Less than 20 miles north of downtown Scottsdale in the desert foothills of McDowell Mountain, the master-planned community of DC Ranch provides private, luxury living with proximity to popular hiking trails, local country clubs and shopping and dining. DC Ranch is made up of 26 subdivisions across four residential villages, most of which are gated. “There’s a real sense of security here, which a lot of people like,” says longtime DC Ranch resident Deborah Beardsley, an associate broker with Silverleaf Realty. “There are multiple man-guarded and transponder gates.” The neighborhood HOA is at the forefront of the community, hosting regular events at the community center, maintaining recreational facilities and keeping the community aesthetically up-to-par. “The HOA is very important and does a good job of maintaining the value of the homes and keeping everybody proud of the neighborhood they live in,” Beardsley says. “There’s a lot that goes into maintaining the design and the look of the community and that’s important to them. You’re not going to see homes in disarray. They make sure that the homes are maintained and well landscaped, and they care a lot about the authenticity of the landscaping. It respects the desert and what is native to the desert, but it has a sense of lushness.”
Being a resident of DC Ranch, for many, feels like belonging to an exclusive club.
Stucco Spanish influenced homes with tile roofs are commonly found in DC Ranch.
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Master-planned living with builds post-dating 1990
While new construction can be found in several subdivisions throughout the community, homes began construction around 1990, and many of the oldest properties have since been fully renovated — though Beardsley notes that a design review committee must review exterior renovations. “There’s an expectation of what you build, and design guidelines are given to make sure what is being built is what is expected in the Arizona desert,” she says. “People drive through and say, ‘these are really beautiful homes,’ and I’m not just talking about the more expensive ones. I’m also talking about the townhomes. They’re all very thoughtfully designed and maintained.”
Like most in the desert, homes here have southwestern architecture with stucco walls and clay tile roofs, though some take on more of a Tuscan appearance, and many custom mansions were built with contemporary architecture. Buyers can find modest townhomes for less than $500,000 ranging to as much as $3 million. Single-family detached homes start at around $700,000, while sprawling custom estates with acreage at the base of the mountains can go for over $25 million. “It’s a highly desirable place to live and you can see that in the appreciation of the home values,” Beardsley says. While some with lush grass, most embrace the desert and use a combination of rocks and plants that do well in the dry heat.
More affordable townhomes and duplexes can be found within the DC Ranch community.
Sprawling custom homes on quiet streets give a peaceful place to live in DC Ranch.
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Access to community centers, small parks, and prime hiking trails at McDowell Mountain
Locals can enjoy over 225 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails through McDowell Mountain at McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which spans over 30,000 acres on the community’s east side. At Gateway Trailhead, hikers can access popular trails like the 4.5-mile Gateway Loop, rated as moderately difficult. For a flat, smooth hike without a change in elevation that is accessible for all ages and abilities, the Bajeda Nature Trail is a short half-mile journey.
Residents of DC ranch have access to dozens of small, private pocket parks with greenspace that are distributed throughout each of the community’s subdivisions. The parks are interconnected by over 50 miles of paved walking and biking paths that run through DC Ranch. Market Street Park in the commercial hub is a popular spot for community gathering and picnicking and has a small children’s play area and a community fire pit. DC Ranch residents can also enjoy indoor and outdoor recreation at the neighborhood’s two community centers, where residents can shoot hoops or use the playgrounds; Homestead Community Center has a splash pad, while Desert Camp Community Center offers an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor fitness center, and tennis and pickleball courts. The Country Club at DC Ranch and Silverleaf Country Club are both frequented by many golfers in the DC Ranch community.
DC Ranch is close to Gateway Trailhead where you’ll find many hiking and biking trails.
Many interconnecting paved trails and bike lanes can be found throughout DC Ranch.
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A small, walkable main drag with local dining and boutique shopping
Shopping and dining can be found right within the community at Market Street, a walkable commercial district at the intersection of Pima Road and Thompson Peak Parkway that was designed to resemble the center of a small, rustic town. Here, residents can pick up grocery essentials at Safeway or stop into several boutiques including Betsy and Tracy for women’s clothing and accessories and Baby Lux for stylish fashions for the little one. An array of restaurants can also be found at Market Street, including The Living Room Wine Cafe & Lounge, a chic hangout with a wide offering of wines and signature cocktails with handhelds, shareables and creative desserts like donuts with DIY syringe-injectable filling. Eggstasy is a go-to for breakfast and brunch, popular for creative takes on pancakes and French toast, while All-American Modern Sports Grill is a favorite for classic bar bites alongside craft brews and a whiskey bar.
Shopping at DC Ranch Marketplace feels more like walking around a European village.
The Living Room in DC Ranch has a great atmosphere for brunch with friends or a business meeting
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Learning in the Scottsdale Unified School District
DC Ranch is zoned for Scottsdale Unified School District, where public school students can attend Copper Ridge School from prekindergarten through eighth grade, which earns an A-rating from Niche. At the B-plus-rated Chapparal High, students who achieve proficiency in English plus one other additional language can earn a Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma and transcripts. The school also has a robust fine arts program, with successful band, theatre, choir and orchestra ensembles. Several private schools are also located nearby, including the A-rated Notre Dame Prep.
