Drexel Heights sits south of Tucson, where adobe houses and parks shape communities. The Tohono O’odham Nation were some of the first to live in the region and continue to have strong ties to this residential city. During a visit to the area in 1692, a father established the San Xavier del Bac Mission; today, the Spanish Baroque-style mission is a national historic landmark that hosts masses on the Tohono O’odham Nation land just south of the community. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is also affiliated with Drexel Heights and operates Casino del Sol, one of the city’s primary sources of revenue. The area’s 27,000 residents are also close to Tucson employers, including those in the aerospace and technology fields.
San Xavier Mission near Midvale Park is AZ's oldest European structure dating back to 1797.
Casino Del Sol provides Drexel Heights with employment and entertainment.
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Tucson Mountain Village and subdivisions to stand-alone homes
Communities include landscaped and subdivided areas with Spanish-influenced new traditional homes, such as Tucson Mountain Village in northern Drexel Heights. Farther south, areas such as Mission Valley have stand-alone ranch-style homes with expansive lots. The median home price in Drexel Heights is $307,000, about $100,000 lower than the national median.
Mission Valley in Drexel Heights offers wider, ranch-style homes with larger lot sizes.
Tucson Mountain Village near Drexel Heights has contemporary designs with newer builds.
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Local connections to Tucson’s technology companies and hospitals
West Ajo Highway runs west and east through northern Drexel Heights and intersects Interstate 19, which connects Tucson to Mexico. According to Realtor Tony Ray Baker with RE/MAX Professionals, licensed since 1994, West Ajo Highway is like a second freeway connecting the area to the border city of Lukeville. “There is no big giant corporation there except the casino, but all of your corporate is going to be down Interstate 10 towards Raytheon and the Pima Air Museum.” West Valencia Road connects Drexel Heights with the Tucson International Airport in less than 10 miles. The airport has flights connecting travelers to over 400 cities worldwide. Urgent care facilities and clinics dot central thoroughfares such as West Valencia Road.
Two-way dual language in Tucson Unified School District
Niche grades Tucson Unified School District a B grade overall. The district has a two-way dual language program, with 90% of instruction in Spanish and 10% in English during kindergarten and first grade. Starting in second grade, the instruction ratio changes to 80-20 and continues to decrease yearly until fifth grade, when instruction is split evenly in both languages.
Raul Grijalva Elementary School serves grades K-5 in Tucson, Arizona.
Pistor Middle School serves grades 6-8 in Tucson, Arizona.
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Pima County parks and Tucson Mountain Park trails
Local parks include various athletic facilities, splash pads and playgrounds that Pima County maintains. Drexel Heights Community Center and the Manzanita Pool, which has an admission fee, are centrally located. Although trail access is limited to a few parks in the community, Tucson’s trails, including those at Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park West, are accessible within a 15-mile drive. Drexel Heights sits in an area of the Sonoran Desert known for summers with average temperatures of 101F and monsoon season from June 15 to September 30.
Tucson Mountain Park has over 20,000 acres and 62 miles of trails.
Winston Reynolds - Manzanita Park in Drexel Heights serves the community with a wide variety of activity areas.
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National retailers from Manzanita Plaza to Spectrum Tucson
Many local restaurants serve Mexican and American fare. Chain restaurants are located near shopping centers with national grocery chains, such as Manzanita Plaza. “There are indoor things to do if it’s raining those 10 days a year or during monsoons,” Baker says. Tucson Spectrum is a shopping mall with national retailers and Harkins Theatres cinema. Nearby, Main Event is one of several indoor entertainment centers. The Casino del Sol is nearby and has the Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre, an open-air venue that hosts touring comedians and musicians.
Drexel Heights is minutes from Casino Del Sol which has a hotel, golf, concert venue and large casino area.
Serving the Drexel Heights area since 1949, Karichimaka Restaurant features fresh Sonoran Mexican food.
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Crime trends in Pima County and across Arizona
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office serves Drexel Heights since the community does not have a police department. Violent crime decreased by about 17% between 2021 and 2024, while property crime increased by less than a percentage point, according to data from the sheriff’s office. Meanwhile, the total property crimes reported to the FBI state-wide decreased by about 33% and violent crimes dropped by about 23%.
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Video By
Taylor Gilbert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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Colleen M McDonaldRealty Executives Arizona Territory
Special offer: Pay just 50% of your base rent (taxes and fees not included) as your security deposit, valid for new applicants who sign a 12-month lease by December 31, 2025. Offer is contingent on application approval and execution of a lease agreement. Other terms and conditions may apply. This property is professionally managed by AMH Living, a leading single-family rental company. We work to
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