24 Hours In Nowhere

As reported in the 2020 census, Arizona’s population totals just over 7.1 million. Most of this population—89.3%—resides in urban hubs like Phoenix, Tucson, and Mesa. The remaining 10.7% live in mostly rural areas, situated in the wide, canyon-marked deserts typical of the Arizona landscape (“U.S. Census Updates: Arizona’s Rural Population.” The University of Arizona). These rural communities often suffer for their remoteness. For instance, residents in over 36% of rural tracts must travel at least 10 miles for reliable access to a grocery store. The rural counties Navajo, Apache, and Yuma suffer from the highest rates of food insecurity statewide (“Food Access in Rural Arizona.” The University of Arizona, 31 May 2022). 

In a similar example of inequity, high school students in rural Arizona are graduating at one of the lowest rates in the US, hindered by scant funding and overburdened faculty (“The State of Arizona’s Rural Schools.” Save Our Schools Arizona Network). These challenging circumstances—often compounded by poor healthcare, outdated infrastructure, and a weak job market—critically limit opportunities for success: In rural Arizona, the poverty rate is 22.5%, compared to 12.4% in urban areas (“Rural Health for Arizona Overview.