Searching ...
Real Estate Information
Friday, October 27, 2023

Your Litchfield Park, AZ Real Estate Questions Answered

Want the big-city access of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the southwest but the look and feel of small-town America? Litchfield Park, AZ, presents the best of both worlds. This small residential community in Maricopa County, only two miles north of I-10 and 16 miles west of central Phoenix, offers access to both the wilds of the Sonoran Desert and all the amenities of modern southwest living.

If you’re considering buying real estate in Litchfield Park, it helps to know what you can expect. Our Litchfield Park real estate profile covers the cost of living, market trends, communities, and things to do once you’ve moved in.

About Litchfield Park, AZ

A small town west of Phoenix, Litchfield Park is a true suburb. Named after founder Paul Weeks Litchfield, an executive of the Goodyear Tire Company, the land was initially scouted as a place to grow high-quality cotton. Yes, that’s cotton in Arizona. 

Litchfield turned the ranchland into the headquarters for the Southwest Cotton Company, later Goodyear Farms. Soon, thousands of acres in the area were being cultivated to produce cotton tire cords, creating jobs for local men and women. Goodyear Tire remained a vital economic engine for the area as the decades passed, adding tire test tracks and a resort hotel for its visiting executives. 

However, it didn’t mature into a properly incorporated city until 1987. Its 3.3 square miles in size might look like a blip on the map next to Glendale and Tempe, but this is a unique slice of small-town living. With it being just off the Agua Fria River, moving into Litchfield Park is a great way to relocate to the Phoenix area.

What county is Litchfield Park, AZ, in?

Litchfield Park, AZ, is in Arizona’s famous Maricopa County, one of the largest counties in the US, measured by population and raw size. After all, it’s the seat of power in Arizona. 

Home to Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, and other top US and Western cities, Maricopa County comprises much of the “Valley of the Sun” in central Arizona. 

Is Litchfield Park, AZ, growing?

Litchfield Park is growing, but don’t expect a boom to 100,000 residents anytime soon. Litchfield Park’s modest size, about 3.3 square miles, means only so many people can fit in there! If you glance at the Census data, you’ll see the population went down from 1980 to 1990, going from 3,657 to 3,303. 

It rebounded by 2000, eclipsing its 1980 mark, and continued growing in double-digit percentages, including 43% in 2010 and 25% in 2020. The population currently stands at 6,847. Litchfield Park’s population as of the 2020 Census was just below 7,000.

What is the cost of living in Litchfield Park, AZ?

Consult Sperling’s Best Places Index, and you’ll see expenses in Litchfield Park copy the rest of the Valley of the Sun. Living here simply costs more than the national average. 

Litchfield Park real estate prices and transportation costs were the primary drivers behind the city’s higher expenses. Sperling rates it at 122.8 compared to the standard American index of 100, noting a median income of $94,844.

Litchfield Park vs Phoenix AZ cost of living comparison chart

Where Litchfield Park real estate stands

The median sales price of a home in Litchfield Park was $485,000 in August 2023, down 19.2% from the median sales price of $600,000 in August 2022. The average sales price followed the same trend, moving from $650,000 to $571,000 between 2022 and 2023 for a decline of 12.2%. Overall, we can see a downward trend between the two years.

However, supply may be going up. New listings in 2023 increased by 8.2% over the previous year. Pending sales were down, potentially meaning there’s more supply coming to market. This tracks with the nationwide trend at that time.

That can be a potential good sign to people looking to buy Litchfield Park real estate. However, Litchfield Park’s small area means there will be fewer units to find. That squeezes prices and makes the market data more prone to dramatic swings. But more listings are a good sign if you’re looking for a quieter place in the Phoenix area, and lower home prices are your priority.

Litchfield Park AZ Local Market Update Chart

Condos or townhomes in Litchfield Park

According to Greater Phoenix Realtors, there have been four new listings in August 2023, a net 55% downshift from August 2022’s nine listings. The median sales price of a townhouse/condo rose to $410,000 from $345,000 in 2022, a net increase of 18.8%. There was 2.3 months’ inventory by August 2023.

Waterfront properties in Litchfield Park, AZ

Litchfield Park is near the Agua Fria River, but the town borders don’t quite extend that far. For that reason, there aren’t any waterfront properties in Litchfield Park—at least not how most people think about waterfront properties.

