Greenlee County

This county in southeastern Arizona spans mountainous land with forests and rivers running through it. The landscape is shaped around the Morenci Mine, one of North America's largest copper operations.

The area was established in 1909 and named after Mason Greenlee, an early settler who helped develop the region. Its creation came during the growth of Arizona's copper mining industry.

Mining traditions shape daily life here, defining how communities connect and celebrate together. Local gatherings and festivals reflect the strong ties residents maintain with their working heritage.

The area is sparsely populated and mountainous, offering visitors room to explore varied terrain. Services and facilities tend to concentrate in a few settlements, so plan for travel distances between towns.

Despite its small population, the area maintains four separate school districts serving scattered communities. This division reveals how spread out settlements are across the vast, sparsely populated landscape.

Location: Arizona

Inception: 1909

Capital city: Clifton

Shares border with: Apache County, Graham County, Cochise County, Hidalgo County, Grant County, Catron County

Website: https://greenlee.az.gov

GPS coordinates: 33.10167,-109.26861

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:50