The Rincon Mountains provide the backdrop for Vail, located about 30 miles southeast of Tucson. The city sits in a valley that garnered its name from two brothers and a railroad stop. The Vail brothers were cattle ranchers who sold a section of their land to build a new railroad stop during the mining industry boom. The population later dipped from 300 to less than 10 as mining operations lessened. When IBM purchased a plant outside Vail, the town started growing again. The plant would eventually become The University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, where IBM and Raytheon are headquartered.
The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is also nearby, and many residents commute. “Vail is a bit farther out, but they also have great schools. The area is geared towards first-time homebuyers and our military; people who need a great house for under $400,000 will find it there,” says Emily Erickson, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty Oro Valley with over 7 years of experience. According to Census data, Vail grew by nearly 34% from 2010 to 2020. Today, it has a population of almost 15,000.
Many Vail homes are nestled among desert hills.
The Rincon Mountains highlight the Vail area with their towering majesty.
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Single-family residences from golf grounds to open acres
Vail’s neighborhoods feature single-family homes with adobe siding and terracotta roofs. Architectural styles vary from new traditional to ranch-style homes. The median single-family home price is $400,000, which is about $10,000 more than Tucson’s average for single-family homes. Rancho del Largo is a golf course neighborhood in northern Vail, where the average property size is less than those in southern Vail, where lots can exceed an acre.
Vail offers a variety of homes for future residents to choose from.
Newer Vail homes are Southwestern in architecture.
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Top-rated school district in Tucson
Vail Unified School District serves the area's students, rated the top school district in Tucson by Niche, which rates it with an A-plus overall grade. VUSD operates 22 schools, with both online and classroom options. The district provides designated days of the week when elementary, middle and high schools can utilize the Vail Theatre of the Arts for events, performances and award ceremonies to help parents with multiple students to attend all events without schedule conflicts. Students can earn college credits with various dual enrollment courses offered by both the University of Arizona and Pima Community College.
Old Vail Middle School serves grades 6-8 in Vail, Arizona.
Vail Academy is a public Elementary, Middle and High School located in Tucson, Arizona.
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Scenic trails, golfing and seasonal weather concerns
The city does not have many parks, but the Sahuarita Trailhead, located in southern Vail, ties the community to the Arizona National Scenic Trail. This 800-mile non-motorized path runs from Mexico to Utah. Additional trails are located in northern Vail in the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve’s 4,010 acres. The city is also home to the Del Largo Golf Club, a popular public course.
Throughout the year, the city has mild temperatures and sunshine. Considering its location, Vail residents are prone to excessive heat, monsoons and may be at risk of potential wildfires throughout the summer months.
The Lamar Cobb Memorial Marker in Vail is dedicated to Arizona's first highway engineer.
Cienega Creek Preserve offers intricate and scenic hiking trails in Vail.
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Safeway, taco shops and a saloon
As a growing city in rural southern Arizona, Vail does not have many retail options. The town centralizes the businesses and restaurants along the thoroughfare, East Colossal Cave Road. The area’s only grocery store, Safeway, is part of the central business district. Nearby restaurants include taco joints, Arizona Pizza Company and Montgomery’s Grill & Saloon. Less than 10 miles north, Houghton Town Center has big box stores and additional dining options for Vail and the surrounding areas of Rita Ranch and Corona de Tucson.
Montgomery's in Vail offers a full bar that locals flock to for custom drinks.
Arizona Pizza Company offers cheap lunch specials with big slices in Vail.
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Entertainment from race tracks to Pima County Fairgrounds
The Tucson Dragway and Tucson Raceway are located just north of Vail and both host monster truck rallies and races. The tracks sit adjacent to the Pima County Fairgrounds, where VailFest is held in late fall. The event was first established in 2009 as a county fair. It hosts silent auctions to fund the Vail Unified School District scholarship program.
The Pima County Fairgrounds offers an annual spring fair in Vail.
Vail is home to the Tucson Dragway.
