Located about 35 miles south of Phoenix, Maricopa is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, having swelled from 1,000 to 75,000 residents between 2000 and 2024. In the mid-19th century, Maricopa was a stagecoach stop along the San Antonio–San Diego Mail Line, but today it's expanding within the Phoenix metro area. “Maricopa is extremely popular for those priced out of Chandler,” says Amber Perks, a Realtor with Exp Realty and over six years of industry experience. “It used to be entirely just houses and fast-food chains but has recently seen much more development in the area, with new restaurants and big brand stores popping up.”
The Maricopa Indian Preservation borders Maricopa to the west, and the Ak-Chin Indian Community is headquartered in the city. Top local employers include Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino, the City of Maricopa, and Maricopa Unified School District. However, most residents commute to other Phoenix-area hubs, like Chandler or Mesa, often for jobs in information technology, agribusiness and manufacturing. “We are still somewhat of a bedroom community,” says Brady Murrary, a Realtor with The Maricopa Real Estate Company and over six years of experience. “A major focus for the city is to bring jobs here and get that retail and restaurant revenue, as well.”
As of late 2024, discussions are underway for the University of Arizona to build a research park in the city, which may also include commercial development and can break ground as early as 2025. The city has also approved developments like PHX Surf, a surf park, and Estrella Gin Business Park, which would add 300,000 square feet of office/warehouse space.
Rancho El Dorado train aficionados will enjoy the nearby Maricopa Train Museum.
When it comes to shopping in Rancho El Dorado, there are many big box stores to choose from.
Harra’s Ak-Chin Casino is one of Maricopa’s top employers.
Agriculture is still big business in and around Maricopa.
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New homes built every year
Most homes in Maricopa are set in sidewalk-lined subdivisions and have been built since the early 2000s; about 1,500 new houses are built here each year. New traditional homes are common, often with Spanish stylings like tan or red stucco facades, smooth exterior archways and terracotta-tiled roofs. The median home price in Maricopa is about $375,000, compared to $530,000 in Chandler and about $460,000 in Phoenix. Homes in Maricopa typically sell after 74 days on the market, higher than the national average of 44 days.
Tile roofs, commonly found in Rancho El Dorado, typically last up to 50 years.
Find your perfect match among the diverse array of homes nestled within Glennwilde Groves.
Desert landscaping graces the front of many homes in Rancho El Dorado.
Experience the natural wonders and modern amenities that make Maricopa, AZ truly beautiful.
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Maricopa schools offer unique opportunities
Maricopa is served by the Maricopa Unified School District, which Niche rates an overall B-minus. The district offers several academic programs, including Dual Language Immersion for kindergarten through Grade 3, where students’ days are split evenly between English- and Spanish-language instruction. High school students can pursue their interests in career and technical education courses like engineering, graphic design and stagecraft.
Kids attending Butterfield Elementary School in Maricopa can walk, bike or ride the bus.
Refreshing moments in the inviting green space outside Maricopa's Desert Wind Middle School
Learning and growing together at Maricopa Elementary School in sunny Maricopa, Arizona.
Maricopa High School’s first freshman class hosted 35 students.
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Indoor and outdoor recreation at Cooper Sky
The 98-acre Copper Sky Regional Park is Maricopa’s largest park, with a dog park, skate plaza and sports facilities for basketball, volleyball and baseball; the park's Copper Sky Multigenerational Center offers a daycare, gym, community pool and fitness classes. The 25-acre Pacana Park is another highlight for its playing fields, picnic shelters and paved walking path that wraps around a fishing lake stocked with sunfish and largemouth bass. About 15 miles southwest, folks can hike the Haley Hills for panoramic desert views.
Step into serenity at Pacana Park, Maricopa's premier destination for outdoor bliss.
Young women play a tough game of soccer at Maricopa’s Copper Sky Regional Park.
Take your four-legged friends to the off-leash park at Maricopa’s Copper Sky Regional Park.
Maricopa is surrounded by desert scenery, a great place for those who like to adventure.
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Special events at the park
Annual events are often held at Copper Sky Regional Park, like the Copa Cultural Night Market in April, where folks show off their cultural pride in exciting dance and music displays at the park’s amphitheater. Other popular traditions include the Great American Fourth celebration, which includes a tailgate, pool party and a nighttime fireworks display. There’s also a fall concert in the park series, and performers of all kinds take the stage at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino. Locals can audition with the Maricopa Community Theatre to join in on the fun of the performing arts.
To support its emerging arts and culture scene, the City of Maricopa regularly asks local artists to submit their work for public display. One example is a collection of 19 horse sculptures that symbolize the city's pioneer past; dotted around the city, each of these horses has a unique southwestern design.
Maricopa is a proud farming community south of Phoenix.
The city of Maricopa celebrates its local artists ad history with horse statues around town.
Each horse statue around Maricopa is unique and celebrates a part of the areas history.
Maricopa is home to Apex Motor Club, where several events are held throughout the year.
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Shopping and dining around Route 347
Most shopping and dining, including grocery stores, national chains and small businesses, are concentrated around Route 347. There are a couple of shopping centers in the area, like Edison Pointe Complex, where folks can find fast food and national retailers. Locally owned dining options are limited, compared to a larger city like Chandler; however, there’s still a healthy mix of cafes, bars and restaurants offering Mexican, Italian and American dishes. Currently, the city is building new shopping centers, including the 200,000-square-foot South Bridge Marketplace, which will have big-box retailers, chain eateries and family-friendly entertainment.
Indulge in gourmet comfort food and drinks at Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers near Glennwilde Groves.
Experience top-notch grooming services at Chi-Town Barber Shop & Salon near Glennwilde Groves.
Explore a wide range of smoking and vaping products at The Smokers Edge near Glennwilde Groves.
Experience the natural and organic difference at Sprouts in Maricopa.
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Getting around from Maricopa
Maricopa is about 35 miles south of Phoenix, a 45- to 80-minute drive during rush hour. Route 347 is the main road through town, which merges with Interstate 10 about 16 miles northeast. “The biggest downside of living in Maricopa is that there is only one road in and out of town, so the traffic can be pretty brutal, especially when there’s an accident,” Perks says. City streets are generally pedestrian-friendly and lined with sidewalks and bike lanes. Public transportation is limited, but there’s an Amtrak station in the city that also offers Amtrak Thruway, a bus route to Tempe. Exceptional Community Hospital and Ak-Chin Regional Airport are located in the city, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 31 miles north.
Crime and environmental concerns
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the overall number of violent- and property-related crimes reported in Maricopa has decreased from about 900 to 700 between 2013 and 2023. The Maricopa Police Department offers community safety programs like Park Patrol, where local volunteers patrol Pacana Park in two-hour golf cart shifts.
Due to the city’s desert climate, most days are sunny and temperatures easily top 100 degrees from June through August; trips to the aquatics center or air-conditioned days inside are common ways to beat the heat. Maricopa is also at risk of wildfires. In April of 2024, a wildfire burned about 340 acres of desert shrubs about 9 miles south of Maricopa; one structure was damaged, but no injuries were reported. Locals can sign up for emergency alerts through the city’s website, and four fire stations in the city respond to emergencies.
Written By
Travis Rocha
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Nelson
Video By
Bill Jennings
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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.
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On average, homes in Maricopa, AZ sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Maricopa, AZ over the last 12 months is $359,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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