Tombstone is one of the most famous mining towns in the United States. In the 1870s, prospector Ed Schieffelin left Fort Huachuca in search of silver in the heavily populated Apache territory. He was told all he would find was his tombstone and the Native Americans would never let him return. Thus, he named his first silver mine Tombstone, which became the town name. The town was notorious for saloons, gambling houses and the Earp-Clanton shootout at the O.K. Corral. Tombstone grew quickly and was known as the most cultivated city in the west, but this boom town came to an end in 1911. In the 1930s, Tombstone survived the Great Depression and the shifting of the county seat to Bisbee to become known as the “Town Too Tough To Die.”
Tombstone’s economy has changed drastically since its days as a mining town. The town's colorful history is the key factor for steady growth. In 1962, the Department of the Interior designated the Tombstone Historic District a National Historic Landmark District. A restoration zone was established and a commission organized for the preservation of its landmarks. Tourism is a mainstay of the economy. The mild year-round climate and low humidity make Tombstone an attractive place for retirement.
Cochise County, including Tombstone, is the site of a fascinating chapter in American history. It was home to the Apaches, Chief Cochise and Chief Geronimo. Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Huachuca and the 1877 Calvary Post Museum preserve Native American and pioneer heritage. Tombstone’s historic buildings include the courthouse built in 1882 that now serves as a state park. Other historic buildings include the Rose Tree Museum, three churches, Bird Cage Theater, Crystal Palace Saloon and Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. Daily stagecoach tours are offered of historic Tombstone. Tombstone’s early days are re-enacted in October during the Helldorado Celebration. Daily shows depict the town's western heritage at the O.K. Corral, Helldorado Town and Six Gun City.
Tombstone offers a wide range of community facilities including a library, four museums, three parks, two lighted tennis courts, a swimming pool and a lighted baseball field.
| Founded | 1879 | Incorporated | 1881 |
| Elevation | 4,540 ft. | Location | Cochise County |
| Phoenix | 181 miles | San Diego | 478 miles |
| Tucson | 70 miles | Los Angeles | 556 miles |
| Las Vegas | 477 miles |
| 2000 | 2010 | 2023 (est.) | |
| Tombstone | 1,504 | 1,381 | 1,313 |
| Cochise County | 117,755 | 131,436 | 126,463 |
| State of Arizona | 5,130,632 | 6,401,569 | 7,285,370 |
Office of Economic Opportunity
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
| Tombstone | 3.50% |
| Cochise County | 0.50% |
| State | 5.60% |
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
| 2000 | 2010 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian Labor Force | 732 | 564 | 493 |
| Unemployed | 22 | 30 | 21 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.3% | 4.3% |
Office of Economic Opportunity
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 71 | 7.1% |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 296 | 29.6% |
| Some college or Associate degree | 481 | 48.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree | 152 | 15.2% |
American Community Survey
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 95 | 21.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services | 71 | 15.9% |
| Retail trade | 69 | 15.4% |
| Education, health care & social assistance | 50 | 11.2% |
| Transportation, warehousing, & utilities | 42 | 9.4% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 35 | 7.8% |
| Construction | 22 | 4.9% |
| Information | 22 | 4.9% |
| Professional, scientific, & administrative services | 19 | 4.3% |
| Other services, except public administration | 14 | 3.1% |
| Manufacturing | 8 | 1.8% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining | 0 | 0.0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0.0% |
American Community Survey
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact: