Best Places to Raise a Family in Arizona of March 2024

ElitePersonalFinance
Last Update: March 11, 2023 Living

Arizona is located in the southwestern part of the United States. It was the last of the contiguous states admitted into the Union. With a population of over 7 million, it is the 14th most populous state.

The climate in Arizona varies in different parts – in the southern part, summers are hot, and winters are mild. In contrast, Northern Arizona has a much more moderate climate, and in the winter, there is even snow in some areas.

The same goes for landscape: in the South, there are desert areas. With cacti and sand, while in the North you can see mountain ranges, forests, ski resorts, and of course, canyons like the famous Grand Canyon.

All in all, you and your family will love Arizona because of the many great things it has to offer in each of its parts and during each season of the year.

Ranking Criteria

ElitePersonalFinance extracted data from the most accurate and latest sources, such as the FBI Crime Report, to determine crime rates. Additional considered criteria include education, cultural scene, and recreational areas.

Best Places to Raise a Family in Arizona of March 2024

Buckeye

Congratulations, Buckeye! As one of the best places to raise a family in the entire US, it is only natural that Buckeye is at the top of this list. Buckeye is located in Maricopa County, only about 30 miles away from Phoenix. Buckeye is one of the suburbs in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Buckeye’s population increased 10 times over the past sixteen years, from approximately 6,500 in 2000 to 67,147 residents, which is last year’s estimate. This by itself is an amazing fact, and it shows how attractive and safe this place is.

The climate in Buckeye is hot and dry. However, when you get used to it, and this will happen fast, you will find yourself enjoying the all-year-long sunshine. All around the town you can find recreational areas. Buckeye Hills Recreation Area and Skyline Regional Park offer great space for hiking, equestrian sports, mountain biking, picnic, and camping.

Gilbert

Gilbert is a town in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix area. The population increased from around 5,000 in 1980 to an incredible 208,453 in 2010. This is 40 times more residents in 30 years. Today, the population is 242,090.

However, despite such a sky-rocketing increase, Gilbert is still peaceful and quiet, which can be great for all those who dream about a house with a garage, neat lawn, and a white fence. The climate is rather hot. What is very important is that Gilbert is famous for its low crime levels. According to the FBI, it was the largest town in the US with no murders in 2005, 2007, and 2014.

Marana

‘Divided’ between Pima County and Pinal County, located northwest of Tuscon, Marana is home to around 45,123 people. Like Gilbert and Buckeye, this town’s population has grown extremely fast, making it the fourth fastest-growing place in Arizona. Interestingly, based on archaeological findings, the first settlements on modern Marana’s territory started about 4,200 years ago. When it comes to safety, Marana closely follows two previous towns, having had only 30 violent crimes in 2015. There are 16 very competitive schools in the town.

Sahuarita

Sahuarita is located in Pima County. It is actually very close to Marana, only 42 miles away from it. These two towns united to make a very safe and attractive area for both current and prospective residents. The population of the town is over 29,373. Safety is at a very high level in Sahuarita, with only 13 violent crimes in 2015.

Tempe

Tempe is a city with 186,086 residents, and it is located in Maricopa County, the same as Gilbert and Buckeye. It is situated in the East Valley section of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Tempe’s economy is great, with many large businesses’ headquarters offering employment opportunities to young people. Arizona State University’s main campus in Tempe is a great temptation for all parents who want their child to get the best education. With over 70,000 students, this university is among the largest enrollment in the United States. Over 50,000 students are enrolled at the Tempe campus, which is enough proof of how great higher education is.

Chandler

Located in Maricopa County, Chandler is a suburb of Phoenix. The population is 249,355, which makes it one of the most populous cities on this list. Many technology companies have been created in this city. The well-known Ostrich Festival is organized annually in Chandler, and there are also numerous beautiful parks and recreational areas. A nearby Chandler-Gilbert Community College provides opportunities for young people to pursue higher education of great quality.

Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley is one more town located in Maricopa County, which definitely puts this county at the top of the list of the safest counties in Arizona. Paradise Valley has a population of 14,629 people, and thanks to its location, golf course, and amazing real estate, it has been a trendy tourist destination. There are eight full-service resorts in this town, and the combination of beautiful nature and urban parts makes this place unique.

Surprise

Don’t be surprised (pun intended) when you read this: The population of this city increased from around 30,000 in 2000 to over 117,000 in 2010, which is almost 4 times more residents. Now the population is 135,345. It is located in Maricopa County (yes, we know), closely following Gilbert’s expansion rate. Great schools and Arizona Charter Academy offer a great education to the residents of the city.

Scottsdale

You will never guess the county where Scottsdale is located. We know it’s too easy. It’s in Maricopa County. The city’s population is 251,840 people, and its slogan is ‘The West’s Most Western Town.’ It is divided into four parts: Downtown, Central Scottsdale, South, and North Scottsdale, each of which has its own characteristics. Tourism is developed, and it employs the largest number of residents, but there are many big employers in other fields. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art are definitely the most prominent attractions. Higher education is primarily represented by Scottsdale Community College and a campus of the University of Phoenix.

Tucson

As it is commonly known, Tucson, or The Old Pueblo, is situated in Pima County, which ties it to Marana and Sahuarita. Together, these three places put this county closer to Maricopa County regarding the number of best places to raise a family in Arizona. With 532,323 residents, Tucson is the most populated place on our list and the second most populated city in Arizona, right after Phoenix. The biggest attractions are the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson Folk Festival, and many more. Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, which has over 36,000 students and is the second-largest university in the state, right after Arizona State University.

Those are the best ten places to raise a family in Arizona.

If you would like to suggest a city or town that we could include in our list, please post it in the comments below.

You can also send us original images of these 10 places! We will post them, and that way, your favorite place will look way better on our website.

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