El Mirage
One of the West Valley's most affordable incorporated cities, wedged between Sun City, Surprise, and Luke Air Force Base
Why People Move Here
El Mirage is a ~10-square-mile incorporated city on the Agua Fria River, wedged between Sun City to the east, Surprise to the west, and Youngtown to the north, about 19 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. Settled in the early 1930s by migrant farm workers who helped build the Agua Fria canal system, it incorporated as a town in 1951 and has grown from an agricultural outpost into one of the West Valley's most affordable incorporated cities, with median sale prices in the $350K-$360K range versus $450K-$500K+ in neighboring Surprise and Peoria. Dysart Unified School District (rated 'A' by the state three years running) is headquartered inside city limits at 12950 W Varney Rd. US-60/Grand Avenue runs diagonally through the city toward downtown Phoenix, and Loop 303 sits about five minutes west for I-10 and I-17 connections. Gateway Park at 10100 N El Mirage Rd (12.7 acres; skate park, splash pad, dog park, trails) anchors recreation, and a $12M Civic Center expansion with a new library and community center is slated to open in 2026.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Dysart Unified School District (DUSD #89)
BState of Arizona A-rated district three years running (2023-2025)
- District headquartered at 12950 W Varney Rd inside El Mirage
- K-12 unified district spanning El Mirage, Surprise, and parts of unincorporated Maricopa County
- 19 DUSD schools earned 'A' state rating and 5 earned 'B' in the 2025 Arizona accountability labels
- El Mirage Elementary School received an 'A' state rating (2025)
- Other in-city feeder schools: Thompson Ranch Elementary, Dysart Elementary, Dysart Middle, Sonoran Heights Middle
- Verify enrollment eligibility by address -- DUSD boundaries extend beyond city limits
Dysart High School
B-#131 of Arizona high schools (US News 2025-26); GreatSchools 7/10
- Comprehensive 9-12 high school at 11425 N Dysart Rd
- Niche grade B-; GreatSchools rating 7/10
- 94% graduation rate; average SAT 1090, ACT 21; average GPA 3.29
- CTE programs including aviation, culinary, construction, and automotive
- Verify enrollment eligibility by address
FAQ — El Mirage
What is the median home price in El Mirage, AZ?
Redfin's February 2026 median sale price was $354,000, down from a November 2025 median of $350,000 (-2.9% YoY). Zillow's March 2026 median list was $360,000 at $204 per square foot, down 4% year-over-year. Data USA reports a 2024 median property value of $321,900, up 14.1% from $282,000 in 2023. El Mirage consistently prices $50K-$150K below neighboring Surprise, Peoria, and Goodyear, making it among the most affordable incorporated West Valley cities.
What schools and parks are in El Mirage?
Dysart Unified School District (DUSD #89) is headquartered inside El Mirage at 12950 W Varney Rd and has been State of Arizona 'A'-rated three years running (2023-2025) -- 19 of 24 district schools earned 'A' ratings in 2025. El Mirage Elementary earned an 'A'; in-city feeders also include Thompson Ranch Elementary, Dysart Elementary, Dysart Middle, and Sonoran Heights Middle. Dysart High School at 11425 N Dysart Rd has a Niche grade B-, GreatSchools 7/10, and a 94% graduation rate. Verify enrollment eligibility by address -- DUSD boundaries extend into Surprise and unincorporated Maricopa County. Gateway Park at 10100 N El Mirage Rd is the flagship recreation facility (12.7 acres with skate park, splash pad, dog park, trails, and ballfields), partnered with the Northwest Valley YMCA; Historic El Mirage Park and Dysart Park anchor older neighborhoods; the Agua Fria River corridor and Arizona Canal Path provide additional trail access.
What is the commute from El Mirage to downtown Phoenix?
Downtown Phoenix is about 19 miles southeast via US-60 / Grand Avenue or via Loop 303 to I-10 -- roughly 30 minutes off-peak and 40-50 minutes in rush. Luke Air Force Base is ~5 miles south at about 10 minutes, Westgate / State Farm Stadium in Glendale is ~12 miles via Loop 101 at 18-30 minutes, Banner Del E. Webb in Sun City West is ~5 miles west at 10 minutes, and Phoenix Sky Harbor is ~27 miles southeast at 35-55 minutes. Valley Metro Route 571 runs a peak-hour express bus to downtown Phoenix via Grand Ave (first AM ~5:49 AM, last PM ~6:29 PM), and Route 106 provides east-west local service along Peoria Avenue. El Mirage is effectively car-dependent outside those peak-period runs.
What is the history of El Mirage?
The land now known as El Mirage was first home to the Hohokam, whose canal-building irrigation networks shaped regional agriculture centuries before European contact. In the early 1930s, migrant farm workers settled along the west bank of the Agua Fria River, helping build the canal system and harvest the first commercial crops. The town incorporated on June 25, 1951. Through the 20th century El Mirage grew alongside its agricultural base; more recently it has transitioned to an urban economy with construction, logistics, manufacturing, and data centers, earning its nickname as the 'Gateway to the Northwest Valley.' Its Spanish name refers to the desert optical illusion and is unrelated to El Mirage Dry Lake in California.
