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Yuma County has a colorful history, which lives on today in a fast-growing, vibrant community. Saddle up for a quick ride through one of the most interesting places in the United States.
In 1540, just 48 years after Columbus discovered the New World, 18 years after the conquest of Mexico by Cortez, and 67 years before the settlement of Jamestown, Hernando de Alarcon visited the site of what is now the current City of Yuma. He was the first European to visit the area and to recognize the best natural crossing of the Colorado River. Much of Yuma County’s later development occurred because of this strategic location.
For many years, Yuma served as the gateway to the new western territory of California, which brought thousands from around the world in search of gold, or those who had it. In 1870, the Southern Pacific Railroad bridged the river. Yuma became a hub for the railroad and was selected as the county seat in 1864.
Yuma County is one of four original counties designated by the first Territorial Legislature. It maintained its original boundaries until 1983 when voters decided to split Yuma County into LaPaz County in the north and a new “Yuma County” in the south.
Yuma County has a year-round population of approximately 135,000 residents. During the winter, the population increases by about 80,000 due to the sun-seeking Winter Visitors affectionately known as “Snowbirds”.
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