Thatcher
Homes and Real Estate for Sale in Arizona
Welcome to Thatcher
Thatcher, at an elevation of 2,900 feet. is in the Gila River Valley
approximately 160 miles southeast of Phoenix, 120 miles northeast of Tucson
and four miles northwest of Safford in Graham County. Thatcher was
originally settled in 1881 on the south bank of the Gila River and was named
for the Mormon Apostle Moses Thatcher. The town was incorporated in 1899.
Eastern Arizona College, a two-year public community college, is located in
Thatcher. Founded by pioneers as St. Joseph Stake Academy in 1888, Eastern
Arizona College became the first official state junior college in 1962.
There are currently more than 3,600 students enrolled in Graham County
classes. The school, with its growth, is becoming an increasingly important
contributor to the economy of Thatcher and Graham County.
The nearby Coronado National Forest provides many recreational facilities.
In the Piñaleno Mountains southwest of Thatcher is popular Mount Graham, a
10,720-foot peak. Swift Trail, a 36-mile tour and one of many nearby
scenic drives, provides a route to the summit and features many picnicking
and camping sites Riggs Flat Lake has facilities for fishing, boating and
other water-oriented activities.
Scenic U.S. 70 connects Thatcher with the recreation areas at San Carlos
Lake and Coolidge Dam, the frontier fortifications of Fort Thomas and
Geronimo, the trading post at Bylas and the historic cattle shipping point
of Calva.
Another drive west of Thatcher provides an interesting tour through the
town of Klondyke and a charming designated primitive area Aravaipa Canyon.
Roper Lake State Park is just south on state Highway 191 Formerly a
private facility, it has been developed by the state as a recreation park
for the abundant natural mineral water hot springs that flow there.
The Bureau of Land Management administers 740,800 acres of land within
Graham County. Some of the unique recreational opportunities are Hot Wells
Dunes, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area and Black Hills Back
Country Byway.
The climate in the Thatcher
area boasts the beauty and diversity of all four seasons. Our valley is
protected from winter precipitation by Mount Graham. The mountain is
dusted with snow throughout the winter, making a majestic backdrop for
activities. The average daily temperature is 80 degrees for the high and
48 for the low.
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Average
Temperature (°F)
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Average Total
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Month
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Daily Max.
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Daily Min.
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Precipitation
(inches)
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January
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61.1
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29.7
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0.69
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February
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65.8
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32.6
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0.41
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March
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70.9
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37.4
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0.59
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April
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80.7
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44.8
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0.24
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May
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89.4
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52.6
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0.08
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June
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98.4
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61.6
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0.21
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July
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99.7
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70.2
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1.90
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August
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96.7
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67.8
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1.44
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September
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93.1
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61.1
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1.12
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October
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83.3
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48.7
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0.61
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November
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70 2
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36.2
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0.35
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December
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61.4
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30.1
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0.79
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Year
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80.8
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47.7
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8.43
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Average Total Snow, Sleet and
Hail Annually: 1 3 inches (based on a 30-year average)
The town of
Thatcher offers community facilities including a park, four tennis courts,
one swimming pool, two handball courts, soccer fields, and Little League
and softball diamonds. Eastern Arizona College has athletic facilities
winch are used by Thatcher schools and residents.
Communication. In addition to communication resources from the rest of
the state, Thatcher receives several radio stations from Safford and 24
television channels via cable.
Educational. There is one public elementary school, one middle school,
one high school, one private elementary school, and Eastern Arizona
College (EAC) in Thatcher. Eastern Arizona College is a two-year
institution offering vocational courses to prepare individuals for
immediate employment and transferable college-credit courses to provide
the first two years of college. Vocational courses include production
agriculture, auto business and auto mechanics, computers, general
business, and courses in automotive drafting, electronics, and in
mechanical and mining technology. Northern Arizona University, in
partnership with EAC, offers undergraduate and graduate programs; for
information, call (520) 428-8344.
Medical.
Thatcher has no medical facilities of its own, but uses the complete
facilities available in Safford, less than two miles away. These include
one hospital with 42 beds, a counseling center, a convalescent home,
physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, and osteopaths.
Financial.