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Dirt roads and Interstate 10 to Tucson
Vail evokes a rural, small-town atmosphere with dirt roads and the lone State Highway 83, which connects southern neighborhoods to the northern retail area. “The biggest reasons people want to buy in Vail are the beautiful views and the easy path into downtown Tucson thanks to Interstate 10, which splits it through the middle,” says Don Ernle, a local broker and owner of Pima Canyon Realty since 2007. The interstate connects the community to the major employers outside the town, including the Air Force base and technology park. Tucson International Airport is about 20 miles north and provides various international and domestic flights. Vail has various family health centers in its retail area, the closest emergency care center is about 10 miles north.
Vail-specific and Pima County crime statistics
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crime rates both increased in Pima County in 2023. The county’s violent crime rates were lower than the state averages, while property crime rates were higher than those of the state.
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Video By
Anne Sheridan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Greg McCown,
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 Vail, AZ sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Vail, AZ over the last 12 months is $398,900, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
PRICED TO SELL plus Solar! This home offers incredible value with Owned Solar averaging just $100/month, potentially boosting your buying power by $14K or more. Located in Vail's, Rancho Del Lago, the home features a primary owner's suite, two additional bedrooms, and a loft upstairs. Downstairs boasts a spacious great room, chef's kitchen, and a flexible den or office that can easily serve as a
Spacious 3BR+Den / 2BA home in the popular golf course community of Rancho Del Lago. This charming single story home in the top rated Vail School District features a courtyard entryway, eat-in kitchen with black appliances, open great room concept floor plan, private backyard with covered extended Northwest facing patio and built in gas BBQ, secluded primary bedroom with roomy walk-in closet,
Welcome to this beautifully updated home with two bedrooms plus a DEN. The interior boasts a neutral color paint scheme, fresh interior paint, and partial flooring replacement. The kitchen is a chef's dream with all stainless steel appliances, a center island, and an accent backsplash. The primary bathroom features double sinks for convenience. Outside, enjoy a covered patio in the backyard,
Unobstructed Mountain Views. Immaculate 3 bedroom,2 bath with office + den with NEW flooring throughout. Newly remodeled primary oversized custom shower. Gorgeous kitchen with quartz countertops, all stainless steel appliances, huge center island with room for bar seating, oversized walk in pantry. 9 ft ceilings with Large windows provide natural light in the dining area and great room that is
A new HVAC, new energy efficient windows and a new gas range welcome you into this 4 bed, 2 bath home with an open concept design. Located in the highly rated Vail School District, this home checks all the right boxes! With no rear neighbors, the backyard features new turf, flagstone and a fire pit allowing you to truly enjoy the peaceful quiet environment. With over 2,000 sq ft of living space,
SELLER WILL OFFER UP TO $5,000 IN CONCESSIONS FOR RATE BUY DOWN/BUYER'S CLOSING COSTS!!! This could save buyer $323 per month off mortgage payment! Better than new, pristine home in perfect location - Minutes from Vail's esteemed schools, shopping, amenities and I-10.Sizeable bedrooms, generous closets and dedicated home office/den/gym checks everyone's wish list for space!Massive primary
Experience luxury rental living at its finest with Moderne at Rocking K. Our spacious 1 to 3-bedroom floor plans feature private backyards, perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Enjoy resort-style amenities such as a pool, barbecue area, fitness center, and clubhouse. Nestled at the base of the Rincon Mountains next to Saguaro National Park, our community is conveniently located in Rocking K
Recently updated with all New Tile flooring throughout (No Carpet) , New Custom Paint throughout. Stainless Steel Appliances will be installed shortly. This tucked away very low traffic Cul de Sac is ready and waiting for you. 4 bedroom 2 bath home sits high up on the lot. Open kitchen with all new stainless steel appliances. Vaulted ceilings adds to the open floor plan. Large backyard for
Stunning 3 Bed + Den, 2 Bath Home in Rancho Del Lago! Located in the highly sought-after Rancho Del Lago golf course community, this beautifully maintained home offers 3 spacious bedrooms, a versatile den, and 2 full bathrooms. Enjoy soaring 10-foot ceilings, fresh new paint throughout, and a 2-car garage. Wake up to breathtaking golf course and mountain views right from your professionally
Located about 25 miles south of downtown Tucson, the gated community of Rancho Del Lago is a golf lover’s dream. “It’s got a very country vibe compared to West Tucson,” says Tony Baker, Realtor for RE/MAX Professionals in Tucson. “It’s an amenity-driven neighborhood for sure, and people want to move here for that.” Residents enjoy hitting the nine at the area’s Del Lago Golf Club and having lunch at its in-house restaurant. With the area’s low CAP Crime Index Score of 1 (compared to the national average of 4) and high-rated schools, families with elementary-aged children and retirees buy in the area. The community is also in proximity to local shopping and outdoor adventures at nearby parks and preserves.
