Arizona Community Report

Sedona Arizona is truly one of Arizona’s top vacation, recreation, vacation resort, retirement living and art centers. It’s location at the mouth of breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon and also at the center of Arizona’s renowned Red Rock Country provides breath-taking panoramas, a mild climate, a great deal of sunshine coupled with clean, fresh air. The area is the second most visited site within the state following the Grand Canyon. Founded in 1902, and incorporated in 1988, the city was named for Sedona Schnebly, an earlier settler. Sedona spreads over the bounds of two north central Arizona counties, Coconino and Yavapai. Most of the nearby population lives in Yavapai County.

Essential Information

Founded: 1902
Incorporated: 1988
Elevation: 4,500

Located in Coconino County and Yavapai County

Distance to Major Cities:

Phoenix: 119 miles
Tucson: 230 miles
Nearby Highways:  Highway  I-17,  State Route 179, State Route 89A

Population 1990 * 2000 * 2008

Sedona (Coconino) N/A * N/A * 3,140

Sedona (Yavapai) N/A * N/A * 8,233

Sedona (Total) 7,720 * 10,192 * 11,373

Coconino County 96,591 * 116,320 * 135,614

Yavapai County 107,714 * 167,517 * 227,348

Principal Economic Activities

Tourism is Sedona’s economic basis, with the National Forest Service estimating over 3.5 million tourists to the region each year. Sedona’s small town personality is preserved with a variety of small owner-operated businesses serving visitors and also the local community. Visitor awareness has stimulated retirement and vacation home purchase and construction, creating one of the most viable real estate marketplaces within the nation.

County Employment 2008
Government 12,800
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 12,600
Educational and Health Services 10,100
Leisure and Hospitality 8,400
Mining and Construction 8,300
Professional and Business Services 4,200
Manufacturing 3,100
Financial Activities 2,500
Other Services 2,000
Information 600

Scenic Attractions

Sedona delivers something for everyone, top notch resorts & hotels along with small family operated hotels, stylish bed and breakfasts, fine dining establishments, exceptional shops and varied galleries. The pure beauty of the region can make sightseeing and hiking, golf and tennis all seasons activities. Visitors might take a jeep tour into the high desert or check out the red rock monoliths from a horse or hot air balloon. Red Rock Crossing has been showcased within quite a few movies. Additional attractions include Slide Rock State Park, Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Sedona Arts Center and Tlaquepaque, a Mexican-style arts and crafts village. Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon was named by Rand-McNally as one of the most breathtaking drives in the United States.