Just about midway between Phoenix and Tucson, Casa Grande is a growing Sonoran Desert city with a population of about 60,000. Named after the nearby Casa Grande Ruins, a Hohokam settlement dating back to the 13th century, Casa Grande was founded in 1879 as a small stop along the Southern Pacific Railroad. Sleepy for more than a century, the city began growing rapidly in the early 2000s, as manufacturing and distribution employers moved into the Greater Phoenix area. “Our housing prices are lower than they are in the valley, so we tend to get people who are younger and live here to commute into Phoenix or Tuscon,” says Steven Weaver, Deputy City Manager of Casa Grande. “A lot of people come here because they like the smaller town feel; it’s not necessarily that we have a lot of activities to draw people here, but people like that.”
Major area employers include Sun Life Health, Big Valley Packaging and Franklin Foods. And in 2024, car manufacturer Lucid announced plans to expand its business in Casa Grande. “Lucid keeps on building," Weaver says. "They have a mega plant here that, eventually, could get upwards of 6,000 jobs." Meanwhile, developers are renovating the 200,000-square-foot Casa Grande Mall, which will bring hundreds of jobs to the area. “Bit by bit, we’re growing,” Weaver says.
A classic wooden wagon adorns this nice orange home in Casa Grande.
Our flag waves over this Casa Grande street with stucco ranch style homes.
The Casa Grande City Hall is a nice place for residents to take a stroll.
Casa Grande is a growing hub for business, community, and outdoor adventure.
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Lower home prices than Phoenix or Tucson
The median home price in Casa Grande is $325,000, compared to $460,000 in Phoenix and about $360,000 in Tucson; homes here typically sell after 72 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44. Most homes in Casa Grande are 21st-century new traditional Spanish-style with earth-toned stucco exteriors and terracotta-tiled roofs set in master-planned neighborhoods; the late 20th-century homes here are typically minimal ranch-style. Some master-planned communities, like Villago, offer shared amenities like pocket parks or fishing lakes. Currently, Weaver says the city is building more workforce housing downtown. “In the past, we were building a lot of homes, and now we’re building apartments. The last apartment building was built in 2006, so it’s well overdue," Weaver says.
Spacious 2-story homes in Casa Grande.
A classic bungalow style home in Casa Grande.
This spacious home has a nice water fountain that leads into its grand entrance in Casa Grande.
Locals adorn their front yards with desert plants in Casa Grande.
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Shopping and dining around Florence Avenue
Most shopping and dining are found downtown around Florence Boulevard, which offers a variety of locally owned restaurants, small businesses and grocery stores; most dining options focus on American cuisine or authentic Mexican fare. “We used to have a lot of fast food, but now we’re getting more variety when it comes to restaurants,” Weaver says. The Promenade shopping mall is another popular destination for shopping and dining. “It’s more of an outdoor mall, so there’s lots of different shops; you’ve got ice cream and that kind of stuff,” Weaver says. There are also a handful of bars in Casa Grande, including Airport Tavern, which features live music on its outdoor patio. “We’re looking for more entertainment, and that comes with the bigger you get. There are still people heading up to the valley to go to downtown Gilbert or Chandler to get their excitement,” Weaver says.
Locals head to the Promenade at Casa Grande for some retail therapy.
Casa Grande’s bookstores are perfect for book lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
he Spott in Casa Grande offers a vibrant atmosphere for dining and socializing.
The Promenade at Casa Grande combines convenience and variety in one location.
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Parks, trails and golf
Casa Grande offers 19 parks and 17 miles of desert hiking trails to explore. Dave White Regional Park is a city hub for sports and relaxation, offering playing fields, a stocked fishing lake and an 18-hole golf course set with tree-dotted fairways. There are a few other golf courses, too, including another 18-hole course at the Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort. Palm Island Family Aquatic Park is a community mainstay where folks can cool down in the swimming pool and enjoy the 150-foot-tall waterslide.
Casa Grande’s motocross community is full of energy, skill, and passion for the sport.
Casa Grande’s hiking trails offer adventure and natural beauty for all skill levels.
Casa Grande’s active community thrives on connection, fitness, and shared goals.
Casa Grande’s kid attractions provide safe and entertaining spaces for families.
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Local high schools offer dual-enrollment
Casa Grande is part of the Casa Grande Elementary School District, rated C by Niche, and the Casa Grande Union High School District, rated B-minus; collectively, they serve about 10,000 students. High school students in the district may take dual-enrollment courses for college credit at Central Arizona College. The private, A-rated ASU Preparatory Academy is known for its personalized learning curriculum that supports different learning styles. Casa Grande is also home to the Barca Residency Academy, a soccer academy owned by FC Barcelona for student-athletes.
Saguaro Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Casa Grande Middle School serves approximately 657 students.
Casa Grande Union High School
Cholla Elementary School serves students from preschool through eighth grade.
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Downtown events and arts
Most events in Casa Grande are held downtown around Florence Boulevard. In the fall, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated with lots of different downtown activities, including pinatas, live performances and traditional art workshops, like Mexican bark paintings. “Our biggest event is the Electric Light Parade in December. There’s a tree lighting, people are throwing candy, and they close a big portion of Florence Boulevard and bring food trucks out there,” Weaver says. Also downtown, there are several art museums and performance venues. The Paramount Theatre dates to 1929 and regularly hosts concerts and theatrical shows.
The Paramount Theater originally opened in 1929 in Casa Grande.
A colorful neighborhood art piece in Casa Grande.
This mural has some Casa Grande features painted on it.
The skate park at Carr McNatt Park has some colorful paintings of Casa Grande.
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Getting around from Casa Grande
Casa Grande is about 47 miles southeast of Phoenix and 68 miles northwest of Tucson. Interstates 10 and 8 meet in the city, granting easy access to the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. Locals are car-dependent, though most streets are sidewalk-lined and bike-friendly. Public transportation is limited, but folks can take the Central Arizona Regional Transit (CART) from Casa Grande to nearby towns like Florence and Coolidge. Banner Casa Grande Medical Center is located in the city. Ak-Chin Regional Airport is about 12 miles northwest, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International is 43 miles northwest.
Crime and environmental factors
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the overall number of reported violent- and property-related crimes in Casa Grande decreased from about 2,200 to 1,700 between 2013 and 2023. The city’s website offers an interactive crime map that approximately shows where recent crimes have taken place.
Extreme heat, wildfires and dust storms are the main environmental concerns for locals here. Summer temperatures regularly top 100 degrees, so air conditioning is a must. In 2024, the Greene Fire burned about 9 acres about 10 miles southwest of Casa Grande; no injuries or property damage was reported. Dust storms typically occur from June through September. There haven’t been any recent dust storms that caused injury or damage, but folks can sign up for alerts on the city’s website to be notified of emergencies.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
