Duncan is located beside the beautiful Gila River in historic Greenlee County and five miles from the New Mexico border. The U.S. Highway 70, or the Old West Highway, is the major route through Duncan. Duncan connects with Clifton, the county seat, and Morenci, a major copper-producing town, via State Route 75. Founded in 1883 alongside the Union Pacific Railroad, Duncan is named after James Duncan Smith, a director of the Scottish-based Arizona Copper Company. Duncan is now a small town ideally suited for families and retirees. The Arizona Copper Company became Phelps Dodge and was acquired by Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold in 2007.

Principal Economic Activities

Duncan is in the heart of Greenlee County's principal agricultural area, the verdant and fertile Duncan Valley. Some 10,000 acres are under irrigation and produce about 5,000 bales of cotton annually. Other crops are grains, potatoes, melons and chilies. Cattle continues to play an important role in the economy, both on dairy farms and cattle ranches. The commercial sector consists of small retail and service establishments that include Hilda’s Market, a pizzeria (Humble Pie), Duncan Farm and Garden Center, Simpson Hotel and a grocery store. Mining is also significant to the economy.

Scenic Attractions

The Old West Highway provides a historic and scenic drive through the nearby towns of Safford, Clifton and Morenci. The Lazy B Ranch is home to the largest fire-agate field in the nation. The Lazy B Ranch was the childhood home of Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Surrounding hills are covered with geodes and other rocks to satisfy the most avid rockhound. Duncan offers several hiking trails and bird watching areas. Native American writings and other artifacts can be found in many of the box canyons and cliffs in the area. Also nearby is Swift Trail, which goes through the Pinaleño Mountains, capped by Mt. Graham at an elevation of 10,700 feet. The scenic Coronado Trail in the Apache National Forest is nearby, as well as Morenci's open pit mines and Clifton’s historic Chase Creek. Hunting and fishing are popular pastimes.

Community Facilities

Duncan has a library, parks, municipal swimming pool, senior center, golf course, numerous tennis courts and a visitor center/country chic store. School facilities include volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball fields and tennis courts. Duncan offers stables and roping arenas. Events include Spring Rampage (a rodeo and roping event), bicycling competitions and the Greenlee County Fair. Duncan is home to the Duncan Pride Society Museum and the famous Hal Empie paintings.