Cave Creek is only 32.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ. It is bordered by Tonto National Forest to the north as well as the cities of Carefree and New River.
Let’s talk about the benefits of living in Cave Creek to see if this city is a good choice for you.
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History of Cave Creek, AZ
Back in 1870, some soldiers on horseback left Fort McDowell to settle Cave Creek. Three years later, prospectors discovered gold in the town. While Cave Creek experienced an economic boom from 1935 to 1943 because of dam construction projects, the boom ended when both dams were finished.
The small town of Cave Creek was named after a nearby cave that was located next to the town.
It is known for its location in the Sonoran Desert. Many people come to Cave Creek because of its annual “Hidden in the Hills” arts festival.
Cave Creek is famous for a few of its most notable people such as:
- Sonny Barger, founder of a Hells Angels Chapter in Oakland
- Taylor Lewan, NFL player
- Shane Doan, NHL player
- David Henrie, actor
Cave Creek is an excellent place to live because of its warm climate and small-town ambiance. Some of the key benefits of moving to Cave Creek are its friendly people, reasonable home prices, and cowboy history. Plus, it’s a great town if you love outdoor adventures and live music.
1. People Living in Cave Creek, AZ – Population & Demographics
How many people live in Cave Creek? The city of Cave Creek has seen consistent growth over the years.
It has grown from 2,900 residents in 1990 to 5,340 people now. Before relocating to Cave Creek, it’s important to learn as much as possible about what the area is like.
The Cave Creek population was 4,892 during the last census. At this time, the median age of residents in Cave Creek is 58.1 years old.
Local Cave Creek demographics consist of 89.7% Caucasian, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, and 1.3% Asian. The community’s gender ratio is 53% female and 47% male.
The median household income in Cave Creek is $90,824 per year. This is $16,069 higher than the national median household income of $74,755 per year.
2. Cost of Living in Cave Creek
How much does it cost to live in Cave Creek, AZ? The average cost of living in Cave Creek is 6.2% higher than the Arizona average and 13% higher than the national average.
When living in Cave Creek, you’ll typically pay higher for your housing and transportation than you would in the rest of Arizona or the United States. However, you’ll likely pay less for health care and groceries than the rest of the country.
According to PayScale, here are some of the most common expenses you can expect.
Typical Cave Creek Living Expenses
- McDonald’s Burger Meal $5.10
- Milk (regular 1 gallon) $2.42
- Eggs (1 dozen) $2.24
- Bread (1 loaf) $3.86
- Bananas (bunch) $3.34
- Average Cost of Gasoline (per gallon) $3.62
- Doctor’s Visit $116.67
- Average Cost of Utilities (per month) 3% higher than US average
3. Cave Creek Real Estate | Buying or Selling a Home in Cave Creek?
The Cave Creek real estate market typically includes homes with large lots and ample space. While there are a few rentals listed, the majority of homes available are intended to be owner-occupied.
There are many homes, apartments, and condos for sale. The homeownership rate in Cave Creek is 92%.
Discover some of the best Cave Creek, AZ homes for sale.
The average price of a home in Cave Creek is $725,300.
Normally, you can expect to pay an average down payment between 3% and 20%.
At the moment, you can expect a median sale price of $400 per square foot.
Cave Creek property tax rate is at 0.57%, so you can expect to pay $2,850 in property taxes for a $500,000 property.
Cave Creek rent is $1,488 per month, which is about $38 more than the average in Arizona.
4. Cave Creek Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Cave Creek
Where should you live in Cave Creek? By comparing the best Cave Creek neighborhoods, you can get a better idea about where you want to relocate to.
- Loringwood Estates
- Arissona At Rockaway Valley
- Carroll Heights
- Estado De Cholla
- Black Mountain Vista
- Cave Creek Vistas
- Cave Creek South
Cave Creek operates 15 parks, preserves, hiking trails, and green spaces for all residents to enjoy.
Check them out at the Cave Creek Parks and Recreation site.
If you’re looking for convenient shopping in Cave Creek, there are a number of options you can choose from. Within the city, you can find Stagecoach Village, the Sculpture Studio, Walmart, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Cave Creek Market.
Cave Creek is 32.1 miles from Phoenix.
The commute from Cave Creek to downtown Phoenix takes about 43 minutes.
5. Cave Creek Weather & Climate
Cave Creek weather tends to be sweltering in the summer and fairly cold in the winter. Like most of Arizona, you can expect a lot of sun. In fact, there are only 38.3 rainy days a year
The climate in Cave Creek is semiarid, so it’s quite dry.
The average temperature in Cave Creek ranges between highs of 104°F and lows of 77°F in the summer and highs of 64°F and lows of 42°F in the winter.
Cave Creek receives about 11 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow each year. This part of Arizona almost never gets any snow. But you can drive several hours north to enjoy snow activities in other parts of the state.
6. Things to Do in Cave Creek
Within Cave Creek, there are a range of different things you can do.
