Population & demographics

CENSUS 2020

Cochise County's population in 2020 was 125,447, down 4.5% from 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau (Census 2020). It was the third largest decline of Arizona counties, following La Paz (-19.2%) and Apache (-7.7 percent). Statewide, Arizona's population grew by 11.9% making it the 9th fastest-growing state in the nation over the decade (with Maricopa County accounting for 80% of the gains).

In Census 2020, Benson overtook Bisbee as Cochise County's third largest municipality (after Sierra Vista and Douglas). Bisbee's population dropped below 5,000 for the first time since 1950.

Census 2020 official population numbers (and changes since Census 2010) for municipalities in Cochise County are:

• Benson: 5,355 (+4.9%)
• Bisbee: 4,923 (-11.7%)
• Douglas: 16,534 (-4.9%)
• Huachuca City: 1,626 (-12.3%)
• Sierra Vista: 45,308 (+3.2%)
• Tombstone: 1,308 (-5.2%)
• Willcox: 3,213 (-14.5%)

ANNUAL ESTIMATES

As of July 1, 2025, Cochise County's population was 129,042, up by 3,324 people or 2.6% from July 1, 2020, according to estimates from Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. All municipalities saw population growth over the 5-year period except Douglas, which saw the population fall by 1.1% or 187 residents, and Huachuca City, where the population declined by 0.6% or 10 people. The fastest population growth of Cochise County’s municipalities from 2020 to 2025 was Tombstone, which saw a 7.5% increase in population with the addition of 98 new residents. That was followed by Benson, which grew by 4.3% or 232 new residents. Sierra Vista, the county’s largest municipality, added the most new residents since 2020 at 389 for population growth of 0.9%. Elsewhere, Willcox saw the population increase by 1.3% or 42 people while Bisbee grew by 0.6% or 31 residents. The combined unincorporated areas of Cochise County saw population grow by 2,729 new residents or 5.8% from 2020 to 2025. 

See spreadsheets, below, for annual Cochise County, city, and town population counts and estimates.

• According to recent projections from Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, Cochise County’s population, estimated at 129,042 in 2025, is projected to edge up slightly to 129,091 in 2026 before beginning a gradual decline. By 2030, the population is projected to reach 128,494, a short-term loss of 548 residents, or 0.4%, from the 2025 estimate. The decline becomes more pronounced over the longer term, with the county projected to have 120,476 residents in 2060. That represents a loss of 8,566 residents, or 6.6%, over 35 years. The projections therefore suggest relative stability in the immediate future, followed by a slow but sustained contraction.
• Municipalities follow varied trajectories. Tombstone is the principal exception to the broader pattern of decline, increasing from an estimated 1,408 residents in 2025 to 1,487 in 2030 and 1,850 in 2060. This equates to projected growth of 5.6% by 2030 and 31.4% by 2060. Sierra Vista is also comparatively stable in the short term, rising slightly from an estimated 45,838 residents in 2025 to 45,873 in 2030 after peaking at 45,944 in 2028. Its population is projected to decline to 44,230 by 2060, only 3.5% below the 2025 estimate.
• The other municipalities are projected to lose population. Bisbee experiences the sharpest long-term percentage decline, falling from an estimated 4,954 residents in 2025 to 4,751 in 2030 and 3,472 in 2060—a 29.9% decrease. Huachuca City and Willcox are projected to decline by 17.9% and 17.4%, respectively, by 2060. Benson falls from 5,589 to 4,972, while Douglas declines from 16,347 to 14,630. The unincorporated balance of the county remains relatively stable through 2030, decreasing only from an estimated 50,035 to 49,915, but reaches 47,306 by 2060, a long-term decline of 5.5%.
• The county’s larger census-designated places are projected to remain nearly unchanged in the short term. From their 2025 estimates to 2030, each declines by only about 0.2% to 0.3%. Sierra Vista Southeast, the largest Cochise County CDP, falls from an estimated 15,301 residents to 15,264 by 2030; Whetstone declines from 3,432 to 3,424. By 2060, however, all eight CDPs with a population of 500 or more are projected to be approximately 5.4% to 5.5% below their 2025 estimates. Sierra Vista Southeast records the largest numerical reduction, reaching 14,467, while Whetstone falls to 3,245. Overall, the CDP projections indicate broad stability through 2030 and a consistent, moderate decline thereafter. 

See spreadsheets, below, for Cochise County, city, town, and place population projections.