Set about 15 miles southeast of Chandler and Gilbert, Queen Creek is a booming town in Greater Phoenix. “I was raised in the East Valley area, and I’ve seen Queen Creek transform in the last 20 to 25 years,” says Michelle Jernigan, a Realtor with Compass and a Queen Creek resident. "But it really still does have that small-town appeal." Prior to its incorporation in 1989, Queen Creek was an agricultural community dominated by farmland; since 2000, though, Queen Creek’s population has grown from about 4,000 to an estimated 76,000. To accommodate this growth, the town’s actively expanding its parks, building homes and developing its shopping centers.
Healthcare, retail and manufacturing are the town’s leading industries; Intel, Boeing and State Farm are all top employers. According to the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce, it’s typical for residents to have a 30-minute commute to work in neighboring cities like Chandler or Mesa — both known for their growing tech and manufacturing industries. However, tech and manufacturing campuses are also coming to Queen Creek, like LG Energy Solution’s battery complex which is set to be completed in 2026 and will bring thousands of jobs to the town. Despite Queen Creek’s fast-paced growth, Jernigan says that the town’s desert valley landscape and surrounding mountains can still evoke a rural atmosphere.
New communities in Queen Creek are more common than older, established neighborhoods.
Queen Creek’s newest BBQ joint, Caldwell County BBQ is quickly becoming a local favorite.
Small town feels permeate the air in Queen Creek.
Queen Creek is a great choice for Intel employees looking for more affordable housing.
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Park expansion in Queen Creek
Queen Creek is actively developing its parks and recreation scene. For instance, in 2024 the town opened the 85-acre Frontier Family Park, which includes a stocked 5-acre fishing lake, playing fields, and courts for pickleball and basketball; for kids of all abilities, there’s an inclusive playground with a splash pad. A new recreation and aquatic complex is still being built; when complete in 2025, these will include a gym, classrooms and a community pool with waterslides and a lazy river.
The Queen Creek Wash Trail weaves through town, connecting a few other local parks. “The trail is almost 5 miles of paved pathway that starts in Gilbert and runs southeast through Queen Creek. It’s a fantastic option for people who want to ride their bikes and enjoy the weather — we see families using it all the time,” Jernigan says. Bordering Queen Creek to the south, the 10,000-acre San Tan Mountain Regional Park is popular with folks all around the Phoenix metro area. “At San Tan Mountain, you can find lots of different trails for hiking,” Jernigan says. “You can also mountain bike there, and it’s dog friendly.”
Frontier Family Park in Queen Creek has an amazing playground that kids and adults will love
San Tan Mountain Regional Park in Queen Creek offer trails for horseback riding.
Queen Creek’s Frontier Family Park has top notch facilities for a variety of sports.
Kids and parents alike enjoy the playground at Queen Creek’s Founders Park.
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Buyer's market with new construction
With steady residential growth and lots of new construction, Jernigan says Queen Creek is a buyer’s market. “Homes are planned out really well, and we also have the opportunity in Queen Creek to have acreage — you see a lot of custom-built homes here, or sometimes people remodel,” Jernigan says. “We do have several luxurious gated communities, but I wouldn’t say that there are more here than anywhere else.” Common housing styles in this area include new traditional builds with a mix of Spanish- and Mediterranean-inspired elements, like terracotta-tiled roofs, exterior archways and tan or white stucco facades. The median housing price is around $615,000, which is above the national median.
Larger Spanish style homes in Queen Creek can have 4 car garages.
Simple landscaping means you get a low maintenance yard in Queen Creek.
Older homes in Queen Creek have been renovated and tend to have more land than new homes.
Many new communities within Queen Creek have controlled access to help keep you safe.
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Queen Creek Unified School District receives high marks from Niche
Queen Creek is served by several school districts, including the Queen Creek Unified School District, rated B-plus overall by Niche. The district offers a handful of unique opportunities, including a foreign exchange program and career and technical education classes in the culinary arts, graphic design and early childhood education. There are also a few alternative schools in the area, including the A-minus-rated Heritage Academy, a charter school known for its high academic standards and 95% graduation rate. Some residents are zoned for the B-minus-rated J.O. Combs Unified School District or the A-rated Higley Unified School District.
Heritage Academy serves students in grades 9-12.
Queen Creek Middle School shows off its student's artwork.
Sossaman Middle School is a public school that serves students in Queen Creek, AZ.
Students ready themselves for the world at Queen Creek High School in Arizona.
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Farm town roots and the arts
The Queen Creek Olive Mill is a reminder of the area’s historic agricultural identity. “The mill has an enormous amount of trees that they use to produce olive oil,” Jernigan says. “They also have fantastic pizza and wines; you can sit outside under twinkling lights surrounded by olive trees, and it’s such a cute, cool vibe.” Just up the road is the family-owned and operated Schnepf Farms, which features a bakery and hosts year-round community events. “The farm does a huge fall festival, and they do carnivals,” Jernigan says. “They’re also the largest peach grower in the state, so you can go with your family to pick peaches there.”
The Queen Creek Performing Arts Center regularly hosts concerts and theatrical productions throughout the year, and kids can hone their performing chops at the center’s youth camps. Opened in 2024, Pecan Lake Entertainment is one of Queen Creek’s latest developments. Jernigan describes the new complex as a mixed-use family-friendly attraction with mini golf, a ropes course, botanical gardens and more.
Pie at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek has been a local tradition since it was a small farming town
Grab a glass of local wine and a tasty bite at Queen Creek Olive Mill.
Queen Creek Performing Arts Center brings the broadway style shows to the community.
Pecan Lake is a one stop shop for all things entertainment in Queen Creek.
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Shopping at Queen Creek Marketplace & District
The town's two main open-air shopping plazas are set right across the street from one another. “The Queen Creek Marketplace and Queen Creek District are really the hub of all the shopping. It’s all outdoor — everything you can think of is in this one area,” Jernigan says. At Queen Creek District, residents can find groceries, boutique stores and a variety of eateries, from cafes and fast-food chains to date-night restaurants. The Queen Creek Marketplace has a Kohl's department store and big-box retailers like Target. There’s also lots of dining options and family-friendly entertainment, like Harkins Theatres and Dave & Buster’s. Jernigan also mentions that there are a couple of golf courses around town that feature onsite dining: “Las Colinas Golf Club has a restaurant called Social Birdie, where you can sit outside and enjoy live music,” she says.
Queen Creek Marketplace has all the big box shopping options you’d expect.
Skippy's in Queen Creek is a neighborhood cantina serving Mexican and American plates.
Head over to Caldwell County BBQ in Queen Creek, where the sides are just as amazing as the BBQ.
National chain retail stores dominate the shopping market in Queen Creek.
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Getting around from Queen Creek
Queen Creek is about 15 miles southeast of Gilbert and Chandler, a 25- to 45-minute drive during rush hour; Phoenix is 37 miles northwest. There isn’t public transportation in Queen Creek, so locals drive to get around, though most streets are lined with sidewalks and bike lanes. Route 202 is found 3 miles north, and travels throughout Greater Phoenix. Banner Ironwood Medical Center is at the south end of town. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is about 4 miles north, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 33 miles northwest.
Crime and environmental concerns
The Queen Creek Police Department was established in 2022, and locals can use the department’s website to view live crime updates on the online incident map. According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the total number of reported crimes in Queen Creek decreased from 824 to 755 incidents between 2022 and 2023. Residents can volunteer with the Queen Creek PD's Patrol Support, helping to report suspected criminal or life-threatening activity.
Extreme heat and wildfires are environmental concerns in Queen Creek. Due to the desert climate, summer temperatures regularly top 100 degrees; the Town Council suggests staying hydrated and limiting outdoor activities to the morning and evening. There haven’t been any recent wildfires in Queen Creek, but there are five fire stations that respond to local emergencies. Folks can sign up for the Maricopa County Emergency Alert System to receive notifications about severe weather.
Written By
Travis Rocha
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Nelson
Video By
Timothy Cerva
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Bonny L. Holland,
an experienced agent in this area.
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 Queen Creek, AZ sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Queen Creek, AZ over the last 12 months is $538,290, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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