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Santa Cruz Southwest

Santa Cruz Southwest

Suburban Neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona

Pima County 85713, 85746

$253,523 Average Value
$168 Average Price per Sq Ft
8 Homes For Sale

Peaceful, suburban living south of Tucson

Santa Cruz Southwest offers a commuter-friendly neighborhood with home prices approximately $300,000 below the median for downtown Tucson, which sits less than 10 miles to the northeast. Home to over 6,000 people, the area allows residents to choose their way of life, with larger lot sizes to the south and a stronger sense of community to the north. No matter where residents of Santa Cruz Southwest live, they enjoy views of the mountains right in their backyard.

Relatively affordable Santa Cruz homes with mountain views

Two mobile home parks comprise about half of the neighborhood: Silverlake Estates and Verde Plaza. According to Gizelle A., the leasing contact for Silverlake Estates and a resident of the community, “It’s peaceful and quiet, and there are a lot of children around.” The only drawback, she notes, is that “we do live in front of the Pima jail.” Though lots in both Silverlake Estates and Verde Plaza include single-family living, properties are rented from the association. For ranch-style homes with larger lots, subdivisions like San Xavier offer a more secluded feel and sit close to vast green spaces like John F. Kennedy Park. Prices in the area range, with mobile homes starting around $70,000 and ranch-style houses starting around $250,000.

Colorful mobile homes make up some housing in Santa Cruz Southwest.
Colorful mobile homes make up some housing in Santa Cruz Southwest.
A row of typical mobile homes in Santa Cruz Southwest.
A row of typical mobile homes in Santa Cruz Southwest.
The Verde Plaza mobile home park is at the center of Santa Cruz Southwest.
The Verde Plaza mobile home park is at the center of Santa Cruz Southwest.
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Getting around the greater Tucson area

Because the 23 bus stops along South Mission Road and the 50 bus stops along Route 86, cars aren’t a necessity in the neighborhood. For those who prefer to drive, ramps to Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 can be reached in less than a mile.

Santa Cruz Southwest is minutes from A-Mountain and Downtown Tucson.
Santa Cruz Southwest is minutes from A-Mountain and Downtown Tucson.
Numerous public transportation stops are available in Santa Cruz Southwest.
Numerous public transportation stops are available in Santa Cruz Southwest.
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Pueblo High School serves grades 9-12 in Tucson, Arizona.
Pueblo High School serves grades 9-12 in Tucson, Arizona.

Tucson Unified schools close to home

Part of the Tucson Unified School District, the neighborhood benefits from the 17th-best district for athletes in the state, according to Niche. Though kids across Santa Cruz Southwest might attend different elementary schools, many begin at Tolson Elementary, a C-plus-graded school, and transition to Morgan Maxwell for middle school, a C-graded school. For high school, students attend Cholla, a school with a B-minus grade and International Baccalaureate course options.

Shopping and dining along West Ajo Way

Though most of Santa Cruz Southwest is residential, there are stores and restaurants near the intersection of South Mission Road and West Ajo Way. Food City takes care of groceries and essentials, while Little Caesars and Jack in the Box cover dinner on the go. For dining out, the Bamboo Terrace is a local favorite, its Chinese cuisine and vibrant red booths a staple in the community for decades.

A Santa Cruz Southwest resident shops at Food City.
A Santa Cruz Southwest resident shops at Food City.
Lucky Wishbone has been serving Tucson since 1953 and has a location in Santa Cruz Southwest.
Lucky Wishbone has been serving Tucson since 1953 and has a location in Santa Cruz Southwest.
Rodolfo's Tacos is a popular Mexican restaurant in Santa Cruz Southwest.
Rodolfo's Tacos is a popular Mexican restaurant in Santa Cruz Southwest.
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Heading outdoors near the Santa Cruz River

Because of the Santa Cruz River’s proximity to the neighborhood, residents can access its bordering trail, which is “2 miles both ways, north and south. A lot of bikers and runners use it,” Giselle A. of Silverlake Estates explains. Kennedy Park also flanks the neighborhood to the west, a green space spanning over 160 acres with sports courts, horseshoe pits and a playground. When the sun’s rays are too harsh to enjoy the outdoors, Pima County Public Library keeps residents cool—its location right against Kennedy Park near South Mission Road.

A bicyclist rides along The Loop in Santa Cruz Southwest.
A bicyclist rides along The Loop in Santa Cruz Southwest.
The Chuck Huckleberry Loop runs through Santa Cruz Southwest and connects all throughout Tucson.
The Chuck Huckleberry Loop runs through Santa Cruz Southwest and connects all throughout Tucson.
The Santa Cruz River Park runs through the Santa Cruz Southwest neighborhood.
The Santa Cruz River Park runs through the Santa Cruz Southwest neighborhood.
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Community events in Kennedy Park and downtown Tucson

Kennedy Park hosts several events in the area, including benefit tournaments, music festivals and a circus. Santa Cruz River Park also hosts events, including an annual turkey shoot. Although about 10 miles from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, Santa Cruz Southwest can collaborate with neighborhoods throughout Tucson at the organization’s networking events and book clubs.

Popular destinations around Santa Cruz Southwest

Though located within Tucson, residents can access Sentinel Peak Park within 5 miles, ensuring mountain climbs and challenging hikes are always within reach. The Tucson International Airport is less than 10 miles away, allowing locals to explore outside Arizona without worrying about missing their flight.

Residents are welcome to to garden at the La Milpitas Farm in Santa Cruz Southwest.
Residents are welcome to to garden at the La Milpitas Farm in Santa Cruz Southwest.
The community garden in Santa Cruz Southwest works with the community food bank.
The community garden in Santa Cruz Southwest works with the community food bank.
Santa Cruz Southwest is minutes from downtown Tucson.
Santa Cruz Southwest is minutes from downtown Tucson.
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Alicia Swain
Written By
Alicia Swain
Kristen Rademacher
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Mary Desmond
Video By
Mary Desmond

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Jose Campillo, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Tucson International

16 min drive

Bus

Mission & Veterans

Bus

Mission & C La Paz

Bus

Ajo & Freedom Drive

Bus

Mission & 2800 Block

Bus

Silverlake & Mission

Bus

Silverlake & Silverlake Estates

Bus

Ajo & Mission SE

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Santa Cruz Southwest US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$227,000
Median Single Family Price
$163,750
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$168
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Months of Supply
6.40
Median List Price
$221,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
425
Median Year Built
1981
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,284
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,227

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Jose Campillo, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,377
Median Age
32
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$34,005
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,269

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
68%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
5.4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.7%
% Population in Labor Force
57%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
10''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
102°F
Annual Snowfall
1''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

52 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

44 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

25 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Santa Cruz Southwest