Kingman growth misses 8,000 by a whisker
 City population now 28,068 - up by 7,999 since 2000 census
 
Suzanne Adams
Kingman Daily Miner
 
KINGMAN - Thursday's official 2010 census results not only showed that Mohave County exceeded the population mark for five supervisors, but that the population had grown to 200,186, approximately 6,000 more than the estimates that were printed in Wednesday's Miner.

Most of the population growth occurred in the three major metropolitan areas of the county. Kingman grew by 7,999 from 20,069 to 28,068. Bullhead City saw its population climb from 33,852 to 39,540. However, Lake Havasu City still remains the largest city in the county. Its population jumped from 41,859 in 2000 to 52,527 in 2010.

The unincorporated areas of the county also saw an increase in population. Golden Valley's population increased from 4,587 in 2000 to 8,370. The number of Dolan Springs residents increased from 1,924 to 2,033. The Peach Springs population grew from 786 in 2000 to 1,090.

The northern reaches of Mohave County also saw growth. Colorado City grew from 3,614 to 4,821.

The north Kingman/Butler area was one of the few locations that saw a drop in population. According to census figures, the Butler area lost nearly 3,000 people, dropping from 15,102 in 2000 to 12,134 in 2010.

The census also added a number of towns in Mohave County to its count. New this year are Chloride with a population of 271, Hackberry with 68, Meadview with 1,224 and Oatman with 135.

The move to five supervisor districts will have a major impact on the county. The Board has already approved spending $130,000 to have a consulting firm redraw the supervisor, community college, justice of the peace and Western Arizona Vocational Education Joint Technical Education District boards.

The board is trying to get the new districts drawn up and approved as fast as possible so those residents wanting to run for office in 2012 will know which district they're running in, said Board Chairman Buster Johnson.

But the cost may go beyond that, Johnson said. The county will also have to pay for the staff and office space for five supervisors. He said he didn't believe there was enough office space in the county administration buildings to house two additional supervisors.

Expansion panned

Johnson also said he didn't think it was necessary to expand from three to five supervisors. The county is small enough that three can run it, he said.

"I'm not sure what better service we could offer the public by moving to five supervisors," he said.

District I Supervisor Gary Watson said he's been advocating for five supervisors for some time. A five-member Board would allow at least two supervisors to meet to discuss agenda items before a Board meeting without breaking Open Meetings Laws, he said.

District II Supervisor Tom Sockwell said he was waiting until the new districts were drawn before commenting on the situation.

General Plan impacted

The effect of Thursday's numbers extends beyond moving to five members on the County Board of Supervisors. The county may have to add to the General Plan.

According to Arizona Revised Statute 11-821, counties having populations of more than 200,000 people have to include in the general plan an open space acquisition and preservation element; an environmental planning element that should address natural resources, water and air quality; a cost of development element; and planning for growth areas.

The county revised parts of the general plan last year.

The census numbers will also effect how much funding and aid the state, county and city will get and how it will be disbursed. The federal government, as well as the state and several charitable organizations, use census figures to determine which areas have the most need for housing, roads, health care and other needs.
 
KingmanDailyMiner.com
Originally published March 13, 2011
 
Back