Flagstaff Community information, real estate, realtors

Flagstaff, located at the intersection of Interstate 17 and l-40, is the largest city and is the regional center of northern Arizona. It is the county seat for Coconino County, the second largest county in the 48 contiguous states, with 12 million acres. Flagstaff, at 7,000 feet, is one of the highest U.S. cities and its breath-taking backdrop is even higher. The community sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona's highest point at 12,633 feet.

Flagstaff is a year-round mecca for visitors. Many Arizonans maintain second homes here. Summer temperatures average 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix which is 146 miles south on Interstate 17. In winter there is skiing, ice skating and hunting.

Flagstaff has long been a transportation hub. Located along an old wagon road to California, Flagstaff began after the railroad arrived in 1881. Today the town links 1-40 to l-17, Highway 89 to Page and Utah, and Highway 180 to the Grand Canyon. Historic Route 66 passes through Flagstaff.

Flagstaff's name comes from a tall pine tree made into a flag pole in 1876 to celebrate the Declaration of Independence Centennial.

Flagstaff is a governmental, educational, transportation, cultural and commercial center. Tourism is a major source of employment. Traditional economic activities continue to employ people.

New scientific and high tech research and development industries have located in Flagstaff. Approximately 16,000 students attend Northern Arizona University. More than 100,000 people do business in Flagstaff, both in the historic downtown area and at several shopping centers. Most of Flagstaff is a designated Enterprise Zone.

Flagstaff and the surrounding area are abundant with attractions. The Grand Canyon is the top area attraction with some 5 million visitors annually. Other popular sites nearby are the dormant volcanos at Sunset Crater National Monument, the Indian ruins at Wupatki and Walnut Canyon, Meteor Crater (the world's largest), Oak Creek's red rock canyons and Monument Valley. The San Francisco Peaks attract people all year. Aspen forests sport bright yellow colors in the fall and wild flowers appear each spring. In winter, there is abundant snow.

Many recreational activities are found in the city itself. Lowell Observatory, with both historic and modern telescopes, is open to the public. The planet Pluto was discovered at the observatory. The Museum of Northern Arizona features Native American displays. Riordan State Park features a mansion built by two brothers prominent in the lumber industry. Flagstaff's locales also attract the film and still photography industry. Flagstaff Winterfest is held annually to celebrate that season.

Community and Cultural Facilities. There are two museums, 10 art galleries, a symphony orchestra, six recreation centers, three libraries, 29 parks, two swimming pools, one public and two private golf courses, an ice skating/roller rink, 16 tennis courts, two bowling alleys, one skeet-and-trap facility, 17 indoor theater screens, and one ski resort.

Communication. Flagstaff has a daily newspaper, The Arizona Daily Sun, and several weekly/bi-weekly papers. There are three local television stations and several radio stations. Cable television is available in most areas of the city.

Educational. Flagstaff has 12 public elementary schools, two middle schools, three high schools and many private and charter schools. The city is home to Northern Arizona University with a graduate college and 11 undergraduate colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Communications, Ecosystem Science and Management, Engineering and Technology, Education, Health Professions, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Museum Facility of Fine Arts, Performing Arts, and Social and Behavorial Sciences.

Medical. Flagstaff has an extensive array of medical facilities and resources in the areas of traditional, integrative and alternative healthcare. Flagstaff Medical Center is the Northern Arizona region-al referral center for trauma, cancer, rehabilitation, cardiac cath, high-risk maternal/fetal, MRI/CT scan, and more. More than 148 physicians are on active staff at the hospital, representing 36 medical specialties.

Financial. There are 13 financial institutions (banks and credit unions) with 22 local branch offices. Also, Flagstaff businesses are eligible for assistance in financing fixed assets through the Finance Division, Arizona Department of Commerce. Information on private activity bonds within the city may be obtained from the same source or from the Industrial Development Authority of Coconino County.

Governmental. The City of Flagstaff is governed by a mayor, six council members and a city manager. There also is a police department, sheriff's department and fire department.

Airport. Flagstaff residents use the Pulliam Airport (2.5 miles south), with a 7,000-foot runway. Approximately daily flights to Phoenix are available.

Industrial Properties. Seven parks and parcels varying in acreage are available. Contact: Greater Flagstaff Economic Council, (520) 779-7658

Lodging and Meeting Facilities. The are more than 4,900 rooms available in 67 hotels with several meeting facilities, the largest seating 600 persons. Flagstaff also offers two youth hostels, seven RV parks will 855 spaces, and more that 16 bed and breakfast inns.

	1980	1990	1998
Flagstaff	34,641	45,857	59,945
Coconino County	75,008	96,591	121,625
Arizona	2,716,546	3,665,228	4,764,025

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