Set in the Sonoran Desert roughly 50 miles southeast of Phoenix, Coolidge has been inhabited for over 1,000 years. Originally settled by the Hohokams around the 4th century, Coolidge wasn’t officially named until the early 20th century when it began to establish itself as a small farming town. Today, the budding city is home to about 16,000 people, fueled by agriculture and manufacturing industries—the top areas of employment. “It used to be a tiny little farming town, but with the developments that started coming in, it’s changed a lot,” says Josiah Miller, a Realtor with Josiah Miller Homes who has lived in the Phoenix area for over 20 years. Despite the city’s growth, Coolidge retains a small-town identity with historic character, surrounded by industrial parks and fields of hay and cotton.
Take a step back in time at Casa Grande National Monument in Coolidge.
Rockhounds will love the Pinal Geology Museum, located on the main drag in Coolidge.
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New master-planned communities and older neighborhoods without HOA
“Land is lower-priced out here than it is in The Valley,” Miller says. The median home price in Coolidge is about $325,000, compared to Phoenix’s median of about $450,000. “There are newly built subdivisions, but some parts of Coolidge are ranches and farms,” Miller says.
In central Coolidge, older subdivisions are generally laid out in a grid without sidewalks or homeowners associations, compared to newer neighborhoods, like Heartland Ranch, which are sidewalk-lined and master-planned with homeowners associations and recreation like walking trails and small playgrounds. Late 20th-century homes are generally bungalows or ranch-style, while 21st-century homes are often desert-hued New Traditional and Spanish-style. Ranch-style homes with desert-landscaped, 1-acre lots are typically found toward the outskirts of town.
Closer to Downtown Coolidge, many Ranch homes sit on larger grassy lots.
Spanish style stucco homes offer homeowners a low maintenance exterior for worry free living.
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Career training programs at Coolidge schools
Coolidge is part of the Coolidge Unified School District, which serves about 2,500 students and earns an overall C from Niche. The B-minus-rated Coolidge High is the district’s only high school, offering a career and technical education program in subjects like culinary arts, agriscience and sports medicine.
Coolidge Junior High School teaches around 350 students according to GreatSchools.com.
Coolidge High School was established in 1939 and underwent a renovation in 2005.
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Celebrating the 30th president each fall
In October, Coolidge Days is an annual celebration of the city and its namesake, President Calvin Coolidge, who dedicated the Coolidge Dam that helped fertilize local land. “Calvin Coolidge Days is a big thing here with the parade,” says Angel Bolan-Ervin, Realtor for the Kenworthy Team of RE/MAX A Bar Z and lifelong resident of Coolidge. Held at San Carlos Park, the three-day event is packed with entertainment, including an annual 5k race, live music and lots of carnival food and rides. In March, Cotton Days celebrates the local crop and export and includes traditions like the cotton bale rolling competition. “Coolidge Days and the Cotton Days are big events for bringing the community together,” Bolan-Ervin says. There are also smaller events throughout the year, including seasonal traditions like Easter in the Park and the Christmas Light Parade.
Getting around Coolidge using South Arizona Boulevard
South Arizona Boulevard (also referred to as Highway 287) crosses Coolidge, merging with Interstate 10 about 30 miles away and leading to Phoenix, 50 miles away. “That’s your main way through town,” Miller says. Cotton Express buses run in the city, and Central Arizona Regional Transit buses connect residents to neighboring cities, including Florence and Casa Grande. Most residents regularly drive, and both Miller and Bolan-Ervin note that some residents commute to Phoenix for work—a 60- to 80-minute drive during rush hour. “You can still work in The Valley—your commute’s just a little bit longer,” Miller says. HonorHealth Florence Medical Center is 10 miles away, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 50 miles away.
Arizona Boulevard establishments with local flair
The shopping and dining scene here is limited compared to a metro area like Phoenix, but there’s still a healthy mix of national chains and small businesses in town. Most stores and restaurants are found in central Coolidge along South Arizona Boulevard, the city’s main thoroughfare. There are fast-food chains like Pizza Hut and Dairy Queen alongside locally owned spots like Tag’s Cafe, a no-frills, Mexican-American diner, and family-owned Casa Palomino Mexican Restaurant—a city staple for over 30 years. There are also several grocers in the area, including Mi Torito for deli cuts and specialty Mexican ingredients, as well as a Walmart. There isn’t much nightlife in Coolidge, but hometown spots like Gallopin’ Goose Bar and Grill are popular for an evening out.
Tag’s Cafe in Coolidge is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch.
Gallopin’ Goose in Coolidge has been entertaining patrons since 1935.
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San Carlos Park and Hohokam culture at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
There are about a dozen parks and shared spaces for locals to enjoy in Coolidge. The centrally located San Carlos Park is among the most popular, with a tree-dotted field, playground and covered picnic area. Residents head to Kenilworth Sports Complex for multi-use fields and baseball/softball, while Walker Park’s the place for a pick-up game of basketball or sand volleyball. During the summer, the Coolidge Aquatic Center is an oasis that includes community pools, water slides and splash features.
Miller recommends the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, where folks may learn about Hohokam culture and admire ancient architecture. “It’s a big attraction out here,” Bolan-Ervin says. “It’s a popular tourist destination.” Amateur historians may also be interested in the Pinal Geology & Mineral Museum—the only science museum in Pinal County.
Bring the family for a day of fun and picnicking at San Carlos Park in Downtown Coolidge.
Casa Grande National Monument sits on the north end of Coolidge.
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Crime and environmental factors
According to FBI statistics, the number of violent- and property-related crimes reported in Coolidge decreased roughly 55% between 2013 and 2023, from 732 to 327. Between 2018 and 2023, about 85% of these incidents were property-related, compared to 80% nationally.
Extreme summer heat is an ongoing environmental concern here; temperatures from June through August regularly top 100 degrees. Wildfires are also a risk, but there haven’t been any in recent years; two fire stations in the city respond to local emergencies.
Written By
Travis Rocha
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Nelson
Video By
Jahlil Harris
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
James Greenwalt,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
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