One minor exception is the Wigwam Golf Club, which has several small ponds near its community. This adds a bit of an “oasis” in the Sonoran Desert.

Golf course communities in Litchfield Park, AZ 

The Wigwam Golf Club is the city’s predominant and only golf course community. It features three 18-hole courses. First launched as a Goodyear executive resort, it keeps its resort roots today, but it is open to the public with 331 guest casitas and suites. 

The residential section is called Litchfield Greens, with homes in a gated and guarded community on lots a half-acre or more. Some homes face the Red Course. Amenities like tennis courts, pools, and a spa are all part of the country club community experience, which makes it a top place to buy real estate in Litchfield Park.

If that’s not enough for you, don’t worry, as the Phoenix metro has over 100 courses. At least three are within a 15-minutes drive from Litchfield Park, like the next-door Palm Valley.

Active adult communities in Litchfield Park, AZ

A few senior living communities are in the area, but they don’t all fall within the Litchfield Park boundaries. For example, the Arcadie Active Adult Apartments in nearby Scottsdale is a lively community with all sorts of luxury amenities—but it’s a drive from Litchfield Park. The Mera City Center for people 55 and older is another active living community nearby. This one’s located in Surprise, AZ.

What is the property tax rate for Litchfield Park, AZ?

Depending on the school district in Litchfield, you will see different property tax rates. Based on 2021 data, Litchfield Park residents were levied a primary rate of 6.8675 with an approximate residential rate of 5.2030 and a secondary rate of 3.7635. Other nearby taxing districts levied as high as 7 or 8 mils.

What neighborhoods are in Litchfield Park, AZ?

Given the small slice of land that Litchfield Park takes up, there are no significant neighborhoods as you’ll find in other Phoenix suburb cities. Instead, Litchfield Park has carefully planned residential areas. For example, the Wigwam Golf Club takes up much of eastern Litchfield Park. Some areas off of Camelback Road border this community, not to mention single-family homes and multi-unit homes jutting directly into the city limits. 

On the western edge of town, the Village at Litchfield Park is a residential community with many individual single-family homes. Litchfield Greens, the golf course neighborhood, comprises much of central Litchfield Park. Residents buying a home here have location as an advantage, as there’s access to a few small businesses, including cafes, drug stores, and fitness centers.

What areas are near Litchfield Park, AZ?

Arizona Desert with big cactus

To its immediate east, you’ll find the larger suburb of Glendale, which includes shopping centers like Desert Sky Mall and entertainment perks. Its State Farm Stadium is the home of the Arizona Cardinals playing in the MLB.

The Agua Fria River is just east of Litchfield Park, but don’t expect swimming in its usually dry expanse.

North is the Luke Air Force base, where pilots train. Seeing jets racing across the sky or hearing the roar of accelerating engines isn’t unusual. Your neighbors may even be military families.

To the south, the village of Goodyear includes more southwestern restaurants, big box shops, a small airport, and a baseball field. West of Litchfield are more small suburban communities sprawling into the desert, like Russel Ranch and Palm Valley. 

Perhaps its greatest asset is Litchfield Park’s access to outdoor activities in White Tank Mountain Regional Park and Skyline Regional Park. The gorgeous desert vistas are open for hiking, trail running, camping, and other outdoor sports.

What to know about living in Litchfield Park, AZ

With a name like “Litchfield Park,” you’d hope for some good outdoor areas in the town. And that’s what you find: Stags Park, a 3.74-acre park, features plenty of picnic space and outdoor activities like soccer fields. Tierra Verde Lake Park takes its name from the 4.5-acre lake and is a favorite for joggers and cyclists.

These parks form the backbone of the Litchfield Park community because they’ll host events like the Fall Festival of the Arts—typically in November—and Christmas in the Park. Oktoberfest is another favorite activity, but this one is hosted at the Wigwam Golf Club. But don’t worry, it is open to the public.

Though it’s not located in the city limits, Luke Air Force Base also strongly impacts the Litchfield Park community. It hosts career expos and Luke Days 2024, an airshow that welcomes all sorts of people in the area, from Glendale to Litchfield Park and beyond.

Before buying Litchfield Park real estate, let a local real estate agent find the right neighborhood for you. Even though it’s small, there’s a lot to view here, and having an expert eye will help you make the most of living in the Valley of the Sun.

 

Start Your Home Search

Preston Guyton

Share this Post

Related Articles

Start Your Home Search