Prescott is a city located in Yavapai County, Arizona. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 33,938. The city is the county seat of Yavapai County, and was the original capital of the Arizona Territory from 1863 until the Territorial Capital was moved to Tucson in 1867. Prescott again became the Territorial Capital in 1877, until the capital was changed to Phoenix, Arizona in 1889. Although usually pronounced pres-KOT by outsiders, locals pronounce it as PRES-kit.

The towns of Prescott Valley (7 miles south) and Chino Valley (16 miles north), and Prescott, together make up the area known locally as "tri-city". The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe reservation is located next to, and partially within, the borders of Prescott.

Geography

Prescott is located at 34°34'6" North, 112°27'41" West (34.568210, -112.461482)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 96.6 km² (37.3 mi²). 96.0 km² (37.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.64% water.

Prescott is located in the Bradshaw Mountains of central Arizona, at an altitude of 5400'. The town has a 4-season climate with relatively mild winters. Average annual precipitation is 19.32"; average snowfall is 25.4".

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 33,938 people, 15,098 households, and 8,968 families residing in the city. The population density is 353.5/km² (915.6/mi²). There are 17,144 housing units at an average density of 178.6/km² (462.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.93% White, 0.50% Black or African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. 8.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 15,098 households out of which 18.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% are married couples living together, 7.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% are non-families. 32.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.11 and the average family size is 2.62.

In the city the population is spread out with 15.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 18.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 26.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 48 years. For every 100 females there are 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,446, and the median income for a family is $46,481. Males have a median income of $31,834 versus $22,982 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,565. 13.1% of the population and 7.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Attractions

Prescott is home to the historical area known as "Whiskey Row". Whiskey Row runs north and south on N. Montezuma between Gurley and E. Goodwin St., directly west of the county courthouse. The row has been the home of the St. Michael's Hotel and the Palace Hotel since the late 1800's along with more colorful purveyors of night-life.

The movie, Junior Bonner was filmed in Prescott at the Palace Hotel.

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