Day 9

Willcox, AZ - 0 miles

Blowing dust in the morning before it started raining, and strong, chilly winds almost all day.  I decided to stay in Willcox another day due to the adverse conditions.

When in a different place, there is always an educational opportunity.  I took advantage of it to get a better perspective of the area.

Later in the day, I took a (mostly dry) walk through town.  Willcox's population, like many other rural areas in the last decade, has decreased by about 16% in the last 10 years.  Deaths outpace births, and migration (as well as immigration) has regressed.  Farming often provides the economic base in rural areas, but, as discussed in a census data report, of the 443 agriculture-based counties in the U.S. about 78% of them lost population between 2010 and 2020.

Population growth in the United States, more broadly, has stalled.  In fact, in 2021, it grew at only 0.1%.  This was the slowest growth in the history of the country.  It has significant economic impacts.  Traditionally, immigration has played a major role in economic growth.  More people immigrated to the United States in 1910 than in any of the last three years.  We should look to the past to see growth opportunities to maintain our rural communities.  Just a thought.  The alternative is bleak.

Here, the proximity to the interstate still facilitates enough tourism to support the local wine industry (good diurnal temperature variation for it) and recreation (six of Arizona's ten largest mountains are located within 70 miles).  Without that, it would likely end up like the countless other ghost towns that have dried up like the Willcox Playa.

Looking forward to tomorrow.  Hopefully, I will make it to New Mexico.