Clifton and Morenci are thought to be an economic area by the Arizona Department of Commerce.

Summers are very hot and sometimes humid, with most rainfall coming from the monsoon between July and October.

[7] Winters are mild (though with very cold nights) and dry, with snow only recorded in fourteen years since 1892.

There were 1,087 housing units at an average density of 73.2 per square mile (28.3/km2).

22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The town of Clifton operates under a council-manager form of government with seven elected council members, including a mayor and vice-mayor, and a town manager appointed by the council.

[15] Clifton is served by U.S. Route 191, Greenlee County Airport, and the Arizona Eastern Railway.