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Introduction to Yuma, Arizona
The Arizona city of Yuma, county seat of Yuma County, lies in the extreme southwest corner of the state just a few miles from the borders of California and Mexico. Framed by rugged mountains, the city is situated just below the meeting point of the Colorado and Gila rivers. There are no big cities close to Yuma, the nearest being over three hours away. Phoenix is about 175 miles to the east and San Diego California about the same distance away in the opposite direction. Yuma is connected to both by Interstate I-8 which is one of two main arteries running through the city, the other being U.S. Route 95.
Having gone under the names of both Colorado City and Arizona City, Yuma was named for the Yuma Indians. The Yumas are actually a composite of three local tribes (the Quechans, Cocopahs, and Mohaves), who according to legend built fires in the belief that rain would come to the area (the native word "uma" translates to "fire"). Yuma today is a large agricultural community and has grown to be one of the state's most important cities. The military is also a prominent factor in the city owing to the dual presence of the Marine Corps Air Station and the Yuma Proving Grounds, an Army test site.
Yuma Points of Interest
A wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities awaits visitors to Yuma, which is also rich in historic and cultural sites. The historical Yuma Territorial Prison, which accepted its first inmate back in 1876, is now operated as a historical museum. The Yuma Crossing State Historic Park houses 6 restored and 6 replicated buildings commemorating the cultural and educational development of western history along its 9 acres of winding pathways. The Historic Yuma Theatre features original film screenings, community theater productions, and Saturday children's matinees, as well as jazz festivals, art symposiums, educational workshops, and many special events. The Yuma Ballet Theatre & Performing Arts Company stages a wide assortment of artistic presentations and fully staged dance concerts annually. The Fort Yuma-Quechan Museum, formerly part of one of the oldest military posts associated with the Arizona Territory, houses tribal relics of the Quechan Tribe. The Century House Museum, one of Yuma's oldest and most historic buildings, exhibits artifacts, photographs and furnishings of Arizona's territorial period. Fans of the visual arts will appreciate the Yuma Fine Arts Museum, recognized as one of the Southwest's major art museums. Yuma is also home to the Marine Corps Air Station, which stages an annual air show along with many large-scale military exercises. Gaming fans and occasional gamblers don't have to go far to visit a casino. There are two in the area: The Cocopah Casino and the Paradise Casino.
Yuma also celebrates a number of annual events and festivals. Some of these are:
Yuma sports fans were recently pleased to learn that a new professional baseball team will be in town as of early 2007. The Yuma Scorpions will be playing in a newly-formed instructional league administered by the independent Golden Baseball League (GBL). The league will play its games prior to the GBL summer season and will be staffed with the summer season's instructors and managers.
Comparing Yuma to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Arizona (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Children Under 5 Years Old |  |  |
| Male Share of the Population | | |
| Racial Diversity |  | |
| Senior Citizens | |  |
| Age of the Population |  |  |
| Female Share of the Population | | |
| Well-Paid Single Men | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Average Household Size | | |
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| People Above Poverty | |  |
| College Educated Adults |  | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| People Living Alone | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Property Crime | | |
| Low Violent Crime | | |
Detailed pages on related topics: Yuma colleges • Yuma travel • Yuma mortgages and property.
 | Yuma Careers Yuma career and employment information. |
 | Yuma Colleges Yuma colleges and trade schools. |
 | Yuma Hotels & Travel Yuma hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Yuma Mortgage Yuma property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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