Queen Creek a beautiful city located about 37.7 miles away from downtown Phoenix.
It is bordered by Gilbert, Mesa, San Tan Valley, and the San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of living in Queen Creek to see if relocating is right for you.
History of Queen Creek
In 1919, C.H. Rittenhouse made a railroad stop at the area that is now known as Queen Creek. He set up the Queen Creek Farms Company. At the time, it was known as Rittenhouse, which is now a well-known street that travels through the city.
Later on, Rittenhouse was renamed Queen Creek because of the local creek that flowed through the area as well as the Silver Queen Mine.
The following are some of the most notable people who have lived in Queen Creek:
- Brock Goates, a politician in Arizona
- Tony Huffman, racing driver
- Brock Purdy, NFL football player
Queen Creek is a wonderful place to live because of its suburban ambiance, family-friendly communities, and top-rated public schools.
Before deciding to relocate, learn more about the benefits of moving to Queen Creek.
1. People Living in Queen Creek, AZ – Population & Demographics
Over the years, Queen Creek has seen significant population growth. Since 2000, the population has increased by around 70,000 people.
After you move to the area, you can enjoy many new dining, entertainment, and recreation options. People are constantly moving to the city, so there are many social activities and clubs you can take part in.
The Queen Creek population is 76,570 residents.
Within Queen Creek, residents have a median age of 36.8 years old.
The Queen Creek demographics are 78.7% Caucasian, 16.5% Hispanic, 3.4% African American, and 2.9% Asian.
In Queen Creek, the gender ratio is 51.1% female and 48.9% male.
The median household income in Queen Creek is $127,182 per year.
2. Cost of Living in Queen Creek, AZ
How much does it cost to live in Queen Creek, AZ?
The average cost of living in Queen Creek is 6.2% higher than the average in Arizona. It is 13% higher than the US average.
While the average cost of healthcare and utilities is less than the state average, the cost of housing, transportation, and groceries is more.
Typical Queen Creek Living Expenses
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant $19.50
- McDonald’s Burger Meal $11.50
- Milk (regular 1 gallon) $2.76
- Eggs (1 Dozen) $2.02
- Bread (1 loaf) $2.25
- Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $5.49
- Domestic Beer (1 pint) $1.73
- Average Cost of Gasoline (per gallon) $3.87
- Movie Ticket (1st run) $11.50
- Average Cost of Utilities (per month) $289.37
3. Queen Creek Real Estate | Buying or Selling a Home in Queen Creek?
Thanks to its population growth in recent years, the Queen Creek real estate market offers a blend of a rural and suburban environment. It has many single-family homes with large yards.
Because these homes were built so recently for the burgeoning population, they generally contain modern features and are newly constructed.
The homeownership rate in Queen Creek is 88.6%.
If you’re interested in moving to the area, check out local Queen Creek, AZ homes for sale.
The average price of a home in Queen Creek is $677,600.
Homeowners will typically need an average down payment of 3% to 20%. Based on the average home value, this means Queen Creek buyers will often need to save a down payment worth between $20,328 and $135,520.
Within Queen Creek, homes have a median sale price of $276 per square foot.
Locals can expect to pay a Queen Creek property tax rate of 0.650%. On an average home, this works out to $4,404 per year.
When looking for an apartment in Queen Creek, you can expect to pay an average of $2,030 per month for rent. The average price of rent in Queen Creek is $480 more than the average in Arizona.
4. Queen Creek Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Queen Creek
Where should you live in Queen Creek?
If you’re looking for a home in the area, there are many beautiful options to choose from. The following are a few of the best Queen Creek neighborhoods.
- Barney Farms
- The Pecans
- Dorado Estates
- Encanterra
- Ellsworth Ranch
Queen Creek operates seven parks and other amenities for all residents to enjoy.
Check them out on the Queen Creek Parks and Recreation site.
Once you relocate, you can enjoy convenient shopping in Queen Creek. For example, residents often shop at Queen Creek Marketplace, Boot Barn, Queen Creek Village Center, Fry’s Marketplace, Kohl’s, and Old Navy.
Queen Creek is 37.7 miles from Phoenix.
The commute from Queen Creek to downtown Phoenix takes about 42 minutes.
5. Queen Creek, AZ Weather & Climate
Queen Creek weather typically involves cool winters and dry, hot summers.
The climate in Queen Creek is known for being semiarid, which means you aren’t going to experience a lot of rain or snow.
The average temperature in Queen Creek varies between highs of 65°F and lows of 42°F in the wintertime and highs of 104°F and lows of 81°F during the hottest months of the year.
On average, Queen Creek gets 10 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow per year.
The area is known for rarely receiving any snow. But you can easily drive a few hours north to other parts of Arizona if you want to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or other snow activities during the chillier months of the year.
If you’re passionate about outdoor activities, you can spend your time hiking, horseback riding, golfing, or swimming.
6. Things to Do in Queen Creek
If you’re searching for a can’t-miss thing to do in Queen Creek, there are many options to choose from. The following points of interest are just a few of the attractions you should explore while you’re in the area.
