# Kayenta, Arizona

Kayenta (Navajo: Tó Dínéeshzheeʼ meaning "Fingers of Water" because of how water runs down the rocks when it rains) is a U.S. town which is part of the Navajo Nation and is in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. Established November 13, 1986, the Kayenta Township is unique in currently being the only "township" existing under the laws of the Navajo Nation.
The population was 5,189 at the 2010 census. Kayenta is located 25 miles (40 km) south of Monument Valley and contains a number of hotels and motels which serve visitors to Monument Valley. Like other places on the Navajo Nation, it is illegal to serve alcohol. Arizona does not observe Daylight Time; however, the Navajo Nation does.
Kayenta Township is the only municipal-style government on the Navajo Nation. It is regarded as a political sub-division of the Navajo Nation. It is managed by a five-member elected town board, which hires the township manager.
Kayenta is the name for the Chapter, as well as the township. Kayenta Chapter (a political division within the Navajo Nation that is analogous to a county within a state) encompasses land in both Utah and Arizona. Thus, the Navajo Nation's census figures for Kayenta Chapter are significantly different from those of Kayenta proper.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.2 square miles (34 km$^2$), all land.

### Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Kayenta has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.
Climate data for Kayenta, Arizona (Betatakin, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1939–present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 61 (16) | 69 (21) | 76 (24) | 90 (32) | 94 (34) | 101 (38) | 100 (38) | 98 (37) | 96 (36) | 93 (34) | 70 (21) | 78 (26) | 101 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 51.8 (11.0) | 55.9 (13.3) | 65.6 (18.7) | 74.1 (23.4) | 82.8 (28.2) | 91.3 (32.9) | 93.5 (34.2) | 90.7 (32.6) | 86.0 (30.0) | 77.0 (25.0) | 64.4 (18.0) | 54.1 (12.3) | 94.5 (34.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.9 (4.4) | 43.8 (6.6) | 52.5 (11.4) | 60.7 (15.9) | 70.8 (21.6) | 82.1 (27.8) | 85.7 (29.8) | 82.9 (28.3) | 76.2 (24.6) | 63.9 (17.7) | 50.7 (10.4) | 40.3 (4.6) | 62.5 (16.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22.0 (−5.6) | 24.5 (−4.2) | 30.2 (−1.0) | 35.1 (1.7) | 44.3 (6.8) | 54.6 (12.6) | 60.1 (15.6) | 58.2 (14.6) | 51.7 (10.9) | 41.2 (5.1) | 30.2 (−1.0) | 22.1 (−5.5) | 39.5 (4.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 7.3 (−13.7) | 10.3 (−12.1) | 16.6 (−8.6) | 20.4 (−6.4) | 29.3 (−1.5) | 41.0 (5.0) | 51.0 (10.6) | 49.0 (9.4) | 38.4 (3.6) | 25.4 (−3.7) | 13.8 (−10.1) | 7.8 (−13.4) | 2.8 (−16.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −11 (−24) | −14 (−26) | 2 (−17) | 0 (−18) | 19 (−7) | 28 (−2) | 31 (−1) | 33 (1) | 23 (−5) | 7 (−14) | −2 (−19) | −14 (−26) | −14 (−26) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.17 (30) | 1.03 (26) | 0.79 (20) | 0.64 (16) | 0.58 (15) | 0.18 (4.6) | 1.23 (31) | 1.45 (37) | 1.23 (31) | 0.96 (24) | 0.69 (18) | 1.16 (29) | 11.11 (282) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.3 (21) | 9.1 (23) | 3.7 (9.4) | 3.3 (8.4) | 0.4 (1.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.3 (0.76) | 3.2 (8.1) | 7.2 (18) | 35.5 (90) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) | 5.0 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 50.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 inch) | 4.1 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 16.8 |
| Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,189 people. The population density was 393.1 inhabitants per square mile (151.8/km$^2$) with a total of 1,375 housing units. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.3% Native American, 4.6% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 38.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 11.9% from 25 to 34, 33.2% from 35 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males.

## Events

The Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo is an annual multi-day event taking place from July 1–4. Various events take place daily, while the "Best of the Best" and a fireworks show take place on the fourth. The Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo has been recognized six times as the Rodeo of the Year and twice as the Outstanding Rodeo by the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association, making it one of the premier rodeos to attend in the Southwest.

## Education

Kayenta is served by the Kayenta Unified School District. The Kayenta Unified School District operates several schools serving the communities of Kayenta, Chilchinbeto, Dennehotso, and Shonto. These include Debbie Braff Elementary School (formerly Kayenta Intermediate School and Kayenta Elementary School), Baker Middle School (formerly Kayenta Middle School), Monument Valley High School, and the ABC Preschool (formerly Kayenta Primary School). Recent decisions to rename some schools have been made to honor specific individuals from the community. While the school board has cited community support for these changes, some public discussion and debate continue.
The Kayenta Unified School District #27 is governed by a five-member board of trustees elected by popular vote with the sole interest of ensuring our students receive educational opportunities they are entitled to and deserve. The Governing Board consists of a President, Board Clerk, and three members operating within the laws of the Arizona State Legislature, rules and regulations of the Arizona State Board of Education and Navajo County Superintendent of Schools to sets policies for management of the school district.
Iverna Parrish-John is the President of the governing board for the Kayenta Unified School District.
Kayenta Community School, a K-8 school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, This facility, also known as Kayenta Boarding School, is a boarding school serving both day and dormitory students.

## Community
### Local facilities

Kayenta has a large recreation center dedicated to serving the local community. Just outside the Recreation Center is a skating park, as well as an outdoor park with several playgrounds for children. On the east side of the community is a paved landing strip that can handle small single engine and twin engine aircraft used for air tours and air ambulance services.

### Churches

Many religious organizations are represented in Kayenta. There are churches for Baptists, Presbyterian Church, Lamb of God Pentecostal Church, Potter's House Christian Church, Kayenta Church of Christ, The Living Word Assembly of God Church Assemblies of God, Catholic Church (Our Lady of Guadalupe), a meetinghouse for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a Kingdom Hall for Jehovah's Witnesses. Also there is a Bible church located on the hill of Kayenta.