Guest, Sign inJoin
Bisbee, Arizona mainstreetBisbee, #1 on this list · Photo: Chad Johnson · CC BY 2.0
Arizona rankings · History

Most historic towns in Arizona

Bisbee ranks first on history among Arizona’s 140 towns of 2,500+; 2 of the 140 grade A− or better on history nationally.

The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. How grades work

#1

Bisbee

Cochise County · 4,860 people
A

History grade, better than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #105 of 139 in AZ

#2

Globe

Gila County · 7,191 people
A−

History grade, better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #107 of 139 in AZ

#3

Williams

Coconino County · 3,473 people
B+

History grade, better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #128 of 139 in AZ

All 140 towns

History grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 42 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.

140 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.

#TownGradeOverall
1BisbeeCochise County · 4,860 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #105 of 139
2GlobeGila County · 7,191 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #107 of 139
3WilliamsCoconino County · 3,473 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #128 of 139
4WinslowNavajo County · 8,464 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #126 of 139
5TucsonPima County · 548,371 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #108 of 139
6DouglasCochise County · 16,038 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #104 of 139
7SuperiorPinal County · 2,611 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #125 of 139
8PrescottYavapai County · 48,420 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #68 of 139
9SaffordGraham County · 10,279 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #69 of 139
10Ajounincorporated, Pima County · 3,107 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #27 of 139
11NogalesSanta Cruz County · 19,495 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #127 of 139
12HolbrookNavajo County · 4,866 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #88 of 139
13WillcoxCochise County · 3,189 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #119 of 139
14BensonCochise County · 5,532 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #74 of 139
15ClarkdaleYavapai County · 4,806 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #84 of 139
16CliftonGreenlee County · 3,752 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #2 of 139
17KingmanMohave County · 35,829 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #122 of 139
18Oracleunincorporated, Pinal County · 3,146 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #89 of 139
19Catalina Foothillsunincorporated, Pima County · 52,593 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #31 of 139
20TaylorNavajo County · 4,408 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #11 of 139
21PhoenixMaricopa County · 1,665,481 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #65 of 139
22CottonwoodYavapai County · 12,709 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #106 of 139
23SnowflakeNavajo County · 6,902 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #40 of 139
24FlagstaffCoconino County · 77,260 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #82 of 139
25YumaYuma County · 105,227 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #111 of 139
26GlendaleMaricopa County · 260,572 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #79 of 139
27FlorencePinal County · 25,222 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #33 of 139
28WickenburgMaricopa County · 8,305 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #54 of 139
29Casa GrandePinal County · 69,753 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #133 of 139
30MesaMaricopa County · 513,656 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #50 of 139
31Camp VerdeYavapai County · 12,581 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #92 of 139
32ScottsdaleMaricopa County · 243,006 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #24 of 139
33TempeMaricopa County · 190,571 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #53 of 139
34EagarApache County · 4,459 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #12 of 139
35Central Heights-Midland Cityunincorporated, Gila County · 2,909 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #112 of 139
36PimaGraham County · 3,181 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #21 of 139
37Lake Montezumaunincorporated, Yavapai County · 4,929 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #117 of 139
38CoolidgePinal County · 19,959 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #115 of 139
39New Riverunincorporated, Maricopa County · 18,240 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #15 of 139
40Tanque Verdeunincorporated, Pima County · 15,866 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #48 of 139
41ParkerLa Paz County · 3,394 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #98 of 139
42Tucson Mountainsunincorporated, Pima County · 11,353 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #52 of 139
43Red Rockunincorporated, Pinal County · 3,277 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #55 of 139
44Lake of the Woodsunincorporated, Navajo County · 3,250 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #83 of 139
45Cave CreekMaricopa County · 5,160 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #13 of 139
46BuckeyeMaricopa County · 125,445 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #61 of 139
47PeoriaMaricopa County · 200,881 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #25 of 139
48Three Pointsunincorporated, Pima County · 5,254 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #130 of 139
49Tuba Cityunincorporated, Coconino County · 7,960 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #81 of 139
50PaysonGila County · 16,693 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #123 of 139
51Sierra Vista Southeastunincorporated, Cochise County · 14,330 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #103 of 139
52St. JohnsApache County · 3,336 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #1 of 139
53Saddlebrookeunincorporated, Pinal County · 13,085 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #131 of 139
54Show LowNavajo County · 12,471 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #102 of 139
55SedonaYavapai County · 9,619 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #100 of 139
56Chinleunincorporated, Apache County · 4,147 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #97 of 139
57Sierra VistaCochise County · 44,907 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #45 of 139
58ChandlerMaricopa County · 278,748 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #9 of 139
59South TucsonPima County · 4,452 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #86 of 139
60Fort Defianceunincorporated, Apache County · 3,351 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #99 of 139
61SahuaritaPima County · 37,694 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #36 of 139
62Vailunincorporated, Pima County · 16,315 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #17 of 139
63ThatcherGraham County · 5,690 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #3 of 139
64Casas Adobesunincorporated, Pima County · 72,059 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #28 of 139
65El MirageMaricopa County · 35,820 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #70 of 139
66Dewey-HumboldtYavapai County · 4,604 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #109 of 139
67Paradise ValleyMaricopa County · 12,251 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #14 of 139
68Oro ValleyPima County · 48,085 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #20 of 139
69Whiteriverunincorporated, Navajo County · 4,545 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #134 of 139
70AvondaleMaricopa County · 100,983 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #96 of 139
71Pauldenunincorporated, Yavapai County · 4,795 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #43 of 139
