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New River

New River

Located in Maricopa County

$779,118 Average Value
$317 Average Price per Sq Ft
53 Homes For Sale

Rural living in Phoenix's North Valley

Located about 35 miles north of Downtown Phoenix, the unincorporated North Valley community of New River sits right on Interstate 17, within the mountain foothills of the Sonoran Desert and at the edge of Tonto National Forest. Home to fewer than 19,000 people, it's defined by wide-open spaces, a sense of freedom and lower home prices than neighboring Cave Creek. “New River is very rural,” says longtime area resident Jeff Seman, owner and broker at Ironwood Fine Properties. “It’s great for people who want an acre and to be able to keep an RV or some horses on their property and not have any restrictions on the kind of home they can build." Many New River residents commute throughout the Valley, while the sprawling new Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company plant, a major area employer, is just south of the community.

Elevate your lifestyle in New River's mountainscapes.
Elevate your lifestyle in New River's mountainscapes.
Navigate the desert landscape and journey down I-17 for a scenic view.
Navigate the desert landscape and journey down I-17 for a scenic view.
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Homes on acreage without HOA restrictions

In early 2025, New River's median home price is $670,000, up 5% since early 2024, but still lower than the $900,000 median in neighboring Cave Creek. Single-family and manufactured homes sit on parcels of 1 to 5 acres, and there’s no homeowners association to dictate rules and guidelines. "It’s like the wild west," says Seman. "You could have a trailer right next to a million-dollar home. A lot of people want their piece of land with a septic tank and their own wells so they’re not relying on anybody else’s water.” Homes date from the late 20th century to the 2020s, and while styles vary significantly, many are Santa Fe-style, traditional ranch-style or sprawling custom estates. “New River is ideal for people that are not looking for suburban neighborhoods,” says area resident Angela Jacques, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty.

Endless possibilities unfold on these sprawling acres in New River, AZ.
Endless possibilities unfold on these sprawling acres in New River, AZ.
From above, witness the seamless blend of New River's homes and the desert wilderness.
From above, witness the seamless blend of New River's homes and the desert wilderness.
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Access to expansive nearby trail systems

New River doesn’t have any community parks, though its proximity to the sprawling Tonto National Forest provides residents with miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Cave Creek Regional Park spans 3,000 acres, where the popular Go John Trail makes a 6-mile loop through the Sonoran Desert’s mountainous terrain. The 20-acre New River Nature Preserve features a rare willow and cottonwood forest with trails that are especially popular for birdwatching. On the community’s south end, the Desert Hills Trailhead connects hikers to the sprawl.

Bull riding at the local saloon, with grocery, retail and dining options in neighboring Anthem

While New River is limited in shopping and dining options, Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon is a local institution in Western-themed digs, serving hearty American comfort fare with a side of Saturday night entertainment that includes live music and bull riding.

Plenty of additional dining options can be found in neighboring Anthem, which is home to a wide array of locally owned eateries and popular chain restaurants. Anthem’s Safeway, Fry’s and Walmart are the local go-tos for groceries, while Outlets North Phoenix is home to over 50 popular retailers.

Hybrid and career learning options in Deer Valley Unified School District

Students are served by Deer Valley Unified School District, which Niche grades A overall and names among the top ten districts in Arizona. With about 35,000 students across over 40 schools, it’s the fifth largest in the state. Through Aspire, the district’s online learning academy, students of all grade levels have access to flexible hybrid learning options. District high schoolers can also enroll in a variety of hands-on career and technical education courses in their chosen field.

A lack of public transportation and a heavy reliance on personal vehicles

New River is located right on Interstate 17, connecting drivers to destinations throughout the Valley, including Downtown Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about 35 miles away. While New River doesn’t have any medical facilities of its own, HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center is just south.

A lower risk of violent and property crime than the national average

New River doesn’t have its own police department and instead contracts service from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. New River has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, compared to the national average score of 4.

Sweltering summer temps

While the North Valley experiences cooler temperatures than Phoenix because of the higher elevation, residents can still experience dangerously hot summer temperatures that exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lauren Schott
Written By
Lauren Schott
Alex Medina
Photography Contributed By
Alex Medina
Anne Sheridan
Video By
Anne Sheridan

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Schools

Source:
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

Area Facts

Number of Homes
1,906
Number of Homes for Sale
53
Median Year Built
2001
Months of Supply
5.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,358
Above the national average
1,930
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Mar 21
    Open Sat 12PM - 2PM

    1617 W Maddock Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85086

    $1,275,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 3,273 Sq Ft
    • 1617 W Maddock Rd

    Welcome to 1617 W Maddock Rd in the heart of Desert Hills, situated on 1.35+ acres you will find that space, privacy, and lifestyle all come together. Whether you envision horses, RVs, toys, or simply wide-open skies, this property delivers freedom without sacrificing style. The property is thoughtfully laid out with two RV gates, extensive private parking, and a 4 car garage, making it ideal for

    Cariste Harlan Compass

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  • Saturday, Mar 21
    Open Sat 11AM - 2PM

    43805 N 43rd Dr, New River, AZ 85087

    $645,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,823 Sq Ft
    • 43805 N 43rd Dr
    • New 4 days ago

    Stunning Anthem West home with the sought-after Bolero floor plan! Curb appeal shines with mature, low-maintenance landscaping and a 2-car garage. Inside, enjoy 24'' tile in high-traffic areas, neutral paint, 10' ceilings, stylish fixtures, and a spacious living/dining room. The bright family room opens to the kitchen, promoting a greater traffic flow for easy entertaining. The kitchen features

    Stephanie Howland Keller Williams, Professional Partners

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  • Saturday, Mar 21
    Open Sat 10:30AM - 12:30PM

    39516 N Noble Hawk Ct, Phoenix, AZ 85086

    $524,900

    • 5 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,199 Sq Ft
    • 39516 N Noble Hawk Ct

    Welcome home to this beautifully maintained Reunion floor plan, perfectly situated on a premium cul-de-sac lot offering five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Backed by two wash lots, this home enjoys exceptional privacy and an unusually large yard. The cul-de-sac faces a charming pocket park and is just a short walk to Liberty Bell Park, the Splash Pad, and Diamond Canyon Elementary—an ideal

    Lisa Groth RE/MAX Fine Properties

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

New River Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
14,527
Median Age
49
Population under 18
19.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$114,146
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$132,745

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.4%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
34.5%
Advanced Degrees
10.5%
% Population in Labor Force
71.4%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
104°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat friendly

Bike Score®®

20 / 100

Not friendly

Walk Score®®

10 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
New River