Small Arizona valley town where residents work in Safford copper mines
Thatcher is a small community between the forested peak of Mount Graham, the jagged, sandy mountains to its north and the neighboring town of Safford. Its housing market is a patchwork of diverse homes and neighborhoods, and a string of local businesses line its main road. “It’s big enough where you can stay in town and have some things to do,” says Joseph Montez, a Realtor with Keller Williams Commercial Southern Arizona. “But you can still relax, and kids play in the streets.” Much of Thatcher’s job market and economy are dependent on the Freeport-McMoRan copper mines, one of which is just north of Safford, while the other is about 50 miles away in Morenci.
Midcentury bungalows, ranchers and a variety of new traditional homes
A variety of residential areas, from contemporary subdivisions and established neighborhoods with wide sidewalks to somewhat recently developed areas with gravel roads, make up Thatcher. Ranch-style homes were largely built from the 1960s through the 1990s, following bungalows from the 1940s and ‘50s, some constructed on lots as large as half an acre. These homes range from $230,000 to $380,000 in price, and many come with storage sheds and workshops.
New constructions built after 2020 in ranch-style, Craftsman and farmhouse renditions, as well as new traditional homes from the turn of the century, fetch between $340,000 and $460,000. Backyards — some as large as an acre — feature distant mountain views and paved patios from which to enjoy them.
A-minus-rated schools and continuing education at Eastern Arizona College
Children in Thatcher may attend kindergarten through second grade at Jack Daley Primary School, which receives a B-plus from Niche. They may move forward to Thatcher Elementary School for grades three through six before enrolling at Thatcher Middle School. Both schools earn A-minus grades. Thatcher High School scores an A-minus as well, and it offers band, choirs and a theater program for artistically inclined students. Those who are interested in career-focused activities can join Future Business Leaders of America, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America or SkillsUSA. Eastern Arizona College offers more than 60 associate degrees, over 35 certificate programs as well as bachelor’s degrees in music education and health sciences.
U.S. Route 70 has Hawaiian, Mexican and American restaurants and grocers
Most of Thatcher’s stores and restaurants are dispersed along U.S. Route 70, which connects to the larger city of Safford. Gameday specials are enjoyed in front of one of 14 high-definition TVs at JD’s Grill House, which serves steaks, burgers and 18 flavors of wings. Entrees at Kainoa’s Hawaiian Grill include a trifecta of rice, mac salad and a choice of meats, including fried spam. Laid-back meals, like wraps, salads, bowls and tacos, are also served in a bright blue dining room with vintage-style booths and mounted surfboards. La Casita Café, a Mexican restaurant that has been family-owned since 1947, is less than two blocks away. Safeway, Food City and Walmart Supercenter sit near each other in eastern Thatcher, near Safford.
Shaded playgrounds in Thatcher green spaces and a golf course
Most of the playgrounds in Thatcher are shaded from the relentless Arizona sun by large roof structures, and the playground next to the Thatcher Splash Park is no exception. Picnic tables and grilling areas make the green space a popular gathering space, and children can cool off under small, sprinkling fountains nearby. Walking paths connect four baseball fields adjacent to the splash pad with a soccer field. Farther north, residents will find another shaded playground and soccer field at H. Lyle Grant Thatcher Park. In the very south end of Thatcher, residential streets surround Mt. Graham Golf Club’s public 18-hole course, set against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped mountains.
Highway connections to Duncan, Safford, Tucson and Phoenix
Thatcher and Central are connected by U.S. Route 70, which continues northwest through Pima and southeast through Safford and Duncan before it reaches Interstate 10. United States Route 70 travels toward Phoenix, roughly 166 miles away, while drivers can follow the interstate to downtown Tucson, which is about 130 miles away. The Safford Regional Airport — approximately 157 miles away — has two daily flights to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where travelers can connect to other airlines and destinations.
Environmental Concerns
Properties in Thatcher, particularly those located on the undeveloped, southwestern outskirts of the community, are at an increased risk of wildfire.
