$222,456Average Value$201Average Price per Sq Ft10Homes For Sale
Northern, revitalized Tucson neighborhood close to local shops
Located 3 miles from downtown Tucson, Balboa Heights is a Northern Tucson area that’s grown over the years. “It’s a modest, great place in the middle of the city,” says Tony Baker, Realtor for RE/MAX Professionals who grew up in the neighborhood; he says there weren’t as many amenities back then compared to today. “Now, there’s more sidewalks, trees near Miracle Mile and a more active association with a mixture of people.” Baker says Balboa Heights attracts first-time homebuyers with bungalows from the 1940s and ‘50s , as well as views of the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains and proximity to major area employer, University of Arizona, 3 miles south. Residents like lounging at nearby Balboa Heights Park, driving up Oracle Road for local shopping and dining, and looking out for one another through a community watch program.
Over 2,500 people call Balboa Heights home which centers around Midtown Tucson.
Balboa Heights sits in the valley, with a 45 minute drive to scenic Mount Lemmon.
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More affordable housing compared to nearby communities
Balboa Height's median home price of $205,000 is roughly a quarter of those in nearby neighborhoods like Jefferson Park and Keeling. Midcentury bungalows with stucco exteriors range between $110,000 and $230,000, while late 20th-century ranch-style homes with brick exteriors and three bedrooms are priced between $275,000 and $400,000. Most homes here feature short, dirt-and-gravel driveways, carports and fenced-in yards with a low-water mix of acacia trees and cacti. Roundabouts and speed bumps are scattered along the neighborhood’s grid of dusty streets, and residents are within walking distance of community parks. Balboa Heights has a CAP Index score of 7, which is higher than the national average of 4. However, neighborhood association members are continually advocating for more police presence in the area, especially around Balboa Heights Park, where drug-related activity has taken place.
Balboa Heights consists of traditional ranch-style homes built in the mid-twentieth century.
Balboa Heights has homes that sit on medium sized lots, some with unfinished yards.
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Getting together for National Night Out
Baker says the community celebrates National Night Out each August with food, music and mingling in the Marty Birdman Community Center at Balboa Heights Park. Residents also look forward to other events in downtown Tucson; on the second Saturday of every month, downtown Tucson holds a live music festival on Congress Street, filled with local food vendors and street performers. The long-running, biannual Fourth Avenue Street Fair is also popular with locals; around March and December, visitors can check out over 300 different arts and crafts booths and dozens of food vendors, all within the Historic Fourth Avenue District near downtown Tucson.
Held bi-annually, the 4th Avenue Street Fair brings hundreds of vendors near Balboa Heights.
Balboa Heights is always undergoing updates to modernize the neighborhood.
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Shopping centers and Sonoran hot dogs along Oracle Road
Tons of local businesses and strip malls line North Oracle Road, which runs through the middle of Balboa Heights. Folks can browse through rows of colorful metal sculptures at Loya's Courtyard then head over to Grant-Stone Shopping Center for a fresh cut at Grant Beauty Salon and Barber shop and groceries at Fry's on Grant Road and First Avenue. King Donuts, located in Grant-Stone, serves ham and cheese croissant sandwiches and plenty of tasty treats. A few blocks west, the famous El Guero Canelo whips up Sonoran Style hot dogs topped with tomatoes, pinto beans and jalapeno sauce, plus refreshing horchata. For retail stores like Dillard’s and JCPenney, residents can drive 3 miles north to Tucson Mall.
King Donut near Balboa Heights has made from scratch donuts that locals love.
Balboa Heights is home to James Beard Foundation winner, El Guero Canelo.
Loya's Courtyard near Balboa Heights has fascinating metal sculptures across many acres of land.
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Cooling off at the splash pad in Balboa Heights Park
The two-acre Balboa Heights Park offers a basketball half-court, a canopy-covered playground and the gated Naida Jane Baker Splash Pad for those hot summer days. Locals can walk to neighborhood parks like Jacinto and Lunga, both with small playgrounds and open, grassy spaces, or drive a mile south to the 25-meter pool at Mansfield Park. Just over the Interstate 10 Freeway, Santa Cruz River Park features the paved Anza Trail for joggers and bikers, and through the trail, visitors can connect to the 137-mile-long Chuck Huckelberry Loop , which travels through Tucson and Pima County. Within 5 miles south of the area, locals can also practice their swing at the public 18-hole El Rio Golf Course or trek a bit further for killer views at the top of Sentinel Peak, also known as “A Mountain.”
