The city is most known for its beautiful sandstone formations, which make the perfect site for outdoor activities.
Sedona Population Growth
Sedona in its earliest years saw very slow growth, but those numbers have climbed quite a bit since 1970. The population exceeded 5,000 in 1980 and had nearly doubled by the 2000 census. In 2010, the population dropped slightly but remained over 10,000. Recent estimates show that the population is up 3.6% from the last poll, indicating that growth may continue. However, a lack of undeveloped land may prohibit the city from seeing any substantial growth in the future.
Sedona has been inhabited as far back as 11,500 BC. Throughout its earliest history, many tribes have lived in the area, including the Sinagua people, the Yavapai people, and the Apache Indians. The latter two tribes were removed from the area in 1876. However, several hundred returned at the beginning of the 20th century.
The first white settler came to the region in 1876, the same year that the tribes were removed. Settlers soon followed that established farms and ranches in the area. In the early 20th century, Sedona’s first post office was established.
Sedona was officially founded in 1902. It wasn’t incorporated until 1988. When white settlers arrived in the area, growth was quite slow. In the 1950s, there were just 155 people listed in the city’s phone book. Growth was so slow that some parts of the city did not even receive electricity until the 1960s.
However, it was also the 1950s when Sedona saw a significant increase in tourism. Many people came to Sedona particularly for the sandstone formations, which have been used for mountain biking, hiking, nature walks, and spiritual retreats. These sandstone formations are so impressive that they have been featured in many Hollywood films. Many vacation homes were constructed, and Sedona also became a place where many people came to retire. Construction boomed during the 1980s and 1990s, and today, there is not much undeveloped land within the 19.07 square miles of the city limits.
Today, the city is a center for culture. It hosts many events and festivals each year and has multiple centers for arts. The population has grown more quickly in recent years, according to census data.