Livability

The City of Safford is located in the Upper Gila River Valley in the southeast corner of Arizona where San Simon River and the Gila River, meet. It is situated approximately 160 highway miles east of Phoenix and 125 miles northeast of Tucson.

Safford’s residents are proud of their community, and their pride shows. In 1999 and 2000 Safford was one of only 30 communities in the United States named an “All American City” finalist by the National Civic League.

Another source of pride for Safford residents are our schools. Safford High School, Safford Middle School, Mt. Graham High School, our three primary schools, and two charter schools provide our children with an excellent learning environment. Nearby Eastern Arizona College and Northern Arizona University’s extension campus offer a variety of degree and certification programs.

Housing is available in all styles and price ranges. Unique historic properties abound in the older residential areas of the city. Many Safford area builders specialize in the very latest in innovative energy-conserving construction techniques. Safford’s many inviting neighborhoods are conveniently located near shopping, churches, schools, and community services.

The Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center is a fully accredited 59-bed hospital with a full range of medical specialties. Unlike many small communities, Safford enjoys the services of many dedicated medical professionals.


Business and Employment Opportunities

According to the Arizona Department of Commerce, the Safford area has become the retail trade and service center for a regional population of more than 65,000 people. The population base includes Graham and Greenlee Counties, eastern Gila County and northern Cochise County, the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and communities in southwestern New Mexico.

As county seat of Graham County, Safford is the location of the county courts and administrative operations. The City of Safford, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service and Safford School District also provide employment in the public sector. Two state prisons and one federal prison in the Safford vicinity are major employers.

Safford was founded as an agricultural community, and the growing of cotton and alfalfa, as well as cattle ranching, continue to play an important role in the local economy.

There is substantial employment in a wide variety of retail and service businesses, as well as some light manufacturing. Due, in part, to the relative isolation of Safford from the major metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson, the community has developed a larger mix of retail and service enterprises than is found in other rural communities of comparable size.

Local employment and business receives a substantial boost from the Phelps-Dodge Morenci, Inc. copper operation in neighboring Greenlee County. In addition to providing direct employment, Phelps-Dodge’s operation utilizes local retail and service businesses, and makes a significant contribution to community service programs.

Phelps-Dodge is also in the development stages of another copper mining project that will be located eight miles north of Safford. 350 full-time workers will be employed once the project is fully operational.


Progress Amid a Strong Sense of Tradition

Land Use Policy

The City of Safford is a community of diverse interests and background interwoven together by a rich cultural and economic heritage. It is a forward-looking community that maintains the small town values of neighborliness and mutual support.

Safford’s General Plan provides a framework designed to achieve sustainable growth and development.

Freshwater System

Throughout the Sunbelt, water is the most precious resource. A well thought out water use policy is paramount to a City’s sustained growth. The City of Safford understands this and is investing the necessary resources to ensure that there are sufficient resources today and for the generations to come.

Reclamation a Key to Water Conservation

The wastewater reclamation plant (WRP) project presents Gila Resources with the opportunity to convert a liability into an asset. The new WRP will produce reclamation water that is a valuable resource that can be productively reused, not at waste that needs to be disposed of. Reclaimed water will be a key element is Safford Utilities’ water resource portfolio.

The $14 million project includes the construction of a new “state of the art” treatment facility and about 10 miles of new sewer lines designed to expand the Safford service area. Key elements that will guide this project include businesslike utility operation, capacity for current and long-term future needs, reusable water resources and environmental excellence.


Recreation Opportunies Abound

Safford lies in the heart of one of the most highly natural environments in the state. Every year the area attracts a myriad of visitors including hikers, photographers, birders, campers, hunters and fishermen, off-road vehicle enthusiasts, horseback riders, and countless other outdoor enthusiasts.

One group of visitors unique to the Safford area, however, is star gazers. Nearby Mt. Graham is the site of the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), the world’s largest land based telescope. On the same site are the radio telescopes of the Vatican and the Mt. Graham International Observatory. At Discovery Park in Safford is the 20” telescope of the Gov Aker Observatory and a world class astronomy museum.

Among the many outdoor attractions are:

The Gila Box National Conservation Area - This unique wild and scenic area is located approximately 10 miles east of Safford at the confluence of the Gila River and Bonita Creek. The Gila Box was designated in 1991 by Congress as a special natural area. The Bonita Creek section of the Box is popular for picnicking and birding and is lined with large cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows.

The Gila River section is comprised of mesquite woodlands, mature cottonwood trees, sandy beaches, and grand buff-colored cliffs. This area is commonly frequented by inflatable kayak, canoe and rafting enthusiasts. In the summer, fishing is a popular activity while hiking and camping are popular in the fall.

Natural Hot Springs – Thousands of visitors each year enjoy the Safford area’s many natural hot springs. A number of private spas built around these springs offer quiet revitalizing retreats year-round.

Mt. Graham Recreational Area- Rising majestically from the desert floor at an elevation of 3000 ft, to an elevation of over 10,000 feet, Mt. Graham is not only a haven for astronomers, but also hikers, picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The area is a summer paradise for metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson and issues and average of over 300,000 day-use and camping permits from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend. The recreational area provides 73 different hiking trails with a combined length of 300 miles, along with sixteen improved campground sites. There are also numerous opportunities for disbursed day-use and overnight camping.


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