The community’s focal point, Del Lago Golf Club, is a public, 18-hole facility offering daily tee times on its lush, high-elevated grounds, which are a few degrees cooler than Tucson in the summer. Locals can practice their swing surrounded by seven small lakes, and there’s views of the rocky Rincon Mountains in every direction. Overlook Park is a small, neighborhood spot next to Cienega High featuring a covered jungle gym, swing set and basketball court. Six miles east, folks can hike and bike around the nationally registered 2,400-acre Colossal Cave Mountain Park, which offers tours of its historic, stalagmite-covered caverns for spelunkers of all skill levels.
The Hacienda del Lago clubhouse is a popular venue for weddings, reunions and other special celebrations; residents can also hit up The Hacienda restaurant on Thursdays for the Chef’s Special and discounted drinks for Ladies Night. Around April or May each year, locals gather near the Vail Chamber of Commerce for the Between the Tracks Vendor Fair; dozens of local businesses set up shop selling coffee, arts and crafts items and food, and folks can enjoy live music while they browse.
Safeway is a 2-mile drive southwest for all grocery essentials, and folks can find gently used clothes and kitchenware at Vail Depot Thrift a few blocks further south. The nearest dining option is Del Lago Golf Club’s on-site bar and grill restaurant, The Hacienda, serving wings and ribeye plates. Residents can also head a few miles south to the small yellow and red building of Fito’s Taco Shop for chili burritos then walk the paved path towards nearby Vail Coffee Stop, which won Pima County’s Rural Business of the Year award in 2023. For more retail shopping and dining options, local can trek 7 mile north to Houghton Town Center.
Exclusively all constructed by two builders, the homes in Rancho Del Lago were mostly built in the early 2000s with an average HOA fee of around $67. Homeowners enjoy the community pool, walking paths spread throughout and, of course, the Del Lago Golf Club course and Hacienda del Lago clubhouse toward the eastern quadrant. One to two-story Spanish-inspired New Traditional homes average $375,000; these properties feature up to three bedrooms along with rock-landscaped lawns and fenced-in backyards.
Larger Spanish-style New Traditional and Pueblo-Revival homes are found mostly on the eastern half of the community and range between $500,000 and $730,000. These up to five-bedroom homes sit on larger lots and offer cement back patios with wooden verandas that lead to in-ground pools. Pueblo-Revival and contemporary-style houses built in the 2020s are mostly found up north and average around $545,000. These feature stucco exteriors and terracotta roofs. Homes in Rancho Del Lago sit in well-paved cul-de-sacs with some sidewalk-lined streets with mountain views in the distance.
Downtown Tucson is a 25-mile drive northwest of Rancho Del Lago via Interstate 10, which is about 3 miles south of the area. Many residents drive to get around, but there are bike lanes along East Mary Ann Cleveland Way, which curves along the western border. Northwest Emergency Center at Vail is 6 miles west, and Tucson International Airport is an 18-mile drive northwest.
The area is served by Vail Unified School District, one of the highest rated districts in the state and rated an A-plus from Niche. Kids here can start at Acacia Elementary which is rated an A-minus, and continue on to Old Vail Middle, scoring an A. The A-rated Cienega High is known for its Drama Department which has won several recognitions like Best Music Direction from the Southern Arizona High School Musical Theatre Monte Awards in 2023.
Rancho Del Lago has a relatively high risk for wildfires near the northern and eastern borders due to the dry climate. Pima County has a Wildfire Protection Plan and Ready Checklist for homeowners in the event of a fire, and in May of 2024, nearly $7 million in federal funding went to Pima County to enhance their current protection plan. During Arizona’s monsoon season between June and September, the Pantano Wash, which cuts through the middle of the neighborhood, and the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve in the southeast is at risk of overflooding into main areas.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Vail Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
14,712
Median Age
40
Population under 18
26.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$112,048
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$126,619
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
44.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.2%
% Population in Labor Force
66.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
99°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
12/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
