Border community boasting various employment opportunities
In Arizona’s southwest corner, San Luis is the first city in the United States that people enter from its Mexican sister city, San Luis Rio Colorado. The city's agricultural opportunities are why it was established as a port of entry in the 1930s for laborers from its Mexican sister city. “The city’s location on the U.S.-Mexico border creates a unique cultural and economic synergy, offering residents a bilingual, multicultural experience,” says Armando Esparza, the director of economic development and government affairs for the City of San Luis. “It’s a city where tradition meets progress, with ongoing developments making it a dynamic place to live, work and visit.”
San Luis has grown exponentially since the 1950s, when its population hovered around 200. Today, the city has a population of almost 38,000, 93% of which identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to the United States Census. The city’s growth can be linked to a farming initiative that brought Mexican laborers closer to work, the construction of Main Street’s first gasoline station and the arrival of major business chains. In addition to companies in the farming sector, the Arizona State Prison system and Gadsden Unified School District are major employers.
San Luis, Arizona is a gateway to Mexico, blending cultures and experiences.
San Luis locals enjoy a variety of events at downtown Yuma, Arizona.
1/2
Neighborhoods bordered by fields and Mexico
Neighborhoods are tucked between the farm fields in the western and northern areas and the border to the south. Flat properties have modern adobe homes and single-story Spanish Revivals. The median single-family home price is $245,000, while Yuma County’s median is around $257,000, according to the National Association of Realtors.
San Luis is a city in southwestern Arizona, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
San Luis has a growing population of around 37,000 residents.
1/2
Main Street to Mexico and Yuma
Main Street—part of U.S. Route 95—runs less than a mile south into Mexico and north to Yuma and the Yuma International Airport, both about 25 miles away. “San Luis’s proximity to destinations in Arizona and Mexico provides residents with the unique advantage of bi-national living, offering cultural diversity and a thriving cross-border economy,” Esparza says. The Yuma International Airport (YUM) has round-trip flights to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX). January 2025 marks the beginning of about two years of construction for San Luis’s first hospital, the Border Health Medical Campus. The hospital will be located on the city’s eastern side, accessible by Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
Main Street redevelopment plus shopping and cultural centers
Regional food markets, fast food chains and restaurants with Mexican cuisine and seafood dot the area from local shopping centers to Main Street. In 2021, the city shared its master plan to redevelop the downtown by adding new pavement, crosswalks and lighting for on-street parking. All improvements were completed by December 2024. Cesar Chavez Cultural Center is located on Main Street and offers various classes in the arts and fitness.
San Luis locals head over to Panchitas for traditional Mexican cuisine.
Tacos El Chipilon is a popular Mexican food restaurant in San Luis, Arizona.
1/2
Athletic leagues, parks and Spooktacular Carnival
The city has various sports leagues, including co-ed kickball and youth baseball, for the community to engage with the parks that spot the area. Playgrounds are also a popular park feature. Joe Orduño Park includes multiple baseball and softball diamonds, the San Luis Recreation Center and the city’s public pool and aquatic center. The park, in addition to Main Street, hosts annual events, including the Fourth of July festival and Spooktacular Carnival, which combines trunk or treat with a fall festival featuring food vendors, games and live music. “A new event is the Asado & Brew Festival, held in November to celebrate Founders Day. This free, family-friendly event features live music from local and regional bands and a variety of food vendors,” Esparza says. “A central attraction is the asado competition, where participants vie for titles such as Best Asado, Best Side Dish and Best Salsa.”
Locals go to San Luis Aquatic Center to learn how to swim.
Children enjoy the playground at Eligio Ramirez Park in San Luis.
1/2
San Luis High to Arizona Western College
Gadsden Elementary School District has kindergarten through eighth-grade schools and earns a C grade from Niche. San Luis High School, within the C-plus Yuma Union High School District, serves the city’s ninth through 12th-grade students. The high school maintains a C-minus and offers 38 dual enrollment courses with Arizona Western College, a local community college with over 170 degree and certificate pathways.
San Luis crime statistics and county comparison
The San Luis Police Department reports that from 2021 to 2024, property crimes decreased while violent crime figures mainly remained the same. Meanwhile, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office reports that both violent and property figures dropped throughout the area. San Luis High School partners with the San Luis Police Department for Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes in criminal justice.
John Endres has been a licensed real estate agent for 25 years in the Yuma community. Along with his real estate career, John also served 31 years in the U.S.Army as a military police/detainee operations. John deployed to Afghanistan twice. John's 2 careers definitely complement each other. John believes in good communication and clear and concise instructions to complete the mission of buying or selling a home. After your real estate experience you will always have a friend in Yuma with John Endres
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.
