Set about 20 miles west of booming, urban Phoenix, the city of Goodyear has a more suburban vibe. “Goodyear offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than Phoenix,” says Jamil Alshmailawi, a Realtor with West USA Realty and Goodyear local. Established in 1917 as a cotton-farming area for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, the city gradually became part of the Phoenix metro area's housing and job market; between 2000 and 2023, the city's population surged from about 18,000 to 100,000. To accommodate this growth, Goodyear continues to actively build new homes and expand its shopping and dining scene. Meanwhile, events at Goodyear Ballpark are a major tourist draw, including spring training games featuring the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds.
Technology, manufacturing and distribution are major industries here, and top employers include Amazon, UPS and Macy’s. While many locals work in Goodyear, it’s also typical for folks to commute to nearby cities; Interstate 10 makes it easy to navigate the whole Phoenix metro area.
Master-planned suburbia in the Phoenix metro area
The median home price in Goodyear is about $500,000, compared to $460,000 in Phoenix. Over the past five years, nearly 7,000 home-building permits have been city-approved to keep up with Goodyear’s rapid expansion. “There’s a lot of building happening," West says. "For instance, we have a lot of master-planned communities that are being added to. As far as what’s being built, I think the sky’s the limit.”
Most homes here are new traditional Spanish-style built over the past 20 years in master-planned communities. However, there are also some pockets of mid-to-late 20th-century ranch-style homes, like those in Historic Goodyear. Several master-planned communities, including Palm Valley, offer shared amenities like neighborhood pools or clubhouses. There are also some apartment complexes and condo buildings around Estrella Parkway, conveniently located near the city’s shopping and dining centers.
Breathtaking aerial view of two lakes and vibrant community in Estrella Mountain.
Single-family homes sit behind wide sidewalks in Canyon Trails.
Homes in Canyon Trails sit on well-maintained lawns.
Explore the multiple activities offered at the Goodyear Recreation Center in Canyon Trails.
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Multiple school districts and private schools
There are six public school districts in Goodyear, including the Litchfield Elementary School District, rated A-minus overall by Niche, and the B-rated Buckeye Union High School District. At Buckeye Union high schools, students may explore their interests through career and technical courses in subjects like agriscience, graphic design and sports medicine. There are also a few private schools in the city, including the B-minus-rated West Valley Christian School and the B-rated Odyssey Preparatory Academy.
The administrative hub at Litchfield Elementary School in Litchfield Park.
Exploring Buckeye Union High School in Buckeye, featuring the gym building.
West Valley Christian School encourages academic and spiritual well-being.
The Odyssey Preparatory Academy creates and nurtures a culture of academic excellence.
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Natural beauty and parks in Goodyear
Goodyear offers 20 parks for folks to explore. “One of the standout features of Goodyear is its commitment to green spaces and outdoor recreation,” Alshmailawi says. The 86-acre Goodyear Recreation Campus is a standout for its waterpark-style aquatic center, gym and outdoor sports like soccer, softball and pickleball. “Estrella Mountain Regional Park is a personal favorite of mine,” Alshmailawi says. The sprawling Estrella Mountain Regional Park spans nearly 20,000 acres of serene desert landscape, and it’s popular for camping, fishing and lots of hiking, biking and horseback riding across its 33 miles of dirt-packed trails. Golfing’s popular in Goodyear, too, and there are eight courses for folks to try out, including Golf Club of Estrella, which offers a manicured 18-hole course with striking views of the Sierra Estrella Mountains.
Locals from Centerra enjoy playing pickleball at the Goodyear Rec Center.
Discover the best of both worlds: hiking trails and baseball fields at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
The residents in Estrella enjoy scenic views on the gold course.
There are many local basketball courts in Goodyear.
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Shopping and dining around Estrella Parkway
There are several shopping centers on or near Estrella Parkway, which include grocery stores, big-box retailers and fast-food chains, as well as lots of small businesses and locally owned restaurants. For nightlife, the city has a few bars and music venues.
City residents have long been asking local government for a downtown center, and one is now officially underway. In 2022, the Goodyear Civic Square mixed-use development, known locally as the GSQ, debuted on the site of a long-empty former scallion farm, featuring a city hall, library and a community park. As of fall 2024, it's being expanded to include rental housing, office spaces and a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Super Target in Canyon Trails has household and grocery needs.
Indulge in local deals at the Ross and Dollar Tree in Canyon Trails Towne Center.
To enjoy a brew and chow down on a cheeseburger, swing by Saddle Mountain Brewing Company.
At the new Goodyear Civic Square, neighbors can gather for festivals, events and concerts.
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Spring training at Goodyear Ballpark
Goodyear Ballpark isn’t just a draw for locals, it’s a hub for folks from across the Phoenix metro area. The ballpark’s best known as the spring training home of the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds, whose games attract over 100,000 baseball fans each year. Goodyear Ballpark’s also a key event venue for annual traditions, like the Arizona Balloon Classic in February, where folks watch a fleet of colorful hot air balloons take off into the night. The Star Spangled Fourth event is another big celebration that includes fireworks and lots of family fun that overflows from the ballpark into the Goodyear Recreation Campus, like carnival games, live music and food trucks.
Be sure to purchase tickets to a baseball game at Goodyear Ballpark in Canyon Trails.
Commuting via Interstate 10
Interstate 10 leads about 20 miles east to Phoenix, and travels much of the Phoenix metro area. Goodyear locals are generally car-dependent, but Valley Metro buses stop in the city as well. Abrazo West Campus Hospital and Phoenix-Goodyear Airport are located within the city, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 20 miles east.
Crime and environmental factors
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the total number of reported violent- and property-related crimes here has increased from 1,800 to 2,000 between 2013 and 2023. Locals may view current crime trends on the city’s online LexisNexis Community Crime Map.
Extreme heat and wildfires are the main environmental concerns in Goodyear. Temperatures regularly top 100 degrees from June through August; air-conditioned days inside and trips to community pools are typical ways to beat the heat. In 2024, the Flying Bucket Fire burned 2,800 acres of desert brush about 50 miles south; no injuries were reported. Locals may sign up for GY Alerts to receive emergency weather notifications.
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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.
