San Luis, Arizona

San Luis, Arizona is a city located in Yuma County, Arizona, near the Mexico–United States border and the Colorado River. The city is situated near the Cocopah Indian Reservation and the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, and is part of the Yuma, Arizona Metropolitan Statistical Area. San Luis is close to the cities of Yuma, Arizona, Somerton, Arizona, and Wellton, Arizona, and is near the Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area and the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.

Geography

San Luis is located in the southwestern part of Arizona, near the California border and the Mexico–United States border. The city is situated in the Sonoran Desert and is near the Colorado River, which forms the border between Arizona and California. San Luis is close to the Imperial Dam and the Morelos Dam, and is near the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge and the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. The city is also near the Barry Goldwater Range and the Luke Air Force Range, and is close to the Yuma Proving Ground and the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

History

The area that is now San Luis was originally inhabited by the Cocopah people and the Quechan people, who lived along the Colorado River and farmed the surrounding land. The city was founded in the late 19th century, and was incorporated in 1979. San Luis is named after Saint Louis, Missouri, and was originally a small farming community. The city grew rapidly in the late 20th century, and is now a major city in Yuma County, Arizona. San Luis is close to the Yuma Territorial Prison and the Fort Yuma, and is near the Gila River and the Salt River.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of San Luis was 31,540. The city has a diverse population, with a mix of Mexican Americans, European Americans, and Native Americans. San Luis is close to the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, and is near the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Reservation. The city is also near the University of Arizona and the Arizona State University, and is close to the Northern Arizona University and the Grand Canyon University.

Economy

The economy of San Luis is based on agriculture, with major crops including cotton, alfalfa, and wheat. The city is also a major center for manufacturing, with companies such as Caterpillar Inc. and John Deere having facilities in the area. San Luis is close to the Yuma International Airport and the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, and is near the Interstate 8 and the U.S. Route 95. The city is also near the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railway, and is close to the Port of Yuma and the Port of Phoenix.

Education

San Luis is served by the San Luis Unified School District, which operates several schools in the area, including San Luis High School and Cesar Chavez Elementary School. The city is also close to the Arizona Western College and the University of Arizona, and is near the Northern Arizona University and the Grand Canyon University. San Luis is also home to the San Luis Library, which is part of the Yuma County Library District and offers a variety of books, media, and programs for adults and children.

Infrastructure

San Luis has a well-developed infrastructure, with several major roads and highways passing through the city, including Interstate 8 and U.S. Route 95. The city is also served by the Yuma International Airport and the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, and is near the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railway. San Luis is also home to the San Luis Port of Entry, which is a major border crossing between the United States and Mexico. The city is close to the Morelos Dam and the Imperial Dam, and is near the Colorado River and the Gila River. San Luis is also near the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and the Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area, and is close to the Barry Goldwater Range and the Luke Air Force Range. Category:Cities in Arizona