Copper Ridge School offers a nurturing and challenging learning environment in Scottsdale.
Unleashing potential at Chaparral High School in Cactus, Arizona.
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Regular events at the two community centers
Residents can catch live performances from a variety of cover bands during the spring Starlight Concert Series at Market Street Park. The two community centers regularly host special events for residents of all ages and interests, including weekly food trucks, dive-in movies at the pool, concerts, family game nights and more. Homestead Community Center also hosts the Homestead Playhouse Community Theatre, staging talent from local children and adults. DC Ranch is home to several resident-led clubs that regularly meet at the community centers, like book club, women’s club, pickleball club and more.
Access to surrounding hubs via Loop 101
DC Ranch is just northeast of Loop 101, which encircles the Valley and provides connecting access to downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and other destinations throughout the metro area. For emergency and specialized medical care, Phoenix’s outpost of the Mayo Clinic Hospital is less than 10 miles west, and for air travel, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 25 miles southwest.
Employees of the Mayo Clinic may choose to live in nearby DC Ranch.
Highway 101 offers DC Ranch residents easy access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
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Low CAP Index scores for both property and violent crime
DC Ranch scores low on the CAP Index, with a score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national score of 4 out of 10. While the community scores low on the CAP Index for property crime, the scores for violent crime are especially low.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kathleen Benoit,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Terrace Homes West Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Market Street Park
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Gateway Trailhead
Trails
Parking Lot
Ironwood Park Playground
Basketball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Horizon Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trails
Parking Lot
Hiking
Transit
Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International
35 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
DC Ranch
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in DC Ranch, Scottsdale sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in DC Ranch, Scottsdale over the last 12 months is $2,650,817, down 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 9270 E Thompson Peak Pkwy #367, a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom single-level townhome on a premium corner lot in the Columbia neighborhood within gated DC Ranch Country Club. This low-maintenance property offers a true lock-and-leave lifestyle with ideal North/South exposure, abundant natural light, and high ceilings. The open-concept kitchen connects seamlessly to the main living area with
Discover upscale Scottsdale living in the heart of DC Ranch—where timeless elegance meets vibrant community. This beautifully appointed Camelot Villa offers a prime location just a short stroll to Market Street's boutique shops, cafes, and fine dining. Gourmet kitchen features custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, double ovens, and a spacious island. A dedicated home office
Welcome to your private oasis in the heart of North Scottsdale's prestigious Ironwood Village—where timeless Spanish modern design meets organic elegance. This architectural gem seamlessly blends clean, contemporary lines with warm, natural textures: think smooth, plaster fireplace, warm woods throughout, arched iron doors, and hand-selected artisan finishes. Set within the highly sought-after
Beautiful custom estate located in the Country Club at DC Ranch neighborhood, built around a charming, gated courtyard that could compete with some of the best spas in town. This 9660 sf home offers 6 bedrooms, all ensuite, a spacious remodeled kitchen, family room, flex room off of 3 secondary bedrooms, formal living and dining rooms, office, loft with built-in study area or library, media room,
Located within the gated DC Ranch neighborhood of Desert Park Villas, this well maintained 2-bedroom + den townhome offers light-filled, low-maintenance living with a prime south-facing patio just steps from the community pool. This residence features plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors, from the charming wrap-around front porch to the south-facing, oversized paver stone patio, perfect for an
Located in the gated community of DC Ranch, this stunning Camelot home offers breathtaking mountain views and a thoughtfully designed split master floor plan. With a no-expense-spared gourmet kitchen, featuring a La Cournue French-imported range, Miele refrigerator, quartz counters, center island, butler's pantry, and custom backsplash, the home provides an unparalleled culinary experience. The
HOME AWAY FROM HOME!! Enjoy your stay at this beautifully furnished home in DC Ranch. Spacious 3 bedrooms and 3 baths fully furnished with everything you need for a nice stay. Relax in the heated pool while watching the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Enjoy all this community has to offer: biking,walking paths, clubhouse/Rec room, golf course, work out facility, tennis courts, and children's
4 BR - 3 Bath in Ironwood Village N. Scottsdale at 9121 E. Nittany Dr. Scottsdale AZ. •Large open living room and dining room with vaulted ceiling. OWNER PAYS FOR POOL SERVICE/ MAINTENANCE AND LANDSCAPING ! Heated pool, wood burning fireplace in family room, repainted interior, new wood looking planked tile flooring on 1st floor. •3 bedrooms upstairs and guest bedroom/office
Beautiful design and picturesque location are uniquely embodied in this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath DC Ranch home, situated steps from an exclusive private park and playground. Located in the Parks & Manor neighborhood, this 2,762 SF home boasts a park-view covered front porch, soaring living room ceilings, versatile bonus room, excellent open floor plan and fully appointed kitchen with granite counter
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kathleen Benoit,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
8,820
Median Age
50
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$190,725
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$201,595
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.3%
College Graduates
78.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
32.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
10''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
104°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
