Show Low, the business hub and marketing center of the White Mountains and northeastern Arizona, was founded in 1870 and incorporated in 1953. The city is roughly 175 miles northeast of Phoenix and 190 miles north of Tucson at an elevation of 6,331 feet in the southern Navajo County. Show Low was named after a marathon poker game played between two early settlers, C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark. They decided there wasn’t enough room for both of them in the community and agreed to let a card game decide who would get the 100,000-acre ranch and who would move on. According to the story, Clark said, "If you can show low, you win." Cooley turned up the two of clubs and replied, "show low it is."

Show Low has a quality workforce built on an excellent education system. Show Low is home to Northland Pioneer College and a branch campus of Northern Arizona University. Show Low has a significant medical infrastructure anchored by Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center. Additionally, Show Low has the only airport in northeastern Arizona offering commercial service. Boutique Air services Show Low Regional Airport and offers daily non-stop flights to Phoenix.

Principal Economic Activities

The value-added forest products and tourism industries are the traditional pillars of the Show Low economy. Other industries include aviation and light manufacturing, medical advancement and services and entrepreneurship. Show Low is the largest city in northeastern Arizona and the shopping hub for a trade area population of nearly 140,000. Additionally, Show Low has the only airport in northeastern Arizona offering commercial service. Southern Airways Express services Show Low Regional Airport and offers daily non-stop flights to Phoenix.

Scenic Attractions

Show Low sits within a 2,000,000-acre National Forest playground. The area is famous for world class hunting, fishing and camping. These forests produced the current world-record typical elk. The area’s 50 lakes and streams produced current state record fish for six different species. Skiing and snowboarding are available only 36 miles from Show Low at Sunrise Park Resort. The Show Low and White Mountains Trail Systems are the pride of the community and provide more than 120 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Show Low features seven area golf courses including championship courses at Torreon Golf Club and Bison Golf and Country Club.

Community Facilities

The city of Show Low has a broad range of community facilities including a library, historical and art museums, movie theaters, two championship golf courses, an indoor aquatic center and picnic areas. The city encompasses nearly 100 acres of city-owned parks with tennis, basketball and racquetball courts as well as baseball, softball and soccer fields. The city encompasses nearly 100 acres of city-owned parks with tennis, basketball, pickleball and racquetball courts as well as baseball, softball and soccer fields. Show Low hosts the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra and many community events throughout the year including Show Low BBQ Throwdown, Show Low Days, the Fourth of July Freedom Fest, Show Low Farmer’s Market & Art Walk, Medieval Mayhem Renaissance Faire, Derby Down the Deuce, Show Low Battle of the Bands, Show Low Film Festival and several triathlons and bike races.”

Basic Information

Founded 1870 Incorporated 1953
Elevation 6,331 ft. Location Navajo County
     
Distance to major cities:
Phoenix 175 miles San Diego 532 miles
Tucson 195 miles Los Angeles 549 miles
Las Vegas 389 miles  

Population

2000 2010 2023 (est.)
Show Low 7,695 10,666 11,966
Navajo County 97,470 107,677 107,748
State of Arizona 5,130,632 6,401,569 7,285,370

Office of Economic Opportunity

Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation

SALES TAX / TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX

Show Low 2.00%
Navajo County 0.50%
State 5.60%

Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation

Labor Force

2000 2010 2022
Civilian Labor Force 3,319 4,744 4,795
Unemployed 116 500 200
Unemployment Rate 3.5% 10.5% 4.2%

Office of Economic Opportunity

Workforce Education Attainment

Count Share
Less than high school 606 8.0%
High school or equivalent, no college 1,645 21.6%
Some college or Associate degree 3,146 41.4%
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree 2,208 29.0%

American Community Survey

Industry (ranked by employment)

  Count Share
Education, health care & social assistance 1,192 27.6%
Retail trade 816 18.9%
Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services 496 11.5%
Construction 323 7.5%
Professional, scientific, & administrative services 266 6.2%
Other services, except public administration 264 6.1%
Public administration 241 5.6%
Finance, insurance & real estate 228 5.3%
Manufacturing 171 4.0%
Transportation, warehousing, & utilities 107 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining 86 2.0%
Information 71 1.6%
Wholesale trade 61 1.4%

American Community Survey

This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact:

City of Show Low
Steve North
180 N 9th St.
Show Low, AZ 85901
Phone: 928-532-4124
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ci.show-low.az.us
Navajo County Economic Development
Glenn Kephart
100 E. Code Talkers Drive, South Highway 777, P.O. Box 668
PO Box 668
Holbrook, AZ 86025
Phone: 928-524-4112
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.navajocountyaz.gov
Show Low Regional Chamber
of Commerce

Jimmy Applegate
81 E. Deuce of Clubs
Show Low, AZ 85901
Phone: 928-537-2326
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.showlowchamber.com


Local First Arizona
407 E. Roosevelt St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-956-0909
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.localfirstaz.com
Arizona Commerce Authority
Statewide Economic Development Group
100 N. 7th Ave., Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-845-1200
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.azcommerce.com



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