The splash pad at Balboa Heights Park is open April-October.
Jacinto Park is located in Ward 3 in Tucson, Arizona.
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Freeway connections to downtown
Downtown Tucson is 3 miles south via North Oracle Road, which travels through the middle of Balboa Heights. Arizona State Route 77 runs along the neighborhood’s northern border, and Interstate 10 can be found about a mile west. Along Oracle, locals can also catch Tucson Sun Tran buses that have routes throughout the city. Banner-University Medical Center Tucson is a 3-mile drive east, and Tucson International Airport is 11 miles south via I-10.
Sun Tran runs a variety of routes in the Balboa Heights neighborhood.
Oracle Road is the main street in the Balboa Heights neighborhood and turns into Highway 77.
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Career prep at Tucson Magnet High
The neighborhood is served by the city’s largest school district, Tucson Unified, which is rated an overall B-minus by Niche. Kids here can start at E.C. Nash Elementary, which scores a C, and continue to La Cima Middle, which earns a B-minus. The B-rated Tucson Magnet High is the district’s oldest high school, known for its Career and Technical Education programs in fields like music production and sports medicine. Students can also qualify for the Dual Enrollment college credit program through Pima Community College located 2 miles south of the neighborhood.
Nash Elementary serves grades K-5 in Tucson, Arizona.
La Cima Middle School serves grades 6-8 in Tucson, Arizona.
Tucson High Magnet School serves grades 9-12 in Tucson, Arizona.
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
Greg McCown,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Francisco Elias Esquer Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
North 6th Ave Dog Park Tucson Az
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Jacinto Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Laguna Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Trails
Balboa Heights Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Manuel Valenzuela Alvarez Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Tucson International
20 min drive
Bus
Grant & Oracle
Bus
Miracle Mile & 800 Block
Bus
Oracle & Flores
Bus
Oracle & Rillito
Bus
Oracle & Grant
Bus
Oracle & Glenn
Bus
Oracle & Jacinto
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Balboa Heights
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Balboa Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Balboa Heights, Tucson sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Balboa Heights, Tucson over the last 12 months is $232,500, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Own this beautifully remodeled triplex, units A, B & C, consisting of a single-family home with an attached studio and a separate studio guest house, all sharing one water meter for convenience. Renovated in 2020 by a LICENSED CONTRACTOR, the property features numerous upgrades including new cabinets, countertops, HVAC systems in all three units, water heaters, and doors. The attached studio
Discover a surprisingly spacious 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo offering exceptional value and convenience! This well-maintained unit is ideally situated just off the highway and within easy reach (a couple of miles) of both the vibrant Downtown Tucson scene and the University of Arizona. Enjoy quick access to shopping, diverse restaurants, and exciting Tucson events.This condo is Airbnb-ready and
Charming two bedroom and two bathroom Brick Home in the heart of Tucson. Centrally located near UofA, Banner hospital, shopping, and dining and also has plenty of space to create your dream back yard. This home is perfect for homeowners or investors. Don't miss this incredible opportunity!!!
Welcome home to Casa Del Coronado Apartments! Our community offers inviting one and two-bedroom apartments featuring spacious living areas, generous storage space, and a private patio or balcony, creating the ideal space for both relaxing and entertaining! We strive to create the best living experience for all of our residents inside & out and being conveniently placed near many local
Beautiful 3 bedroom/2 bath home. Features granite countertops, ceiling fans, large walk-in closet, stained concrete floors, lush landscaping and much more.
Kelso Vista Apartments in Central Tucson, AZ offers 1 and 2 bedroom apartment homes for rent. Kelso Vista is a gated community for privacy and features a sparkling swimming pool, on site laundry facility, hardwood floors.Our apartment community is located on the bus line and just minutes from University or Arizona, Downtown and Interstate 10. We are a pet friendly community.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Greg McCown,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,778
Median Age
36
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$27,897
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$37,818
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
76.1%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
8.4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
10''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
102°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
89/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
73/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
41/ 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.
