This Arizona City is Shrinking Very Fastest in the State

Arizona is seeing a fast increase in population, but not all its cities are experiencing the same growth. SafeWise, a platform that focuses on security product reviews, has reported that Hayden is the fastest-shrinking urban center in Arizona. Located in Gila County, about 100 miles east of Phoenix, Hayden has experienced a population decrease of over 40% since 2000. This prompts inquiries into the factors contributing to Hayden’s decrease and how it affects the residents.

Ranking the Fastest Declining Cities by SafeWise

SafeWise creates its list of the fastest shrinking cities by examining data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. This ranking evaluates the change in population percentage from 2000 to 2019 and organizes cities from the least to the greatest decline. It only lists cities with a population of at least 5,000 that provide detailed crime information to the FBI.

To calculate the percentage change, subtract the population in 2000 from the population in 2019, divide by the population in 2000, and then multiply by 100. It does not include information about births, deaths, or migration.

Discover Why Hayden is Arizona’s Fastest-Shrinking City

Hayden is a quaint town with around 600 residents. Founded in 1912, the town transformed into a center for copper mining in the early 1900s. This area housed important mining companies like ASARCO, Kennecott, and Magma Copper, and was associated with notable individuals such as former Arizona Governor Raul Castro and former U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini.

However, Hayden faced numerous challenges such as environmental pollution, economic struggles, and societal decay, leading to a quick decrease in population. SafeWise reported that Hayden had a population of 1,024 in 2000, which decreased to 599 in 2019. This results in a remarkable 41.7% drop in population over a span of 19 years, establishing it as the city with the most substantial decrease in Arizona.

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Here are some possible reasons for Hayden’s decrease in population:

Hayden’s economy depended significantly on the mining sector, which was impacted by market changes, environmental rules, and technological progress. With mining becoming less lucrative and increasingly automated, numerous residents either lost their jobs or moved elsewhere in pursuit of better prospects.

The mining operations in Hayden released significant levels of dust, smoke, and harmful chemicals, leading to severe air pollution and putting the health of its residents at risk. Hayden had some of the poorest air quality in the state, exceeding federal standards for particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants can lead to respiratory problems, heart issues, cancer, and early death.

Hayden lacked important social services and amenities that improve residents’ quality of life and well-being. In comparison, Hayden showed lower levels of education, income, health insurance coverage, and internet access than other cities in Arizona. Furthermore, the city had limited choices for recreational activities, entertainment, shopping, and dining.

In conclusion

Hayden has been named Arizona’s fastest shrinking city according to SafeWise’s examination of Census data. The decrease is mainly due to the city’s declining mining sector, worsening air quality and public health, and lack of necessary social services and amenities. Hayden has the potential to evolve into a more dynamic and prosperous city in the future through diversifying its economy, enhancing its environment and public health, and enriching its social services and amenities.