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Circle City

Circle City

Neighborhood in Surprise, Arizona

Maricopa County 85342

$280,110 Average Value
$236 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

A former retirement community thriving in the Sonoran Desert

Circle City might not be a city, but it is a circle. This rural community, which is laid out in concentric circles around a central park, sits along U.S. Highway 60 between Surprise and Wickenburg in an otherwise undeveloped stretch of the Sonoran Desert. But the circle wasn’t an arbitrary design choice; the shape mimics the logo of The Workmen’s Circle, a Jewish nonprofit group that founded Circle City in the late 1950s as a retirement community for its members, as well as people over 50 of any race or religion. Today, Circle City is a quiet community open to everyone, but its history can be seen in streets named after Jewish leaders and in the faint outline of a menorah on the original synagogue, now a home near the neighborhood’s entrance. There are no houses of worship in the area today; Wittmann Assembly of God church is about 4 miles away, and Beth Emeth Congregation is a 17-mile drive. Duncan Park, at the community’s center, is a popular gathering place, and Highway 60 borders the neighborhood, leading to Wickenburg and Surprise, both within 19 miles. The overall CAP Crime Index Score here is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.

Ranch-style homes built from the 1960s through 2020s

Many of the neighborhood’s ranch-style homes were built around 1960 as part of the area’s initial development; these typically have carports, paved driveways and xeriscaped yards featuring cacti and low-water plants. New ranch-style homes with attached garages have been built as recently as the 2020s; manufactured homes are also available. “A lot of the lots are zoned R3, so you can add another unit,” says Melanie Lakovich, a Realtor with Homesmart who’s sold homes here for 5 years. “There are opportunities for investors to put new manufactured homes in.” Home layouts can range from 800 to 1,700 square feet; size and renovations affect price, which can range from $210,000 to $310,000. “The prices are considerably lower than the greater Phoenix area,” Lakovich says. The community is continuing to grow, and undeveloped lots of about an eighth of an acre are available for $26,000 to $50,000.

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Centrally located Duncan Park

Duncan Park is an open green space in the neighborhood’s center with a playground, picnic tables and a small community center that hosts regular community association meetings. Just outside of the neighborhood, the Sonoran Desert offers plenty of ways to get outside. Much of the land here is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, making it open for off-roading; to the west, the Hassayampa River Trail is a mostly dry riverbed that's especially popular for off-road vehicles and dirt bikes. To the north, the 770-acre Hassayampa River Preserve, where the river flows most of the year, has a rare cottonwood and willow forest that residents can explore. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is around 27 miles northeast, providing a nearby place to camp and cool off by the water.

Country music at Dillon’s at Western Trails Ranch

While there aren’t any stores or restaurants in the community, locals have several options for both within 15 minutes. Dillon’s at Western Trails Ranch is the closest restaurant, serving Kansas-style barbecue and live country music each weekend; from September through April, they also host monthly bull riding and weekly team roping. Wickenburg, 15 miles northwest, has more options, like Cowboy Cookin’, which offers American comfort food in an Old West atmosphere. Wickenburg is also home to local fashion boutiques like Serape Bleu, and the regional grocery store chain Bashas’. Other grocery stores, including Wells Country Store and Family Dollar, can be found to the southeast along Highway 60.

Career and Technical Education at Wickenburg High

Local kids can start school at Morristown Elementary, which earns a B-plus from Niche and serves kids from pre-kindergarten through Grade 8. At the C-rated Wickenburg High, students can enroll in seven Career and Technical Education programs, including construction technologies, culinary arts and business management. Morristown Elementary is located about 4 miles from Circle City, and Wickenburg High is a roughly 18-mile drive.

Along Grand Avenue

Highway 60, also called Grand Avenue, borders the neighborhood's northeast, leading about 15 miles northwest to Wickenburg and 19 miles southeast to Surprise. “It's so easy to get to from U.S. 60,” Lakovich says. “You’re not going 10 minutes to get on the highway; the highway’s right there.” With no public transportation, bike lanes or sidewalks, residents rely on their cars to get around. Wickenburg Community Hospital is around 16 miles northeast, and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center is roughly 17 miles southeast. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 54-mile trip.

Gold Rush Days Senior Pro Rodeo in Wickenburg

Duncan Park regularly hosts community events, including yard sales and crafts fairs. In Wickenburg, the annual Gold Rush Days Senior Pro Rodeo, held each February, has brought cowboys and spectators to the town for 75 years to enjoy bull riding, a parade and carnival rides.

Flooding and wildfire risk

Some homes in the neighborhood are in a Special Flood Hazard Area, a FEMA-designated flood zone. While there is no recent history of flooding, these homes have a higher chance of flood damage, and homeowners may be required to purchase flood insurance. There’s also a risk of wildfire here because Circle City is close to so much undeveloped land, though residents are more likely to experience smoke from nearby fires than any direct effects. There is a fire station in the community’s center, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s app can help residents stay informed.

Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Eric Nagaran
Photography Contributed By
Eric Nagaran
Timothy Cerva
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Timothy Cerva

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Melanie Lakovich, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International

69 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Circle City US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$270,000
Median Single Family Price
$289,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$236
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
13
Months of Supply
4.60
Median List Price
$292,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
0%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
208
Median Year Built
1993
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,198
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Melanie Lakovich, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
874
Median Age
49
Population under 18
17.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.1%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$32,058
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$44,598

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
88.3%
College Graduates
20.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.2%
% Population in Labor Force
55.9%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
8''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
107°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

27 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Circle City