72Queen CreekMaricopa County · 89,770 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #10 of 139
73SomertonYuma County · 14,934 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #42 of 139
74GilbertMaricopa County · 287,285 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #4 of 139
75MaricopaPinal County · 78,362 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #75 of 139
76Fort Mohaveunincorporated, Mohave County · 15,715 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #110 of 139
77Cordes Lakesunincorporated, Yavapai County · 3,808 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #124 of 139
78Bullhead CityMohave County · 43,987 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #139 of 139
79Prescott ValleyYavapai County · 52,423 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #64 of 139
80Star ValleyGila County · 2,538 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #22 of 139
T81Cornvilleunincorporated, Yavapai County · 3,618 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #129 of 139
T81Heber-Overgaardunincorporated, Navajo County · 3,621 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #46 of 139
T81Lindenunincorporated, Navajo County · 2,502 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #30 of 139
T81Sacatonunincorporated, Pinal County · 3,429 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·No overall grade
T81San Carlosunincorporated, Gila County · 4,973 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #136 of 139
86Sun Cityunincorporated, Maricopa County · 37,486 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #44 of 139
87CarefreeMaricopa County · 3,600 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #6 of 139
88Kayentaunincorporated, Navajo County · 4,927 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #80 of 139
89Mohave Valleyunincorporated, Mohave County · 2,555 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #113 of 139
90Verde Villageunincorporated, Yavapai County · 11,930 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #114 of 139
T91Doney Parkunincorporated, Coconino County · 6,253 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #49 of 139
T91Picture Rocksunincorporated, Pima County · 9,448 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #90 of 139
93Williamsonunincorporated, Yavapai County · 6,310 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #72 of 139
T94Gold Canyonunincorporated, Pinal County · 13,107 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #62 of 139
T94Sun Lakesunincorporated, Maricopa County · 13,924 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #57 of 139
96EloyPinal County · 19,967 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #121 of 139
97Drexel Heightsunincorporated, Pima County · 27,675 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #77 of 139
98WelltonYuma County · 2,671 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #73 of 139
99Tucson Estatesunincorporated, Pima County · 12,136 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #51 of 139
100San LuisYuma County · 42,030 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #78 of 139
T101Fortuna Foothillsunincorporated, Yuma County · 28,896 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #85 of 139
T101Valencia Westunincorporated, Pima County · 14,728 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #94 of 139
T103Flowing Wellsunincorporated, Pima County · 16,559 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #66 of 139
T103GoodyearMaricopa County · 125,359 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #38 of 139
T103Sun City Westunincorporated, Maricopa County · 27,425 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #35 of 139
106TollesonMaricopa County · 9,224 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #71 of 139
107Catalinaunincorporated, Pima County · 6,489 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #59 of 139
T108Avenue B and Cunincorporated, Yuma County · 4,001 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #91 of 139
T108Avra Valleyunincorporated, Pima County · 6,277 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #93 of 139
T108Citrus Parkunincorporated, Maricopa County · 5,115 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #32 of 139
T108Corona de Tucsonunincorporated, Pima County · 9,566 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #26 of 139
T108Desert Hillsunincorporated, Mohave County · 2,944 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #41 of 139
T108Golden Valleyunincorporated, Mohave County · 8,567 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #138 of 139
T108Kachina Villageunincorporated, Coconino County · 3,212 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #37 of 139
T108New Kingman-Butlerunincorporated, Mohave County · 13,993 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #118 of 139
T108Rincon Valleyunincorporated, Pima County · 6,512 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #16 of 139
T108Rio Ricounincorporated, Santa Cruz County · 22,017 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #135 of 139
T108Summitunincorporated, Pima County · 4,896 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #116 of 139
T108Swift Trail Junctionunincorporated, Graham County · 2,859 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #56 of 139
T108Village of Oak Creek (Big Park)unincorporated, Yavapai County · 6,356 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #95 of 139
T108Whetstoneunincorporated, Cochise County · 2,971 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #137 of 139
T108White Mountain Lakeunincorporated, Navajo County · 2,910 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #60 of 139
123Chino ValleyYavapai County · 13,832 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #58 of 139
124MaranaPima County · 65,523 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #39 of 139
T125Bagdadunincorporated, Yavapai County · 2,814 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #5 of 139
T125Colorado CityMohave County · 3,484 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #132 of 139
T125GuadalupeMaricopa County · 5,093 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #47 of 139
T125SurpriseMaricopa County · 175,304 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #18 of 139
129Apache JunctionPinal County · 45,672 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #67 of 139
130Pinetop-LakesideNavajo County · 4,149 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #120 of 139
131Anthemunincorporated, Maricopa County · 22,584 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall A− · #7 of 139
T132Green Valleyunincorporated, Pima County · 22,114 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B− · #34 of 139
T132Lake Havasu CityMohave County · 59,358 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #101 of 139
T134Arizona Cityunincorporated, Pinal County · 9,543 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #76 of 139
T134Fountain HillsMaricopa County · 23,625 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B+ · #19 of 139
T134Litchfield ParkMaricopa County · 6,727 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall A− · #8 of 139
T134PageCoconino County · 7,147 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B · #29 of 139
T134San Manuelunincorporated, Pinal County · 3,491 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #87 of 139
T134San Tan Valleyunincorporated, Pinal County · 109,189 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #63 of 139
T134YoungtownMaricopa County · 7,039 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B · #23 of 139
Quick answers

Questions people ask

What is the most historic town in Arizona?

Bisbee (Cochise County) ranks first on history among 140 towns, with an A; Globe and Williams follow.

How are these towns ranked?

The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a history grade (140 in Arizona). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Arizona page.

Go deeper

More Arizona lists

Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.

All Arizona rankings →
Other states

Most historic towns in other states