What is the population and area of El Mirage?
El Mirage had a 2020 Census population of 35,805 and a 2024 Census estimate of approximately 36,468, with the 2025 projected population near 36,929. The city covers roughly 10 square miles on the Sonoran Desert floor along the Agua Fria River, bounded by Sun City to the east, Surprise to the west, Youngtown to the north, and Luke Air Force Base / Glendale to the south. The population has grown roughly 379% since 2000 but has leveled off in the most recent year, and footprint is constrained by the surrounding incorporated neighbors.
What are the property and sales tax rates in El Mirage?
Combined sales tax is 9.30% (5.60% Arizona state + 0.70% Maricopa County + 3.00% City of El Mirage). Effective property tax rates fall within the Maricopa County range of roughly 0.6% to 1.3% depending on overlapping taxing jurisdictions (school district, fire, community college, flood control). Arizona uses a Limited Property Value (LPV), capped at 5% annual increase, as the basis for tax calculations. Arizona levies a flat 2.5% state income tax (effective 2023+).
What are the crime statistics in El Mirage?
The FBI's 2024 calendar-year data (released October 2025) lists El Mirage at an overall crime rate of approximately 16 per 1,000 residents -- violent crime about 4 per 1,000 and property crime about 12 per 1,000. Earlier 2023 FBI data showed 119 violent crimes (330 per 100,000, 10.7% below the U.S. average) and 511 property crimes (1,418 per 100,000, 27.5% below the U.S. average). Police staffing is 1.53 officers per 1,000 residents versus a national average of 3.25. The El Mirage Police Department publishes crime stats and maps at elmirageaz.gov/292. Review FBI Uniform Crime Reporting methodology and recent releases at source.
What healthcare and accessibility options are in El Mirage?
Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center at 14502 W Meeker Blvd in Sun City West (~5 miles west) is the nearest full-service hospital, with a 24/7 emergency department and U.S. News 2025-26 High Performing ratings in multiple procedure and condition categories including hip/knee replacement, COPD, and pneumonia. Abrazo Surprise Hospital is also ~5 miles west, and St. Joseph's Westgate Medical Center in Glendale is ~15 minutes south. Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear (~25 minutes south) is a Level 1 Trauma center. Banner Urgent Care, NextCare, and FastMed locations sit in adjacent Surprise, Sun City, and Peoria within 2-5 miles. The Civic Center, Gateway Park, Northwest Valley YMCA, and Dysart USD campuses are ADA-accessible.
What dining options are in El Mirage?
El Mirage's signature independents cluster along the Grand Avenue / US-60 corridor. Rio Mirage Cafe at 12495 N El Mirage Rd serves authentic Mexican -- birria tacos, chicken enchiladas, shrimp cocktails. Restaurant Oaxaqueño Tierra del Sol at 12313 NW Grand Ave specializes in Oaxacan tlayudas, moles, empanadas, and tamales. La Bamba Mexican Grill (12102 W Thunderbird Rd) and Lupita's Mexican Restaurant round out the scratch-kitchen options, and Roliberto's at 12555 NW Grand Ave operates 24 hours. Independent carnicerias, taquerias, and panaderias line Grand Ave, and broader chain and independent dining sits in Surprise (Prasada and Bell Rd) and Peoria (P83 district) 3-8 miles out.
What transit options serve El Mirage?
Valley Metro Route 571 runs a peak-hour express bus between the El Mirage/Surprise park-and-ride and downtown Phoenix via Grand Avenue, with the first AM departure about 5:49 AM, the last PM about 6:29 PM, and a trip time of 53 to 67 minutes. Route 106 provides east-west local service along Peoria Avenue connecting El Mirage to Peoria, Glendale, and a light-rail feeder. Valley Metro Paratransit operates ADA-complementary service within 0.75 miles of those fixed routes. El Mirage is otherwise car-dependent; US-60 / Grand Avenue and Loop 303 are the primary commute arteries, with Loop 303 sitting about 5 minutes west for I-10 and I-17 connections.
What are the major employers in El Mirage?
Luke Air Force Base in neighboring Glendale (~5 miles south) is the regional economic anchor, serving as the primary F-35A Lightning II pilot training installation. Dysart Unified School District is the largest in-city public-sector employer, headquartered at 12950 W Varney Rd. Walmart Supercenter #4336, BNSF's vehicle distribution center, Cemex mining and concrete operations, Forterra Pipe & Precast, and Goodfellow Crushers all operate inside the city. The City of El Mirage itself is a significant employer, and Microsoft plus other tenants at the 1,400-acre LogistiCenter at Copperwing (Dermody Properties) are expanding data-center employment -- a third 245,000-square-foot building was approved in April 2026.
What utilities serve El Mirage?
The City of El Mirage Utilities Department provides water and sewer service (623-933-1228) and handles trash and recycling. Arizona Public Service (APS) provides electricity across most of the city, and Southwest Gas provides natural gas. Residential internet options include Cox Communications (cable and fiber up to 2 Gbps), CenturyLink/Lumen (DSL and Fiber), T-Mobile Home Internet (5G fixed wireless), and Verizon 5G Home Internet.
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