Somerton is located in the fertile Yuma Valley about 12 miles south of Yuma at an elevation of 103 feet. The city is approximately 12 miles from the Mexican border and 180 miles east of San Diego. Somerton is located on both sides of U.S. Highway 95 (Main Street), and Somerton Avenue runs north and south through the city. The area is bounded by Cocopah Indian Reservations (east and west). Somerton was established in 1898 and incorporated in 1918. The population has doubled during the last ten years reaching 15,000.

Somerton has a long history of overcoming physical and economic adversity. Early settlers had to prevail over the Colorado River floods in order to realize the tremendous potential of the area's agricultural lands. This potential was the driving force for the establishment of the Somerton School District in 1902, and the paving of Main Street in 1917. The downtown business district survived a huge fire in 1926 and was able to continue as a major economic influence in Yuma County until the early 1960s. Somerton, with a rich heritage and culture, has a downtown redevelopment plan that offers a package of incentives for businesses that locate in the downtown area or existing businesses that need to upgrade their premises.

Principal Economic Activities

Agriculture, medical services and tourism are the primary economic activities in the local economy. Retail activity continues to grow along with the population. Somerton’s small-town-feel, its historic downtown and its culture are unique, and visitors from all over the Yuma Region enjoy coming to the many special events offered throughout the year. The city’s location between two major population areas running through U.S. 95, Yuma to the north and San Luis, Arizona, and San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico, to the south, makes Somerton an ideal location for special events and entertainment venues.

Scenic Attractions

Somerton is the native region of the Cocopah Nation, which is a large employer with seven different entertainment, lodging and cultural attractions: The Cocopah Casino, The Cocopah Resort & Conference Center, The Cocopah Rio Colorado Golf Course, The Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center, Cocopah RV and Golf Resort, Cocopah Speedway and Wild River Family Entertainment Center. Somerton is a community that honors its cultural diversity and heritage, and more than 30,000 people flock to Somerton for the annual Tamale Festival every year in December.

Community Facilities

The city of Somerton offers many recreational and educational activities to its residents and visitors through its parks and recreation program and community services. The community center includes the Somerton Heritage Pool, gymnasium and YMCA Youth Center, Valle del Desierto Senior Center, Somerton Cultural Center, baseball fields, Main Street Ball Park, Joe Muños Muncipal Park and other parks with playgrounds and ramadas. It is the mission of the Somerton Parks and Recreation Department to enhance the quality of recreational activities offered and the attractiveness of parks and facilities to provide a better quality of life to its residents.