Dewey-Humboldt is a bucolic escape from the big city
Located in Arizona’s high desert, 85 miles north of Phoenix, Dewey-Humboldt is the rural neighbor of Prescott Valley. Dewey and Humboldt are two separate towns that have blended into one community known for farming and seclusion. “It’s very scenic and peaceful, so it’s a good area for people who want that kind of lifestyle,” says Realtor Deanna Poppenberger with Realty One Group Mountain Desert, who has sold in Prescott Valley for 25 years. “It’s more affordable, centrally located near two highways and about 30 minutes closer to Phoenix than Prescott.” Dewey-Humboldt offers a slower pace of life for commuters, farmers and Phoenix residents searching for a second home in the countryside.
A mix of rural and suburban residences
Buyers will find a variety of housing prices and styles. “There are custom homes on ridgetops with views, some farmland in the area and more affordable manufactured housing,” Poppenberger says. Single-family homes often display ranch-style, Spanish Mission and contemporary architecture. Most streets have a rustic feel with a light dusting of desert sand. Newer subdivisions have a more suburban layout with gridded lots, connected by freshly paved sidewalks. The median sales price is $400,000 for homes, almost $300,000 less than the median in Prescott Valley. Manufactured homes typically start in the $100,000 range, while the largest properties on multiple acres can surpass $1 million.
Nearby parks, forests and farms provide recreation
Butte Street Park is the only outdoor gathering space in town and includes benches, a gazebo and a basketball hoop. Green Gulch Trailhead connects hikers and equestrians to the Prescott National Forest next door, which spans 1.25 million acres. Residents can cool off from the desert heat during certain times of year on the Agua Fria River. “There are places in Dewey-Humboldt with river access, but only when the dry creek beds get rain,” Poppenberger says. Locals also frequent Mortimer Farms on the edge of town. “It’s a working farm, and it’s become more commercialized to the public with a fall festival, berry picking, and it’s got a restaurant and store,” Poppenberger says. “People from Phoenix will drive up to come here in the fall.” Prescott Valley has larger community parks and athletic facilities within a few miles, including the Prescott Golf Club, which is open to the public.
Shopping and dining locally and traveling for big-box options
Dewey-Humboldt has little commercial development. Humboldt Station is a row of vintage buildings at the intersection of state Route 69 and Main Street. Shoppers will find a tattoo parlor, a barber shop and town offices in bright-colored buildings. Store signs are written in Wild West-style lettering, and old tractors decorate the area. The shopping center also has a Shell gas station, Subway and Mamma’s Kitchen Café for homestyle cooking. A Family Dollar and a few popular restaurants are farther north on Route 69. Poppenberger says people drive from Prescott Valley to dine at Leff-T’s Steakhouse & Grill, and Blue Hills Café has been a mainstay since 1980. Big-box stores, including Fry’s, Safeway and Walmart, as well as the nearest hospital, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, are about 10 miles away in Prescott Valley.
School choice in the Humboldt Unified School District
Students can apply to any school within the Humboldt Unified School District, though most children begin at Humboldt Elementary, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Bradshaw Mountain Middle and Bradshaw Mountain High score B ratings. High schoolers can take alternative courses through the career and technical education program, such as nursing and business classes.
Two main roads lead to busier areas
State routes 69 and 169 are the main thoroughfares in Dewey-Humboldt. Phoenix is about 85 miles south via Highway 69 and Interstate 17. Prescott Regional Airport, 20 miles away, is the nearest hub for commercial flights.
Checking for safe water near a Superfund site
In 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency will remove debris and toxins from soil in an old Dewey-Humboldt mining site. The land poses a potential threat to water quality. “The biggest thing is to check your wells and ensure arsenic levels are standard,” Poppenberger says. “It can be dealt with through filtration systems.”