There is one financial institution branch office in Thatcher, Additional
financial services are available in Safford. Further, Graham County
businesses are eligible for assistance in financing fixed assets through
the Finance Division, Arizona Department of Commerce. Information on
private activity bonds within the county may be obtained from the same
source or from the Industrial Development Authority of Graham County: P.O.
Box 32: Safford, Arizona 85548.
Governmental. The town of Thatcher is governed by a mayor, six council
members and a town manager. There is a local police department and the
fire department has 28 volunteers.
Airport.
Residents of Thatcher have access to the Safford Airport which has one
6,800-foot and one 4,800-foot paved lighted runways with UNICOM radio. Car
rental and charter plane services are available, as are full aircraft
service and repair.
Utilities
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Electricity: |
Thatcher
Municipal Utilities |
(928)
428-2290 |
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Graham
County Electric Co-op |
485-2451
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Natural Gas: |
Graham
County Utilities |
485-2451 |
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Propane Gas: |
Matlock Gas |
428-0641
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Griffen Propane |
428-0071
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Telephone: |
U.S. West Communications |
(800)
244-1111
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AT & T |
(800)
222-0480
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Water: |
Safford Municipal Utilities |
348-3100
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Sewer: |
Thatcher Municipal Utilities |
428-2290
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Lodging
and Meeting Facilities. There is one motel in Thatcher with 50 rooms
and eight motels with more than 350 units in Safford. Meeting facilities
include an auditorium seating 1,000 people.
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"Top Real Estate Agents in
Thatcher, Arizona"
Thatcher is located in Eastern Arizona. It
is in Graham County. It encompasses 2.55 miles and sits at the northern base
of Mount Graham in the Gila Valley. The town is located on U.S Highway 70.
It is approximately 160 miles southeast of Phoenix and only four miles
northwest of Safford. If you are coming from Tucson, take Interstate 10 east
out of town to U.S. 191 and head north toward Safford. Once you are in
Safford, take U.S. 70 east into Thatcher. If you are coming from Phoenix,
take U.S. 60 east out of town to Globe and then take U.S. 70 into Thatcher.
Thatcher is an ideal place to begin your recreational activities. There are
so many outdoor spots to choose from around town. Agriculture is the
mainstay and been a part of its history. However, education is an important
aspect of the town. Eastern Arizona College made Thatcher its home and in
1962 it was named the first official state junior college in Arizona. Today
Thatcher’s population is 3,763. The town sits at an elevation of 2,900 feet.
The mild climate is found all year round with a summer high temperature of
99 degrees and a winter low temperature of 30 degrees. Thatcher is proud of
its past and excited about its future.
There are several attractions to choose from in Thatcher. The Museum of
Anthropology is found at Eastern Arizona College. This museum has a great
exhibit on the Mogollon and Salado and Hohokam pottery. The museum is small,
but the artifacts are terrific. Another popular hang out is the Graham
County Fairgrounds and Recreational Area located east of Thatcher in the
town of Safford. The 220-area complex has facilities for fairs, an
equestrian arena, an oval racetrack and many public recreation spots. These
recreation areas range from tennis courts to baseball fields and 56 picnic
tables.
The Graham County Fairgrounds and Recreational Area is the place to be if
you are interested in small town fun. Discovery Park is a fun place to go
explore the past, present and future of the desert southwest. There are 200
acres of scientific, historical and cultural exhibits including the Gov Aker
Observatory and the space stimulator ride called the Polaris Shuttlecraft.
The Discovery Park Express narrow-gauge train takes you on a tour of
Nature’s Hideaway with wildlife, flora and fauna.
One might have to flip a coin to decide where to begin their outdoor
activities. There is just so much to see and do. The Swift Trail (State
Highway 366) is one of Arizona’s most popular scenic drives. The 36-mile
drive passes by spectacular sights. The trail takes you up to the top of
Mount Graham in the Pinaleno Mountains. Columbine is a terrific camping area
along the way.
Riggs Flat Lake has fishing and camping. However, the last section of the
trail leading to the lake is closed during the winter season. Visitors will
want to head to the lake in the spring and summer to enjoy the water fun.
Another lake that has lots to offer is the Lake Roper State Park. The park
has 240 acres and 30 acres of water. Visitors will find two developed areas,
which surround a small man made lake. The park has picnicking, camping,
boating and a natural hot spring.
The Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area is a vast wilderness. It is an area that
has no trails, no facilities and no signs. The area is for those interested
in really getting in touch with the outdoors. Hikers, campers and those
wanting to see wildlife will enjoy heading to the Aravaipa Canyon. The Gila
Box Riparian National Conservation Area is a wonderful piece of land
including a 15-mile segment of Bonita Creek and 23 miles of the Gila River.
This area is the prefect place to take a kayak, canoe or raft. Visitors can
float down the Gila Rive taking in the variety of birds that make this place
their home.
History:
Thatcher was originally settled in 1881 by a group of Mormon settlers. The
settlers chose a spot along the Gila River’s south bank to start building
their community. Christopher Layton was one of the early pioneers. Layton
was a farmer and businessman. He is known for his work in the creation of
the town of Thatcher. It is said he mapped out the town site. Layton also
named the settlement after the Mormon Apostle Moses Thatcher, who had made a
visit to the area during Christmas time.
The St. Joseph Stake Academy was founded in 1891 in the town of Central,
near Safford. Then in 1892, a group of Mormon pioneers decided to move the
school to Thatcher. In 1917, the school was recognized as the North Central
Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. First year college courses
were introduced in 1921 and were followed by second year courses. The school
continued to grow and the name changed to Gila Academy. The University of
Arizona accredited the school for two years of college work in 1926. Then in
1962, the Latter Day Saints Church donated the school to the state and the
school became Eastern Arizona College. It was also the first state junior
college. Today more than 3,600 students attend the college.
Thatcher was incorporated in 1899. Although the town is known for its
school, agriculture has been its mainstay throughout history. Fields of
cotton, alfalfa and grains surround the town. The Gila River continues to
provide the necessary irrigation water for the crops.
Thatcher continues to grow with retail trade and services, along with a
tourist draw to the town’s cool mild climate.
Population
1980 1990 1998
Thatcher 3,374 3,763 4,405
Graham County 22,862 26,554 34,700
Arizona 2,716,546 3,665,228 4,764,025
Sources: Arizona Department of Economic Security and U.S. Census Bureau
Growth Indicators
1990 1997 1998
Taxable Sales ($) 39,177,700 75,580,900 84,668,450
Postal Receipts ($)* 160,071 310,725 292,839
New Building Permits** 55 86 73
School Enrollment 1,441 1,475 1,474
Net Assessed Valuation ($) 7,698,992 9,654,911 10,437,564
*Postal receipts are for fiscal year
**Arizona Business, Arizona State University; 1997 figure not for entire
year
Thatcher Labor Force Data
1980 1990 1998
Civilian Labor Force 1,213 1,502 1,681
Employed 1,148 1,432 1,585
Unemployed 65 70 96
Employment Rate 5.4% 4.7% 5.7%
Source: Arizona Department of Economic Security
Taxes
98/99 Collections:
Sales Tax 2% / $1,693,369
Bed Tax Sales Tax + 3%
Property Tax Rate
per $100 Assessed Valuation
1990 1997 1998
AZ State Tax $0.47 $0.00 $0.00
Community College 1.70 1.91 1.91
Flood 0.08 0.08 0.08
County Fire District 0.03 0.05 0.05
County 2.51 2.41 2.00
County Total $4.79 $4.44 $4.04
School District 6.07 5.91 5.97
Town of Thatcher 0.18 0.21 0.01
Total $11.04 $10.56 $10.02
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Current weather forecast for Thatcher, AZ
Population (year 2000): 4,022
Males: 1,882 (46.8%), Females: 2,140 (53.2%)
Elevation: 2910 feet
County: Graham
Land area: 4.4 square miles
Zip code: 85552
Median resident age: 24.7 years
Median household income: $32,412
Median house value: $89,200
Races in Thatcher:
White Non-Hispanic (76.8%)
Hispanic (19.5%)
Other race (9.9%)
American Indian (2.3%)
Two or more races (2.2%)
Black (0.8%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other
races)
Ancestries: English (24.6%), German (9.8%), Irish (6.2%), United States
(5.5%), Scottish (4.3%), Scottish (4.3%).
For population 25 years and over in Thatcher town, Arizona
High school or higher: 85.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 22.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 11.3%
Unemployed: 8.6%
Mean travel time to work: 16.8 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Thatcher town, Arizona
Never married: 35.5%
Now married: 51.5%
Separated: 1.0%
Widowed: 4.9%
Divorced: 7.1%
2.2% Foreign born (1.6% Latin America, 0.4% Asia).
Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Catalina Foothills, AZ (85.6 miles, pop.
53,794).
Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Tucson, AZ (90.2 miles, pop. 486,699).
Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Phoenix, AZ (166.1 miles, pop.
1,321,045).
Nearest cities: Safford, AZ (3.4 miles), Pima, AZ (5.9 miles), Swift Trail
Junction, AZ (7.5 miles), Morenci, AZ (33.4 miles), Clifton, AZ (34.8
miles), Willcox, AZ (40.2 miles), Peridot, AZ (57.7 miles), San Carlos, AZ
(59.8 miles).
Area code commonly used in this area: 928
Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services
(33.4%), Retail trade (13.4%), Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and
mining (11.1%).
Crime in Thatcher (2001):
0 murders (0.0 per 100,000)
0 rapes (0.0 per 100,000)
0 robberies (0.0 per 100,000)
7 assaults (174.0 per 100,000)
23 burglaries (571.9 per 100,000)
160 larceny counts (3978.1 per 100,000)
5 auto thefts (124.3 per 100,000)
City-data.com crime index = 243.9 (higher means more crime, US average =
330.6)
Average weather in Thatcher, Arizona
Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temp. (°F) 44.6 49.0 54.5 61.4 70.1 79.5 83.2 81.3 75.7 64.7 52.0
44.4
High temperature (°F) 60.1 65.3 71.2 79.6 88.5 98.1 98.3 96.0 92.0 81.9 69.0
60.1
Low temperature (°F) 29.0 32.8 37.6 43.1 51.6 60.8 68.0 66.5 59.5 47.4 35.0
28.6
Precipitation (in) 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.3 1.5 1.7 1.1 1.1 0.6 0.9
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Normal climate in Thatcher, Arizona
Based on data reported by main weather stations
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Days with precip. 4 4 4 2 2 2 9 8 5 3 3 4
Wind speed (mph) 7.6 7.8 8.4 8.7 8.6 8.5 8.2 7.7 8.0 7.9 7.8 7.5
Morning humidity (%) 62 58 53 42 34 32 55 63 54 52 54 62
Afternoon humidity (%) 32 27 23 16 13 13 27 32 27 25 28 34
Sunshine (%) 80 82 86 90 92 93 79 81 87 88 84 79
Days clear of clouds 14 13 15 17 20 21 11 13 19 20 18 15
Partly cloudy days 7 7 7 7 7 6 12 12 7 6 6 6
Cloudy days 10 9 9 6 4 3 8 7 4 5 6 10
Snowfall (in) 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3
Hospitals/medical centers near Thatcher:
MT GRAHAM REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 6 miles; SAFFORD, AZ)
MORENCI HOSPITAL (about 34 miles; MORENCI, AZ)
NORTHERN COCHISE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 34 miles; WILLCOX, AZ)
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Thatcher:
DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB (about 90 miles; TUCSON, AZ; ID: DMA)
SIERRA VISTA MUNI-LIBBY AAF (about 95 miles; FORT HUACHUCA SIERRA VISTA, AZ;
ID: FHU)
TUCSON INTL (about 96 miles; TUCSON, AZ; ID: TUS)
Other public-use airports nearest to Thatcher:
FLYING J RANCH (about 8 miles; PIMA, AZ; ID: E37)
SAFFORD REGIONAL (about 10 miles; SAFFORD, AZ; ID: SAD)
GREENLEE COUNTY (about 40 miles; CLIFTON/MORENCI, AZ; ID: CFT)
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College/University in Thatcher:
EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 3,085; Location: 3714 W.
