Maricopa
Fast-Growing Pinal County City on the SR-347 Commute Corridor
Why People Move Here
The City of Maricopa sits on the Sonoran Desert floor in northwest Pinal County — NOT Maricopa County, despite the shared name — roughly 35 miles south of downtown Phoenix on SR-347. Incorporated in 2003, it grew from ~1,000 residents to more than 80,000 in two decades, making it one of the fastest-growing US cities. Master-planned subdivisions like Rancho El Dorado, Cobblestone Farms, and Glennwilde offer newer construction at median prices ($346K-$360K) well below Maricopa County overall, while the Ak-Chin Indian Community just north anchors regional employment through Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino. The defining daily reality: SR-347 — widely called "the only road out" — is the single arterial to I-10 and Chandler, carrying roughly 75% of the city's commute traffic. ADOT approved a $350M SR-347 widening plan in June 2025, with interim turn-lane improvements already in place.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD)
B+Niche overall rating 4.01/5; ~9,225 students, 18:1 student-teacher ratio; 6 elementary + 2 middle + 2 high schools + online school
- Maricopa High School (Niche B-, rating 3.59/5)
- Desert Wind Middle School (Niche B-)
- Butterfield Elementary (magnet, Niche B)
- Saddleback Elementary, Santa Rosa Elementary, Santa Cruz Elementary
- Pima Butte Elementary, Maricopa Elementary
- Desert Sunrise High School (newer campus)
- Arizona state test scores: 26% math proficient, 35% reading proficient
Legacy Traditional School — Maricopa Campus (charter K-8)
A-- Part of Arizona's Legacy Traditional School network
- Structured traditional curriculum; uniforms
- Common charter alternative to MUSD for K-8 enrollment
Leading Edge Academy — Maricopa (charter K-12)
B- Charter K-12 option in Maricopa
- Small-class focus, dual-enrollment options for high school
Sequoia Pathway Academy (charter K-12)
B-- Charter K-12 in Maricopa
- College-prep pathway model
FAQ — Maricopa
What is the median home price in Maricopa, AZ?
As of early 2026, Zillow's average home value in Maricopa is $360,209 (down 8.4% YoY, ~25 days to pending) and Redfin's January 2026 median sale price is $346,000 (down 3.5% YoY, ~98 days on market). That is roughly $115K-$130K below the Maricopa County median of $460K-$475K — a defining affordability gap that is the primary reason buyers accept the SR-347 commute. Median price per square foot is $180. Sub-market spread is wide: Rancho El Dorado and Cobblestone Farms starter homes $280K-$380K; Glennwilde and Homestead mid-range $350K-$450K; Province (HOPA documented 55+) and custom lots $400K-$650K+.
Is Maricopa in Maricopa County?
No. The City of Maricopa is in Pinal County, not Maricopa County. The two share a name but are separate jurisdictions with different county government, assessor, tax structure, and services. Maricopa County (Phoenix) sits to the north across the I-10/SR-347 line; the City of Maricopa sits in northwest Pinal County, roughly 35 miles south of downtown Phoenix. County website: pinal.gov.
What is the commute from Maricopa to Chandler or downtown Phoenix?
SR-347 (John Wayne Parkway / Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway) is the single north-south arterial connecting Maricopa to I-10 at Queen Creek Rd. Roughly 75% of Maricopa residents use SR-347 to commute. Off-peak: ~25 min to I-10, ~30 min to downtown Chandler, ~45 min to downtown Phoenix or Sky Harbor. Rush hour: 40-60 min to Chandler, 60-75 min to Phoenix. ADOT approved a $350M SR-347 widening plan in June 2025; interim turn-lane improvements are already in place. A community-maintained traffic portal at sr347.com provides live cameras.
What schools and parks are in Maricopa?
Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD) is the main district — Niche overall rating 4.01/5, ~9,225 students across 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools plus an online school. Maricopa High School rates Niche B-; Desert Wind Middle rates B-; Butterfield Elementary (magnet) rates B. Charter alternatives include Legacy Traditional School, Leading Edge Academy, and Sequoia Pathway Academy. The flagship public amenity is Copper Sky Regional Park — 98 acres with a stocked fishing lake, 8-lane competition pool plus recreation pool with lazy river/water slides/splash pad/climbing wall, an 18-hole disc golf course, skate park, dog park, and the Multigenerational Center. Pacana Park adds ballfields and a second dog park. Verify school enrollment eligibility by address.
What are the crime statistics in Maricopa, AZ?
Maricopa Police Department 2024 CompStat reports an overall crime rate of 10.8 versus the US average of 33.37 — roughly 2.5x lower than the national average. Crime fell 3% year-over-year in 2024 on top of a 10% reduction in 2023. Violent crime was down 12% YoY while property crime was up 11% YoY (driven mostly by theft). NeighborhoodScout reports a 1-in-92 chance of any crime victimization, 1-in-445 for violent crime, and 1-in-116 for property crime. The department employs 82 sworn officers (approximately 1.0 per 1,000 residents).
What are the property and sales tax rates in Maricopa, AZ?
Maricopa's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.62% — median $2,107/yr on a $338,600 home — which is 32% above the Pinal County average (0.47%) but still well below the US average of 1.02%. Combined sales tax is 9.2% (5.6% Arizona + 1.1% Pinal County + 2.5% City of Maricopa). Arizona has a flat 2.5% state income tax (among the lowest in the US) and does not tax Social Security benefits. Note the tax structure differs from Maricopa County cities — Pinal County assessor handles valuation.
Who are the largest employers in and around Maricopa?
Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino is one of the top employers in Pinal County with roughly 750 employees — the property is owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community (a federally-recognized sovereign tribal nation) and operated by Caesars Entertainment on tribal land immediately north of the city. Within city limits, Maricopa Unified School District and the City of Maricopa are the largest public employers, with Fry's Marketplace, Walmart Supercenter, and Bashas' as retail anchors. Most white-collar Maricopa residents commute north on SR-347 to Chandler's Intel Ocotillo campus, the Gilbert/Mesa Price Corridor, or downtown Phoenix — or work remotely.
What healthcare and accessibility options are in Maricopa?
Banner Health Center Maricopa at 17900 N Porter Rd provides primary care with on-site labs and X-ray, evening and Saturday hours, and same-day appointments. The nearest full-service hospital is Banner Ironwood Medical Center in Queen Creek (~20 mi E via SR-347/I-10/Ironwood Rd) — 47 private rooms with a pediatric-prepared emergency department, obstetrics, surgery, cardiology, and orthopedics. Chandler Regional Medical Center (Dignity Health, Level I Trauma) is ~30-35 minutes north. ADA-compliant sidewalks run along John Wayne Parkway and major arterials, and Copper Sky facilities are wheelchair-accessible.
What utilities and internet providers serve Maricopa?
Electric service is provided by Electrical District No. 3 (ED3), a cooperative — not APS or SRP — which is a notable distinction from most Phoenix-metro cities. Water is delivered by Global Water, a private utility. Natural gas is Southwest Gas. For internet, Orbitel Communications provides fiber up to 2.3 Gbps and is the top-rated local ISP; Cox Communications offers cable up to 2 Gbps with 81.5% coverage; Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink are also available, along with T-Mobile and Verizon 5G home internet.