Alpine, Arizona

Alpine Community Profile

Alpine is a mountain community at the eastern end of the White Mountains. Surrounded by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and near the headwaters of the San Francisco River, Alpine is six miles from the New Mexico state line. Its high meadows are surrounded by majestic peaks, including Escudilla Mountain (10,877 ft.) which is covered with tall pines and aspen. The area, also called Bush Valley, was settled in 1876 by Anderson Bush, owner of a log house known as Fort Bush. In 1880, Mormon settlers built a log fort about a mile southeast of Alpine. At the junction of U.S. Highways 191 and 180, Alpine is 28 miles south of Springerville on state Highway 191 and 110 miles south of Interstate 40.

Founded: 1876.
County: Apache County
Distance to Phoenix: 265 miles. Distance to Tucson: 265 miles
Highways: U.S. 191, 180
Enterprise Zone Available
Incorporated: No
Elevation: 8,050 feet

Scenic Attractions

The Apache-Sitgreaves Forest contains wilderness & primitive areas. Within a 30-mile radius there are 11 lakes and more than 200 miles of trout streams. Recreational opportunities include fishing, camping, hiking, rock-hounding, horseback riding, & big game hunting. Developed campsites are available at Luna Lake & the Alpine Divide; additional campgrounds are found on the black River & Blue River. Luna Lake is a wildlife refuge home to bald & golden eagles, swans & geese. An Audubon refuge is at the Luce Ranch on the Blue River. Alpine's Forest Service Ranger Station has a herbarium with hundreds of area wildflowers. Local annual events include dog-sled races in January, worm races in July & "Four Corners Chili Cookoff" in August & campground programs during the summer.

Population
	1990	1998	1999	2000	2006
Alpine Apache County Arizona	600 61,591 3,665,228	646 66,350 4,764,025	652 66,950 4,924,350	N/A 69,423 5,130,632	N/A 73,775 6,044,985
Sources: Arizona Department of Economic Security and U.S. Census Bureau. Note: 1998-1999 estimate projected from county population growth rates.

Alpine Labor Force Data
	1990	1998	1999	2000	2006
Civilian Labor Force Unemployed Unemployment Rate	196 18 9.2%	201 15 7.5%	202 15 7.4%	N/A N/A N/A	N/A N/A N/A
Source: Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Growth Indicators
	1990	1998	1999	2000	2006
Postal Receipts ($)* School Enrollment** Net Assessed Valuation ($)	N/A N/A 5,829,979	N/A N/A 7,387,221	N/A N/A 7,974,064	N/A N/A 8,300,000	N/A N/A 11,200,000
Sources: Arizona State University: Arizona Department of Revenue. Note: 1998-1999 civilian labor force estimate based on county labor growth rates.

Taxes
Property Tax Rate	1990	1998	1999	2000	2006
Elem/High School City/Fire District County Total	4.79 1.46 1.76 8.01	4.45 0.08 2.09 6.62	4.31 0.14 1.98 6.43	4.34 1.06 1.91 7.31	4.08 1.30 2.79 8.17
Source: Arizona Tax Research Foundation. Note: Property tax in Arizona is based on assessed valuation which is 10 percent of market value for residential property. Average tax rate on homes in Arizona before exemptions and rebates is 1.3% of market value.

Principal Economic Activities

Tourism provides Alpine's economic base. Winter sports, hunting, fishing and summer visitors bring upwards of 50,000 people to the Apache-Sitgreaves Forest. Alpine's cool summers, mountain air, scenery, absence of traffic and year-round activities attract vacationers and retirees, making service and retail important to the economy. The largest single employer is the U.S. Forest Service. Ranching and logging also provide employment and construction has increased as more retirees move here.

Major Private Employers

Tai WiWi Lodge
The Northside Restaurant
Bear Wallow Café
Thompson Builders
Alpine Market

Major Public Employers

U.S. Post Office
Alpine Public Library
Alpine Public School
U.S. Forest Service

For further information, contact:

Alpine Area Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 410
Alpine, AZ 85920
phone: (928) 339-4330

Alpine Ranger District
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: (928) 339-4384
TTD: (928) 339-4384

Alpine Public Library
P.O. Box 528
Alpine, AZ 85920
phone: (928) 339-4925