Youngtown
Tiny 1.5-sq-mi town whose 1954 founding made it America's first planned retirement community -- now an all-ages municipality since 1998
Why People Move Here
Youngtown is a 1.5-square-mile town on the east bank of the Agua Fria River whose 1954 founding by developers Ben Schleifer and Clarence Suggs on 320 acres of former cotton farmland made it the first master-planned retirement community in the United States -- predating the more famous Sun City by roughly six years, and hosting the country's first AARP chapter when it incorporated in 1960. That identity ended in 1998 when Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods determined the town's age ordinance was unenforceable after a denied residency extension for a 16-year-old; the age restriction was formally repealed, and Youngtown has been an all-ages incorporated town ever since (median age 39.4 today). Surrounded by El Mirage, Sun City, and Peoria, with Grand Avenue (US-60) along its north edge, it remains among the most affordable entry points in the northwest Valley, pairing mid-century ranch housing with the newer Agua Fria Ranch subdivision (Pulte, ~800 homes) on compact lots.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Dysart Unified School District #89
BState-issued A grade (Arizona Department of Education 2023 and 2024 accountability reports)
- 23,118 students across PK-12 in 140 sq mi covering El Mirage, most of Surprise, parts of Glendale and Youngtown, and unincorporated Maricopa County
- 20:1 student-teacher ratio
- 100% of district schools earned an A or B in 2024 state accountability (18 A's, 6 B's)
- Dysart Elementary School (El Mirage) is the nearest elementary for most Youngtown addresses
- High school assignment splits between Dysart High (El Mirage) and Willow Canyon High (Surprise) depending on address -- verify via dysart.org/schoolfinder
- State test proficiency: ~41% math, ~45% reading
FAQ — Youngtown
What is the median home price in Youngtown?
Sources diverge. Redfin reported a January 2025 median sale price of $366K (up 6.1% year over year) at $237 per square foot, with December 2025 median list price $375K. Zillow's 2026 average home value is $297,630, down 5.1% year over year. Maricopa County's tax-assessed median is $219,050. The Agua Fria Ranch subdivision (Pulte, 2003-2005, roughly 800 homes) lists around a $410K median, and LGI Homes new construction is running ~$390K.
Is Youngtown still an age-restricted 55+ community?
No. Youngtown was founded in 1954 as the first master-planned retirement community in the United States, but Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods determined in 1996 that the town's age ordinance was unenforceable after a residency-extension denial for a 16-year-old, and the age restriction was formally repealed in 1998. Youngtown is an all-ages incorporated town today -- the median age is 39.4. Adjacent Sun City and Sun City West remain HOPA-exempt 55+ communities; any age-restricted status within a specific HOA should be verified directly with that HOA.
What schools and parks are in Youngtown?
Youngtown is served by Dysart Unified School District #89 (Niche B, state-issued A grade in 2023 and 2024), with 23,118 PK-12 students across 140 sq mi. Dysart Elementary School in El Mirage is the nearest elementary for most Youngtown addresses; high school assignment splits between Dysart High and Willow Canyon High depending on address -- verify enrollment eligibility by address via dysart.org/schoolfinder. The town maintains roughly seven parks on its 1.5 sq mi footprint, anchored by Maricopa Lake Park (town-owned fishing lake), Schleifer Park (named for founder Ben Schleifer), David C. Uribe Park, Greer Park, and Caliche Cactus Garden.
What is the commute from Youngtown to downtown Phoenix?
Downtown Phoenix is approximately 18 miles southeast, about 25 minutes off-peak and 40 minutes in rush hour via Grand Avenue (US-60) or Loop 101 + I-17. Sky Harbor (PHX) is ~20 miles southeast (30-45 minutes). Luke Air Force Base is ~7 miles southwest (10-15 minutes). Valley Metro Route 106 serves the east border of Youngtown along 111th Avenue; Route 573 (West Glendale Express) offers peak-hour park-and-ride service to downtown Phoenix. There is no light rail service within town limits.
Who founded Youngtown and why is it called Youngtown?
Realtor Ben 'Big Ben' Schleifer and his partner Clarence Suggs purchased 320 acres of former cotton farmland (previously a cattle ranch owned by Frances Greer) in 1954 to build the first master-planned community in the United States designed specifically for retirees. Original homes sold for as little as $6,000. The name 'Youngtown' was intentionally ironic -- a community for older adults branded with the word 'young.' The town was incorporated in 1960, and the country's first AARP chapter was established there the same year.
What healthcare and accessibility options are in Youngtown?
Banner Boswell Medical Center at 10401 W Thunderbird Blvd in Sun City is approximately 2 miles north (about a 5-minute drive) -- named U.S. News 2025-2026 Best Regional Hospital #4 Phoenix and #5 Arizona. Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West (404 beds, recognized for stroke care) is ~10 minutes northwest. Banner Urgent Care, FastMed, and NextCare locations are 5-10 minutes away along the Grand Ave and Bell Rd corridors. Youngtown Clubhouse, the Youngtown Library, and Maricopa Lake Park paved paths are ADA-accessible.
What are the crime statistics in Youngtown?
NeighborhoodScout, drawing on 2024 FBI reporting, publishes an overall crime rate of approximately 53 per 1,000 residents for Youngtown, violent crime around 1 in 112, and property crime around 1 in 22 (roughly 44 per 1,000), with motor-vehicle theft flagged as elevated. Small-population bases (under 10,000 residents) produce high statistical volatility, so year-to-year rates can swing significantly. Policing is provided by the Youngtown Police Department with mutual aid from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Official state-level figures are available at azcrimestatistics.azdps.gov.
What is the Agua Fria Ranch subdivision?
Agua Fria Ranch is a Pulte Homes subdivision of roughly 800 single-family homes built between 2003 and 2005, with its community entrance at 116th Ave and Olive. Homes range from 1,051 to 2,375 sqft on median ~6,098 sqft lots, featuring modern Spanish-style stucco siding, tiled roofs, fenced backyards, and attached two-car garages. It is the largest newer subdivision inside Youngtown town limits and lists at a median price around $410K (May 2025).
What is the climate like in Youngtown?
Youngtown has a hot arid desert climate (Koppen BWh) typical of the West Valley floor at ~1,150 ft elevation. July averages a high of 101.7 F and a low of 82.2 F; December averages 61.7 F / 46.0 F. Annual rainfall is approximately 9.1 inches (231 mm), and the area averages roughly 296 sunny days per year. Snowfall is essentially zero.
What are the property and sales tax rates?
Combined sales tax in Youngtown is 9.3% (5.6% Arizona state + 0.7% Maricopa County + 3.0% town). The effective property tax rate is approximately 0.46% (Maricopa County median), with bills reflecting a combination of county, Dysart USD, community college, and any fire district levies. Arizona levies a flat 2.5% state income tax effective 2023.
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