GOVERNANCE: The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is governed by a Tribal Council comprised of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two Council Members. Council members serve staggered 4-year terms, and elections are held in January of even-numbered years. The Council meets the first Tuesday of every month. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is in Congressional District 6; Legislative District 23.
CONSTITUTION AND CODE:
COMMUNITY PROFILE: The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation was created by Executive Order in 1903. The Reservation is located in the territory of the once nomadic Yavapai people. Two important victories have shaped the history of the Nation: The Orme Dam Project and the fight for gaming rights. In the 1970s, the community came together with other tribes to successfully fight the construction of the Orme Dam, a project that would have flooded the Reservation and forced members from their homeland. And in 1992, tribal members held a three-week standoff with the government, a protest that persuaded the Arizona Governor to sign a gaming compact with the Tribe. May 12th is now a tribal holiday honoring that victory.
The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is located 23 miles northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. The Reservation is bordered by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on the south, the Town of Fountain Hills on the west, and the Tonto National Forest on the north and east. The Reservation is one of the smallest in Arizona, covering just 40 square miles. The Verde River flows north-south through the middle of the Reservation and converges with the Salt River.
The Nation operates Fort McDowell Tribal Farm which produces alfalfa, pecans, and citrus. The Nation also runs the Fort McDowell Casino, and offers tourist activities through Fort McDowell Adventures.
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Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Reservation
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Arizona
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United States
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| Total Population* |
1,104 |
6,946,685 |
322,903,030 |
| Number of Households |
305 |
2,524,300 |
119,730,128 |
| Average Household Size |
3.62 |
2.69 |
2.63 |
| Median Age |
32.3 |
37.4 |
37.9 |
| Population Under Age 18 |
32.1% |
23.5% |
22.8% |
| Population Over Age 65 |
8.0% |
16.7% |
15.2% |
| Speaks a Language Other Than English in Household |
11.7% |
27.2% |
21.5% |
| Married-Couple Households |
26.5% |
57.0% |
58.6% |
| Owner-Occupied Housing Units |
77.7% |
63.6% |
63.8% |
| Age 25+ with High School Degree or Higher |
76.5% |
86.8% |
87.7% |
| Median Household Income |
$21,618 |
$56,213 |
$60,293 |
| Below Federal Poverty Threshold |
28.5% |
16.1% |
14.1% |
| Employed in Service-Related Occupation |
34.5% |
19.6% |
17.9% |
| Households with at Least One Computing Device |
82.3% |
89.9% |
88.8% |
| Households with a Desktop/Laptop |
43.6% |
79.7% |
77.9% |
*All statistics are from the 2014-2018 American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates.
