$408,062Average Value$206Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Remote living in the Sonoran Desert
In Whispering Ranch, a rural community 16 miles from Wickenburg, a person can travel for miles down dirt roads through the Sonoran Desert without seeing a house. “If you want to be in a place that’s remote and is going to stay remote, Whispering Ranch is the place,” says Melanie Lakovich, a Realtor with Homesmart who’s sold homes here for 5 years. “It’s kind of the wild west. There are no services and no stores.” Many move here to live off the grid or to have room for horses or off-road vehicles, and recreational areas like the Vulture Mountains and Hassayampa River are nearby. The isolation here has resulted in a CAP Crime Index Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Locals have to travel to nearby towns for shopping, and nearby houses of worship include Fire Rock Cowboy Church and Calvary Chapel Arise.
Whispering Ranch is a secluded community characterized by its vast open spaces, with homes dotted sparsely throughout the rugged Sonoran Desert.
The expansive, remote landscape of Whispering Ranch showcases scattered residences and extensive dirt roads, highlighting the area's appeal for those seeking isolation and natural beauty.
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Five-acre lots far from neighbors
The area’s remoteness is its biggest appeal, and residents here live far from their neighbors along dirt roads. Electricity and water aren’t guaranteed, and most residents are responsible for digging their own wells, hauling water and creating electricity with solar panels or windmills. A few of the properties close to Patton Road can be connected to the electrical grid, which makes these more expensive.
Most of the area’s property sales are undeveloped lots; these range from 4 to 5 acres and were platted in the 1960s, so Lakovich says it’s unlikely that the land will be bought up for a subdivision. “You have to be careful when choosing a lot and see it in person because many don’t have good access,” Lakovich says. “Some of the roads are easier to use than others, and some have been washed out.” Prices typically range from $20,000 to $100,000, and the area’s most expensive lots have existing wells or are close to Patton Road. Lakovich says that some people build homes on the land, while others keep horses on it, use it for weekend camping or hold onto it as an investment.
Lots with existing homes are hard to come by. “They’re rare to find because the structures that are here are mostly not permitted,” Lakovich says. She says that most permitted structures are manufactured or custom homes that can cost between $145,000 and $225,000, depending on access to electricity and water.
The remote homes of Whispering Ranch are designed for desert living, often featuring outdoor spaces tailored for recreation like off-road vehicles and equestrian activities.
Homes in Whispering Ranch frequently include practical features like solar enery systems and private wells, making the most of the area's remote desert location.
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Sandrails on the dry Hassayampa River
Many residents here turn their land into their own personal recreation space, building horse arenas, campsites and gardens for entertainment. The open desert landscape here is popular for off-roading; the Hassayampa River to the east is dry and sandy most of the year, making it a well-known spot for dirt bikes and sandrails, a lightweight off-road vehicle for sandy terrain. The 770-acre Hassayampa River Preserve to the north is a county park with trails around a small section of the river that runs year-round; the water feeds a willow and cottonwood forest that’s popular for birdwatching. For swimming and boating, locals head to the 23,000-acre Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 35 miles northeast. The over 1000-acre Vulture Mountains Recreation Area, a planned nature park with hiking and all-terrain vehicle trails, is roughly 7 miles north and scheduled to open in 2025.
Vistancia residents are never far from adventures and excursions at Lake Pleasant.
Residents navigating the Hassayampa Wash in Whispering Ranch experience the rugged beauty and challenges of desert living.
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Rifle Club at Wickenburg High
Local kids can start school at Festival Foothills Elementary, which earns a B-minus from Niche and serves kids in pre-kindergarten through Grade 8. At the C-rated Wickenburg High, students can join five clubs, including the Rifle Club, which competes nationally in precision shooting. Both schools are located roughly 20 miles away.
Festival Foothills Elementary School teaches children from Kindergarten through 8th grade.
The monument sign greets you at Wickenburg High School in Wickenburg.
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Wickenburg’s annual Gold Rush Days Senior Pro Rodeo
Wickenburg is home to several popular festivals and events. The annual Gold Rush Days Senior Pro Rodeo, held each February, attracts cowboys and bull riders to the town for three days of competitions and carnival rides. In November, music fans gather for the three-day Annual Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival, and December means the return of the Annual Christmas Parade of Lights, a free event where kids can visit with Santa and watch illuminated floats wind through downtown.
Fifteen miles from Highway 60
Highway 60 is roughly 15 miles east and is the main route to Surprise, 26 miles away, and downtown Phoenix, a 53-mile trip. There are two roads into Whispering Ranch: Patton Road in the east, which leads to Highway 60, and Vulture Mine Road in the west, leading around 16 miles north to Wickenburg. According to Lakovich, Patton Road closes after big storms that cause the Hassayampa River to flow, limiting access for this car-reliant community. Wickenburg Community Hospital is 17 miles from the area’s west side, while Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center is 24 miles from the east side. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 61-mile trip.
The Spurs Café in Wickenburg
According to Lakovich, residents living on Whispering Ranch’s west side typically go to Wickenburg, 16 miles north, for shopping and dining. At the Spurs Café, diners can get 10% off their meal if they wear spurs to lunch. The town also has specialty stores, including Seven Roan Western Wear and Ace Hardware, as well as a Bashas’ grocery store.
Residents on Whispering Ranch’s east side usually go to Wittmann, about 15 miles east, or Surprise, 26 miles south. The locally owned Wells Country Store in Wittmann is a convenience store that also serves deli sandwiches, and El Vaquero Malo serves Mexican comfort food. Surprise is home to national retailers and grocery chains, including Walmart, Fry’s Marketplace and Trader Joe’s.
Cowboy Cookin' in Wickenburg is an American restaurant with Western vibes.
Wells Country Store is a convenient store along Highway 60.
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Far from emergency services
Residents here are far from fire and emergency services and should be prepared for long wait times. “Emergency services are probably 30 minutes away,” Lakovich says. The Wittman Fire Department is about 15 miles away, and the closest ambulance station is about 16 miles north. The area has a high risk for wildfire; multiple brush fires broke out in 2024 but were quickly contained.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sammie Hone,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Whispering Ranch
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Whispering Ranch Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Whispering Ranch, Buckeye sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Whispering Ranch, Buckeye over the last 12 months is $340,000, down 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
A full 5 acre parcel that is fenced in Whispering Ranch. No floodplain and no HOA. At only $8000 an acre these parcels are high in demand! One of Arizona's newest & largest developments is breaking ground just southwest of this property. Unique views to the North & South give this property plenty of charm and make it valuable to investors and end users alike. Whispering Ranch is one of the best
4.99 Acre parcel on the West side of Whispering Ranch. Just southeast from the entrance to this subdivision with well traveled roadways offering easy access to Vulture Mine Road and Wickenburg shopping, dining and entertainment. This property has some washes/arroyos but the majority of it is high 'n dry and usable. Just a portion is in the floodplain & it's priced accordingly! The area is just
This 5 acre parcel in the north section of Whispering Ranch is a gorgeous parcel with 95% floodplain and a crazy low price! Do your homework to find it has plenty of buildable area. Make it your winter retreat or mini ranch out in this rural community. Enjoy off grid country living and wait for civilization to come this way in the future! Sign will be up and photos taken Saturday.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sammie Hone,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
402
Median Age
57
Population under 18
15.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
35.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$77,500
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$103,911
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.6%
College Graduates
33.8%
Advanced Degrees
19.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
45.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
8''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
108°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