Desert Mountain Park
If you love outdoor activities, Desert Mountain Park is an award-winning park that spans 29 acres. It includes an interpretive playground, two additional playgrounds, an equestrian staging area, and multiple athletic courts. When it comes to parks and landmarks, you don’t want to miss out on Desert Mountain Park.
Desert Mountain Park, 22201 S. Hawes Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (480) 358-3000
Encanterra Golf Course
To discover one of the top things to do in Queen Creek, visit the Encanterra Golf Course. Tom Lehman designed this golf course, and it features panoramic views. As one of the area’s top points of interest, it is a great place to spend the weekend.
Encanterra Golf Course, 36460 N Encanterra Dr, Queen Creek, AZ 85140 (480) 677-8000
Queen Creek Olive Mill
At Queen Creek Olive Mill, you can enjoy one of the best Queen Creek Attractions. This olive mill features Olive Oil 101 tours, a restaurant, and a working olive farm. Its educational tours and luxury dining experience make it a can’t miss thing to do in Queen Creek.
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Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S Meridian Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (480) 888-9290
Queen Creek Botanical Gardens
For another one of the best Queen Creek attractions, visit the Queen Creek Botanical Gardens. It spans 10 acres of themed gardens. In addition to being one of the most beautiful places to visit, it offers edible landscaping, canoeing, and educational materials on sustainable food production.
Queen Creek Botanical Gardens, 25002 S 206th St, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (480) 447-2485
Additional Queen Creek Attractions
7. Queen Creek Restaurants
If you’re interested in finding one of Queen Creek’s top places to eat, there are several places to choose from. The following three restaurants are known for being some of the best in the area.
Sage & Barrel Craft Eatery
For comfort food and excellent cocktails, this is one of the top restaurants in Queen Creek. They have an extensive array of more than 40 local craft beers. When you stop by to check it out, don’t forget to try the brisket supreme shoe or horseshoe stacks.
Sage & Barrel Craft Eatery, 7215 S Power Rd #107, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (480) 597-9096
Skippy’s Grille & Cantina
If you’re looking for one of Queen Creek’s top places to eat, Skippy’s Grille & Cantina is the place to go. While it’s known for its excellent Mexican dinner dishes, this restaurant also has a top-notch brunch menu.
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Skippy’s Grille & Cantina, 23858 S Power Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (480) 988-5466
Seven Brothers
Seven Brothers is one of the top restaurants in Queen Creek for getting a hamburger. While there are a few additional menu options, the majority of menu items are hamburgers. From onion rings to grilled pineapple, you can enjoy having all types of hamburger toppings.
Seven Brothers, 24750 S Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (480) 847-2365
8. Jobs in Queen Creek
The average salary in Queen Creek is $40,056 per year.
Like the rest of Arizona, residents in Queen Creek must pay a state income tax rate of 2.5%.
The Queen Creek unemployment rate is 3.2%.
If you’re interested in finding the top Queen Creek jobs, the following are a few of the best places to work in Queen Creek:
- Intel
- Boeing
- Target
- United States Postal Service
- Queen Creek Unified District
9. Queen Creek Schools
There are around 24,334 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old in Queen Creek, making up about 32% of the population.
Queen Creek is an excellent place for families to live, which is why the population is home to so many children.
The top Queen Creek school districts are Queen Creek Unified School District and the Chandler Unified School District.
Students and families can check out many top-rated schools in Queen Creek.
- Chandler Traditional Academy-Freedom
- Benjamin Franklin High School
- Bridges Elementary School
- Dr. Camille Casteel High School
- Cortina Elementary School
- Queen Creek High School
While there are few colleges and universities in Queen Creek, students can check out the Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Communiversity at Queen Creek.
Students and others will enjoy the free Queen Creek library.
10. Crime Rate in Queen Creek
Is Queen Creek a safe place to live? Thanks to its safe streets and quiet environment, Queen Creek is an incredibly safe place to live.
The crime rate in Queen Creek is 1,138 crimes per 100,000 people.
The city’s security is provided by the Queen Creek Police Department, which was just created in 2022.
To understand what crime levels are like in your neighborhood, check out the Queen Creek crime map.
11. Essential Queen Creek Information
- Square Miles: 42.13 square miles
- County: Pinal and Maricopa Counties
- Zip Code: 85140, 85142, 85143, 85212, and 85298
- Area Code: 480
The time zone in Queen Creek is Mountain Standard Time like the rest of Arizona. You won’t have to change your clocks when the rest of the country experiences Daylight Savings Time.
The elevation in Queen Creek is 1,417 feet above sea level.
Map of Queen Creek, AZ
Find plenty of other things to do, places to eat, and beyond with this Queen Creek map.
Tips for Living in Queen Creek
- This arid climate gets hot, so always pack extra water and wear sunblock if you’re going to be outside for extended periods of time. For added protection, time your outdoor experiences so that they occur during the coolest parts of the day.
- When shopping for a house, you should look for a home that has an excellent air conditioner.
- Because public transportation options are fairly limited in the area, it’s important to have your own car.
Moving to Queen Creek, AZ
Known for its excellent schools, Queen Creek is a safe, thriving community. There are many reasons why so many people are choosing to move to the area.
If you need a real estate agent, reach out to a Queen Creek real estate team like our experienced partners at SPACE.
