Figure 5. Population Growth in Flagstaff, 1890-2000. The population of Flagstaff grew slowly between 1890 and the early 1900s, but urban growth was rampant in the area during the mid-20th century. Between 1950 and 1960, Flagstaff’s population grew 138 percent from approximately 7,500 people in 1950 to approximately 18,000 in 1960. Urban growth was mainly due to the growth of Northern Arizona University and federal economic policy of providing dollars for growth in stable, well-paying government jobs. The Arizona Department of Economic Security projects that Flagstaff’s population is expected to gain approximately 1,000 people per year for the next 50 years.
Sources: Arizona Department of Economic Security and U.S. Census Bureau.