Cave Creek Museum
As one of the top things to do in Cave Creek, the Cave Creek Museum offers a number of exhibits. You can learn about gold mining, Sonoran Desert life, and the Golden Reef Stamp Mill. Known as one of the best Cave Creek attractions, the museum is fun for the whole family.
Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E Skyline Dr, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, (480) 488-2764
Cave Creek Regional Park
If you like outdoor activities, Cave Creek Regional Park is worth a visit. Spanning 2,922 acres, this desert park has many hiking trails and places to explore. Plus, there are picnic areas and campgrounds.
Cave Creek Regional Park, 37019 N Lava Ln, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, (602) 506-2930
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Jewel of the Creek Preserve
If you’re looking for points of interest, you need to check out the creek this town got its name from. Known as one of the top parks and landmarks, Jewel of the Creek is a hiking trail that follows Cave Creek. As you walk along, you can enjoy beautiful willow trees, cacti, and cottonwood trees.
Jewel of the Creek Preserve, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, (480) 488-6131
Frontier Town
For a can’t miss thing to do in Cave Creek, head over to Frontier Town. This Wild West town is one of the most popular places to visit because it feels like the entire town was pulled out of the 1870s. Throughout the year, you can find gunfighter shows and other events.
Frontier Town, 6245 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, (480) 488-9129
Additional Cave Creek Attractions
7. Cave Creek Restaurants
Through the top restaurants in Cave Creek, you can enjoy a range of cuisines. From Southwestern cuisine to American diners, there are many restaurants to choose from.
Harold’s Cave Creek Corral
As one of Cave Creek’s top places to eat, World’s Cave Creek Corral has a range of entrees and appetizers. Known as one of the best Western grills, this restaurant offers live music and country dancing.
Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, (480) 488-1906
Big Earl’s Greasy Eats
Over the years, Big Earl’s Greasy Eats has developed a reputation as one of the top restaurants in Cave Creek if you’re looking for a hamburger. Other than just hamburgers and fries, you can enjoy shakes, cocktails, and retro cuisine. Everything is served inside a former gas station.
Big Earl’s Greasy Eats, 6135 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, (480) 575-7889
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Stumblina’s Cantina
For a romantic, Western-style bar, head through the saloon doors to check out Stumbalina’s Catina. Famous as one of Cave Creek’s top places to eat, this cantina has local favorites, like poblano peacemaker, borracho nachos, and Wyatt Earp carne asada tacos.
Stumblina’s Cantina, 6268 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, (480) 687-9077
8. Jobs in Cave Creek
The average salary in Cave Creek is $40, 867 per year.
Meanwhile, the state income tax rate is 2.5%.
Currently, the Cave Creek unemployment rate is at 6.1%.
If you’re looking for Cave Creek jobs, the following companies are some of the best places to work in Cave Creek:
- Cave Creek Unified School District
- Costco
- United States Postal Service
- Target
- Kroger
9. Cave Creek Schools
There are around 695 kids between the ages of 0 to 18 years old living in Cave Creek. Children make up about 14% of the population.
Cave Creek is an excellent place for families to live, which is why so many children and families choose to live in the area.
Cave Creek Unified District is the only school district in the area. Some of the top schools include:
- Desert Willow Elementary School
- Evit Cactus Shadows High School
- Annunciation Catholic School
- Lone Mountain Elementary School
- Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
Students can also attend neighboring colleges like Paradise Valley Community College. Plus, Cave Creek is close to all the colleges Phoenix has to offer.
Students and others can enjoy access to the free Cave Creek library.
10. Crime Rate in Cave Creek
Is Cave Creek a safe place to live? Cave Creek is a safe place to live with a low crime rate and quiet streets.
The crime rate in Cave Creek is only 810 out of 100,000 people.
If there is a problem, the Cave Creek Town Marshal is on hand to help.
You can also look at the Cave Creek crime map to find the safest places to live in town.
11. Essential Cave Creek Information
- Square Miles: 37.72 square miles
- County: Maricopa County
- Zip Codes: 85237 and 85331
- Area Code: 602
The time zone in Cave Creek is Mountain Standard Time. The town uses Standard Time (ST). Like the rest of Arizona, Cave Creek doesn’t use Daylight Savings Time (DST).
The elevation in Cave Creek is 2,553 feet above sea level.
Map of Cave Creek, AZ
Find plenty of other things to do, places to eat, and beyond with this helpful Cave Creek map.
Tips for Living in Cave Creek
Before you move to Cave Creek, it’s important to remember a few basic tips:
- Your vehicle needs excellent air conditioning. It’s often your only respite from the heat when you’re out and about.
- This area has different kinds of plants, so your experience with allergies may be different after you move to Cave Creek.
- Traffic tends to be worse in the winter as visitors arrive to enjoy the weather. As summer arrives, traffic levels drop slightly.
Moving to Cave Creek, AZ
There are many reasons to move to Cave Creek. This friendly, close-knit community is a popular spot to live because of its safe streets, great schools, and lovely parks.
If you need a real estate agent, reach out to a Cave Creek real estate team like our trusted partners at SPACE.