CHURCH ST; Public; Website: www.EasternArizona.Com)
Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Thatcher:
PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 90 miles; TUCSON, AZ; FT enrollment: 14,177)
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (about 92 miles; TUCSON, AZ; FT enrollment: 29,915)
COCHISE COLLEGE (about 101 miles; DOUGLAS, AZ; FT enrollment: 2,585)
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE (about 123 miles; COOLIDGE, AZ; FT enrollment:
2,333)
CHANDLER/GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 147 miles; CHANDLER, AZ; FT
enrollment: 2,990)
NORTHLAND PIONEER COLLEGE (about 147 miles; HOLBROOK, AZ; FT enrollment:
2,177)
SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 151 miles; SCOTTSDALE, AZ; FT
enrollment: 5,345)
Public high school in Thatcher:
THATCHER HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 386; Location: 601 NORTH 3RD AVENUE; Grades:
09 - 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Thatcher:
JACK DALEY PRIMARY SCHOOL (Students: 350; Location: 3427 2ND STREET; Grades:
KG - 03)
THATCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 305; Location: 1350 N 4TH AVE; Grades:
04 - 06)
THATCHER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 213; Location: 1300 N 4TH AVE; Grades: 07
- 08)
Private primary/middle school in Thatcher:
SAFFORD SDA SCHOOL (Students: 7; Location: 527 FIRST AVENUE; Grades: 2 - 5)
Thatcher compared to Arizona state average:
Median household income below state average.
Median house value significantly below state average.
Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
Median age significantly below state average.
Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
Renting percentage below state average.
Number of college students above state average.
Population density significantly below state average.
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Strongest AM radio stations in Thatcher:
KATO (1230 AM; 1 kW; SAFFORD, AZ; Owner: MCMURRAY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
KFLT (830 AM; 50 kW; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: FAMILY LIFE B/CING SYSTEM, INC.)
KUAZ (1550 AM; daytime; 50 kW; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS)
KHIL (1250 AM; 5 kW; WILLCOX, AZ; Owner: LAKESHORE MEDIA, LLC)
KMIA (710 AM; 50 kW; BLACK CANYON CITY, AZ; Owner: ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS,
LLC)
KFNX (1100 AM; 50 kW; CAVE CREEK, AZ; Owner: NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING
CO., INC.)
KTNN (660 AM; 50 kW; WINDOW ROCK, AZ; Owner: THE NAVAJO NATION)
KMIK (1580 AM; 50 kW; TEMPE, AZ; Owner: ABC, INC.)
KPXQ (1360 AM; 50 kW; GLENDALE, AZ; Owner: COMMON GROUND BROADCASTING, INC.)
KHAC (880 AM; 43 kW; TSE BONITO, NM; Owner: WESTERN INDIAN MINISTRIES, INC.)
KTKT (990 AM; 10 kW; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: ARIZONA LOTUS CORP.)
KEVT (1030 AM; 10 kW; CORTARO, AZ; Owner: ONE MART CORP.)
KQTL (1210 AM; 10 kW; SAHUARITA, AZ; Owner: RADIO UNICA OF TUCSON LICENSE
CORP.)
Strongest FM radio stations in Thatcher:
KXKQ (94.1 FM; SAFFORD, AZ; Owner: MCMURRAY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
K208BT (89.5 FM; SAFFORD, AZ; Owner: AZ BD OF REGENTS/UNIV. OF ARIZONA)
KWRQ (102.3 FM; CLIFTON, AZ; Owner: MCMURRAY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
K204CE (88.7 FM; CLIFTON, AZ; Owner: THE MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO)
KWCX-FM (104.9 FM; WILLCOX, AZ; Owner: LAKESHORE MEDIA, LLC)
KFMM (99.1 FM; THATCHER, AZ; Owner: WICK COMMUNICATIONS CO.)
K255AC (98.9 FM; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUN. COLLEGE DIST)
KGMG (106.3 FM; ORACLE, AZ; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)
K263AA (100.5 FM; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION)
KZLZ-FM2 (105.3 FM; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC)
KCDX (103.1 FM; FLORENCE, AZ; Owner: DESERT WEST AIR RANCHERS CORPORATION)
KUAT-FM (90.5 FM; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS)
K292CM (106.3 FM; SUMMERHAVEN, AZ; Owner: ARIZONA LOTUS CORPORATION)
KZLZ-FM1 (105.3 FM; TUCSON, AZ; Owner: ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC)
KJIK (100.7 FM; DUNCAN, AZ; Owner: WILLIAM S. KONOPNICKI)
KVJC (91.9 FM; GLOBE, AZ; Owner: CSN INTERNATIONAL)
KRXS-FM (97.3 FM; GLOBE, AZ; Owner: LINDA C. POTYKA)
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Price Range of Thatcher Homes
for Sale |
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