Tourism First Agenda

A view of Sedona area communities 2023 Census

Posted on by Donna Joy

Do Census Numbers Illuminate the Sedona Area Communities?

Communities are always evolving, and understanding these changes can provide valuable insights. By examining census data, we can learn more about our identities, discover which communities are expanding, and explore the differences and transformations within these communities.

While Sedona’s population has been on the decline, nearby communities have experienced growth. Do the statistics provide any insights? Are government actions aiding or impeding the development of these communities?

Sedona

  1. Population of 9,770
  2. Under 18 years old 10.7% 
  3. Median age of 59
  4. Median Household Income $67,374
  5. 1.9 per household
  6. Poverty Rate 13.7%
  7. 87.4% of the residents in Sedona, AZ are U.S. citizens.
  8. 19.9% Hispanic Population
  9. Median property value was $708,400,
  10. Homeownership rate was 73.3%.
  11. 5,004 Number of Households
  12. Average commute time was 21.8 minutes.
  13. Employed Population 4,335
  14. Most common job groups, by number of people living in Sedona, AZ, are Management Occupations (724 people), Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (489 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (446 people). 
  15. Common employment sectors are Retail Trade (669 people), Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (511 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (485 people). 
  16. the highest paying industries were Public Administration ($129,583), Manufacturing ($118,681), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($102,969).

Sedona Census 2023 sources:
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/sedona-az/#demographics
Sedona, AZ – Profile data – Census Reporter
Sedona city, Arizona – Census Bureau Search

Cottonwood AZ

  1. Population 12,547
  2. Under 18 years old 12.5% 
  3. Median Household Income $47,162
  4. Median age of 55.8
  5. 2.76 per household
  6. Poverty Rate 17.5%
  7. 92.7% of the residents in Cottonwood, AZ are U.S. citizens.
  8. 23% Hispanic Population
  9. Median Property Value $286,000
  10. Homeownership rate was 51%.
  11. 6,488 Number of Households
  12. Employed Population 5,288
  13. Average commute time was 19.7 minutes.
  14. Most common job groups, by number of people living in Cottonwood, AZ, are Management Occupations (669 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (570 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (556 people). 
  15. The industries with the best median Public Administration ($90,259), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($66,857), and Manufacturing ($65,817).
  16. The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($74,750), Public Administration ($47,589), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($34,187).

Sources:Cottonwood AZ 2023
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/cottonwood-az/
Cottonwood city, Arizona – Census Bureau Profile
Cottonwood, AZ – Profile data – Census Reporter

Camp Verde

  1. Population 12,282
  2. Under 18 years old 20%
  3. Median Household Income $58,383
  4. Median Age 44.1
  5. 2.5 per Houshold
  6. Poverty Rate 21.7%
  7. 95.8% of the residents in Camp Verde, AZ are U.S. citizens.
  8. Hispanic Population 17%
  9. Median Property Value $286,700
  10. Homeownership rate was 76.3%.
  11. 4,595 Number of households
  12. Employed Population 4,861
  13. Average commute time was 23.2 minutes.
  14. The most common job groups, by number of people living in Camp Verde, AZ, are Sales & Related Occupations (795 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (773 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (626 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Camp Verde, AZ.

Camp Verde sources:
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/camp-verde-az/
Camp Verde, AZ – Profile data – Census Reporter


What unique actions has the City of Sedona taken that set it apart from the City of Cottonwood and the Town of Camp Verde?


In 2013, the City of Sedona increased the sales tax and established a no-bid contract with the regional Sedona Chamber of Commerce. This agreement allocated 55% of the city’s bed taxes without restrictions to the Chamber and its members.

The City of Sedona has invested millions of public funds into an NGO that purports to function as a Tourism Bureau. However, the membership distribution of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce largely extends beyond the city limits and is not limited to the tourism sector. This investment was made without any restriction’s contracts of assets on the use of public money.
Tourism has not seen any improvement under the tourism-first agenda, and the situation for residents has remained stagnant.

Tourism First Agenda
City of Sedona Population & Tourism
1997-population 9,760 Tourism = 3.5m
2020-population 9,684 Tourism = 3.5m
Source: Sedona Community Profiles

In 2017, the Sedona City Council approved a new “Sunset” half-cent sales tax with a vote of 6-1. This revenue was earmarked to fund approximately $35 million in traffic mitigation construction over the following decade. In 2021, the City Council transitioned this sunset tax into a permanent sales tax increase.

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Donna Joy ~ 
A retired Entrepeneur, Creator, Business owner, Culinary Artist, Chef & Chief Operating Disruptor. 

♥ Donna Joy
donna@donnajoys.com