Straddling the route from Prescott in the north to Phoenix in the south, the community of Mayer, Arizona has changed little since its founding in the waning years of the Old West. “It’s a cute, little historic town,” says Realtor Paula Smith with RE/MAX Mountain Properties, who has sold several properties in the area. “It was a mining town, and it’s got little, old homes in it.” Many of Mayer’s streets appear to be frozen in time from the first decade of the 20th century. False-front buildings still sit along main roads, while residences built in the 1910s continue to attract new owners. Access to State Route 69 ensures that, while Mayer can continue to retain its vintage feel, major urban centers are within easy reach.
A vintage town with an Old West feel
While the original community of Mayer was destroyed by a dam collapse in 1890 and was recently impacted by the Goodwin Fire of 2017, this town was rebuilt in the 1910s and still features that Old Western feel. “There’s not a lot of new construction, but that’s a charm of its own,” Smith says. “It also has good access to get out of the heat from Phoenix.” This cooler climate brought hundreds of residences – built as early as the 1910s and as recently as the early 2020s. Ranch-style homes built in the 20th century vary in price from $285,000 to $420,000, while 21st-century, single-story houses with hilltop views can fetch between $650,000 and $1.5 million. Mayer’s hilly terrain means that some streets run parallel to the highway, while others sit atop hills and offer commanding views of the town and the surrounding Bradshaw Mountains.
Hardass Customs is a motorcycle shop in Mayer.
Mayer is an Old West settlement that still features false-front buildings.
1/2
Community celebrations in Mayer
Mayer’s residents come together both through local places of worship and through community events. The Mayer Community Church, a pillar of the community since 1960, hosts hiking trips in the nearby hills as well as potlucks for all members of the community. The community of Mayer also hosts the Mayer Daze festival each October, in which a parade kicks off a day full of barbecuing, showing off classic cars, pony rides, auctions and even karaoke.
Exploring hiking trails and an experimental town
Mayer’s location offers no shortage of opportunities for outdoor adventures. “You’re going to go on trails and take off into the mountains; there’s abundant Bureau of Land Management areas around there,” Smith says. In Mayer are the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail and the Big Bug Trailhead, both of which take equestrians, hikers and cyclists past arroyos, scrubland and desert hills. Plus, the Mayer Centennial Park is in town with a playground for the kids. The nearby experimental town of Arcosanti is a popular destination for family trips, featuring unique architectural designs conceived by architect Paolo Soleri as a sustainable community of the future. Since its founding in 1970, this experimental town has also held workshops to provide aspiring artists from near and far with experience in glassblowing, photography and urban planning.
Big Bug Trailhead is part of Black Canyon Trail in Spring Valley.
Acrosanti is an experimental town in Yavapai County that offers tours and hosts a festival.
1/2
Career readiness at Mayer High
Mayer Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through 8th grade, receives a B-minus rating from Niche. Mayer High School has a C-plus rating. Mayer High provides students unique opportunities for workforce development, including a Joint Technical Education District (JTED) program to cultivate certified medical assistants.
Mayer Elementary School is rated a B- from Niche.com.
Spring Valley’s Mayer High School is home of the Wildcats.
1/2
Access to shopping and biking
As an older, rural town, Mayer’s shopping conveniences are limited. A Family Dollar grocery store offers a basic variety of household goods and groceries, while a Circle K across the street covers refueling and snack needs. Nearby Prescott Valley, an approximately 25-minute drive up State Route 69, offers Safeway, a Fry’s supermarket, a Walmart and several other retail giants. Mayer has no restaurants of its own, but Prescott Valley and nearby Cordes Lakes are home to chain restaurants like McDonald’s and the occasional local business like Cordes Lakes’ El Gordo Real Mexican Grill takeout venue. As Arizona has long been an attractive destination for motorcyclists, Mayer has its very own Harley-Davidson dealer and ample freeway to cruise down.
Highway connections to nearby cities
State Route 69 runs through Mayer, connecting this community with Prescott 27 miles to the north and the Phoenix metropolitan area 80 miles to the south. Prescott Valley’s Yavapai Regional Health Center is an 18-mile drive up the state route.
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
Charming 3-bedroom home on a spacious lot in Mayer! Enjoy the cozy front porch and a large covered back deck overlooking a sloped backyard that offers added privacy. The fenced front yard includes a great area for gardening. A ramp provides easy access to the back, and two large sheds offer ample storage or workshop space. This home blends comfort, functionality, and outdoor living in a peaceful
Build your dream home on this 1.26-acre lot in Mayer, AZ, complete with power, natural gas, and water to the lot line. A graded pad is already in place, making it easier and faster to start construction or place a manufactured home. This parcel offers easy access via maintained roads and a peaceful rural setting with beautiful views, while still being a short drive from Prescott Valley and
Welcome to your dream retreat in the peaceful community of Mayer! This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath doublewide home is perfectly sited on 3 usable acres with panoramic mountain views and room for all your lifestyle needs. Enjoy the best of country living with city conveniences like paved roads and city water. The 2-car tandem garage and spacious shed provide plenty of storage, while the expansive
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennie Shook,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,083
Median Age
56
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
16.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
34.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,905
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,419
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.7%
College Graduates
15.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
48.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
23''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
13/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
