Tonto Apache Reservation
TONTO APACHE RESERVATION
Community Profile
Prepared by the ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Tonto Apache Reservation is on state Highway 87, near Payson in northern
Gila County. The Tonto Apaches were recognized by a congressional act in
Oct. 1972, giving them 85 acres through P.L. 92740. They have worked with
Bureau of Indian Affairs & US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development to
construct the present community. The reservation has 29 homes/a 4-plex
apartment, paved streets, underground utilities & a naturally attractive
location in the Mazatzal Mountains. Tribal members are nationally
recognized for outstanding bead work, basketry, arts & crafts which can be
purchased at the Tonto Apache Market during frequent weekend sales &
the Dream Catcher gift shop (in Mazatzal Casino).
Tonto Apache Reservation
FOUNDED: 1972
INCORPORATED: No
COUNTY: Gila County
ELEVATION: 5,000 feet
*
DISTANCE TO PHOENIX: 86 miles
DISTANCE TO TUCSON: 200 miles
HIGHWAYS: SR 87, SR 260
POPULATION
1990
2000
2008
Tonto Apache Reservation
102
132 N/A
Gila County
40,216
51,335
57,361
Arizona
3,665,228
5,130,632
6,629,455
Sources: Arizona Department of Commerce and U.S. Census Bureau.
* Note: Tribal sources estimate. U.S. Census Bureau and AZ Dept. of Econ. Sec. do not
LABOR FORCE DATA
report on population figures for this area.
1990
2000
2008
PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Civilian Labor Force N/A
940
285
The reservation is in an ideal position to take advantage of the high tourism
Unemployed N/A
166
7
volume around Payson. The reservation has prime highway frontage
available for economic development. The tribal council recently completed a
Unemployment Rate N/A
17.7%
2.5%
several major projects and is planning a hotel. The tribe is engaged in a land
Sources: Arizona Department of Commerce.
purchase and exchange process with the Forest Service to increase its land
base. Presently in operation is the 35,000 square-foot Mazatzal Casino. Also
in operation is the Tonto Apache Tribal Market.
SCENIC ATTRACTIONS
County Employment
2008
The Tonto Apache Reservation is just minutes from the scenic
Goods Producing
2,550
Mogollon Rim, a steep escarpment which separates Arizona's
Government
5,000
northern plateau region from the lower deserts of central and
Other Private Service-Providing
4,625
southern Arizona. The region offers beautiful pines, lakes, streams,
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
2,375
camping, and hunting. Winter snow makes possible skiing,
Sources: Arizona Department of Commerce
snowmobiling, and cross-country snowshoe racing. Area attractions
Figures are organized under the North American Industrial Classification System
include Tonto Natural Bridge–the world’s largest travertine bridge;
(NAICS).
Strawberry Schoolhouse–Arizona’s oldest standing schoolhouse;
and the fish hatchery. Payson, the “Festival Capital of the World,”
has over 40 events each year, including rodeos, chili cook-offs, the
State Fiddler's Contest & Bluegrass Festival, Loggers Sawdust
Festival, October Art Festival, November's Swiss Village and the
Town Hall Christmas Lighting.
TONTO APACHE RESERVATION
Community Profile
TAXES
Industrial Properties
For more information contact the Tonto Apache Tribe.
The State of Arizona does not tax Indian lands and Indian owned property
Utilities
on reservations. Incomes of Indians residing on reservations are not taxed
by the State if wholly derived from reservation sources. The Federal
Electricity
APS (Statewide)
800.253-9405
Government does not exempt individual Indians from income or other
Propane
Various Dealers
federal taxes. Indian people of Arizona are also exempt from state and local
sales taxes on consumer goods purchased on the reservation, unless such
Sewer
Northern Gila Co. Sanitary Dist.
928.474.5257
taxes are imposed by the tribal government. However, the State of Arizona
Telephone
Qwest (statewide)
800.244.1111
collects taxes from reservation residents on sales of gasoline, electricity,
Water
Tonto Apache Water System
928.474.5000
natural gas, and telephone service.
Cable Providers: No
Cable Internet Service Provider: No
Digital Switching Station: No
Fiber Optics: No
Internet Service Provider: No
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Weather
Average Temperature (
oF)
Average Total
The Tribal Administrative Building houses government and social services,
such as tribal courts, substance abuse prevention, tribal gaming and
Month
Daily Minimum
Daily Maximum
Precipitation (Inches)
community health services.
January
24.4
53.7
2.15
February
26.4
57.4
1.98
Educational Institutions
Public
Private
March
29.7
62.1
2.23
April
34.9
70.3
1.08
Elementary
Y
N
May
41.7
79.2
0.55
High School
Y
N
June
49.5
89.4
0.39
Middle School
Y
N
July
58.2
92.4
2.77
August
57.4
89.7
3.05
Financial
September
50.4
85.1
1.91
October
40.2
74.9
1.74
Number of Banks:
November
30.0
62.3
1.61
December
24.5
54.4
1.97
Governmental Agencies
Western Regional Climate Center, wrcc@dri.edu. Period of record 1940-2004. Average
Fire Department: Staffed City/Local Fire Department
Total Snowfall 24.1". Nearest data available from Payson, AZ.
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Department of Commerce
Law Enforcement: Bureau of Indian Affairs
Communications Division in cooperation with local sources.
Airports
For further information, contact:
Tonto Apache Tribe
Airports: See Gila County profile for detailed information on airports.
#30 Tonto Apache Reservation
Medical
Payson, AZ 85541
928-474-5000 Fax: 928.474.9125
Medical services are available through contract health care at the Payson
Email: ismith@tontoapache.com
Regional Medical Center.
Hotel and Lodging Facilities
Number of Rooms:
1700 W. Washington, Suite 600
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Meeting Rooms:
602.771.1100 FAX: 602.771.1200
http://www.azcommerce.com/
Capacity of Largest Facility:
Reproduction of this publication for commercial use is prohibited by
A.R.S. 39-121. Permission to reprint may be granted upon written
request of the Arizona Department of Commerce.
Prepared on 9/2009
