Found about 40.3 miles away from downtown Phoenix, the city of Gold Canyon is bordered by Mesa, Apache Junction, and Queen Valley.
To better understand what living in Gold Canyon is like, let’s look at the city’s history, amenities, and beyond.
History of Gold Canyon
Back in 1976, Harold Christ originally set out to develop the land where present-day Gold Canyon is located. While it didn’t even have water five decades ago, it now contains five golf courses, a resort, and a beautiful community.
The town was named after the Gold Canyon Resort.
Gold Canyon is known for its proximity to the seasonal Arizona Renaissance Festival as well as the Wave Cave Trail, and other popular attractions.
Gold Canyon is home to notable people like:
- Harold Christ, city founder and owner of the Gold Canyon Resort
Gold Canyon is a wonderful place to live because of its quiet streets and easy access to area amenities. You’re only a few minutes from bigger parts of town but the hustle and bustle of city life feels completely absent. Instead, you can enjoy having local hiking trails and outdoor adventures only a moment away.
If you’re falling in love with the area, discover some of the benefits of moving to Gold Canyon before you relocate.
1. People Living in Gold Canyon, AZ – Population & Demographics
How many people live in Gold Canyon? The city of Gold Canyon has grown significantly over the years. While it had only 6,029 in the 2000 US Census, it has almost doubled that number since then because of all the people relocating to Gold Canyon.
The Gold Canyon population is around 11,404 residents.
The median age of Gold Canyon residents is 66.6 years old, making it much more common for seniors and retirees to call it home.
Gold Canyon demographics are made up of 86% Caucasian, 8% Hispanic, 1% African American, and 1% Asian. The gender ratio in the city is 54% female and 46% male.
The median household income in Gold Canyon is $83,654 per year.
2. Cost of Living in Gold Canyon, AZ
How much does it cost to live in Gold Canyon, AZ?
The average cost of living in Gold Canyon is 2.1% higher than the US average and 4.1% lower than the Arizona average.
Compared to the rest of Arizona, Gold Canyon has lower-than-average expenses for groceries. However, it has higher-than-average prices for health care, housing, utilities, and transportation.
According to AreaVibes, these are some of the prices you can expect.
Typical Gold Canyon Living Expenses
- Movie $12.23
- Potatoes $4.54
- Pizza $13.22
- Milk (regular 1 gallon) $4.84
- Shampoo $1.24
- Beef $5.75
- Doctor’s Visit $126.58
- Average Cost of Gasoline (per gallon) $4.47
- Average Cost of Electricity (per month) $193.37
3. Gold Canyon Real Estate | Buying or Selling a Home in Gold Canyon?
The Gold Canyon real estate market contains custom homes and properties worth more than $1 million nestled inside golf clubs and gated communities. If you want to test the waters first, there is an RV park in the town that many prospective homeowners stay at while they check out the area. While you can find some high-end rentals in the city, most of the community consists of single-family homes for purchase.
The homeownership rate in Gold Canyon is 94.4%.
Discover the latest Gold Canyon, AZ homes for sale.
The average price of a home in Gold Canyon is $402,400.
Within Gold Canyon, you can expect to pay an average down payment of 3% to 20%.
Buyers in the city will pay a median sale price of around $284 per square foot.
The Gold Canyon property tax rate is 0.650%, so the average home will cost $2,616 in property taxes each year.
You can expect to pay about $1,226 per month on average for rent in Gold Canyon. As a result, the average price of rent is $224 less than the average in Arizona.
4. Gold Canyon Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Gold Canyon
Where should you live in Gold Canyon? If you’re interested in living in the area, check out the best Gold Canyon neighborhoods before you relocate:
- Casas of Mesa del Oro
- Gold Canyon East
- Gold Canyon Estates
- Mesa del Oro
- Mountain Brook Village
Gold Canyon and Pinal County operate 11 parks and other amenities in and around the town for all residents to enjoy.
Check them out on the Gold Canyon Parks and Recreation site.
After you move to the area, you can enjoy all of the convenient shopping that Gold Canyon has to offer. While it doesn’t have as many options as Phoenix does, it still contains the basic necessities. When you’re in Gold Canyon, check out Bashas’, Walgreens, Blume Boutique, and Gold Canyon Consignment.
Gold Canyon is 40.3 miles from Phoenix. The commute from Gold Canyon to downtown Phoenix takes about 44 minutes on average.
5. Gold Canyon, AZ Weather & Climate
Gold Canyon weather tends to be cold in the winter and has clear skies for most of the year. Summers are incredibly hot, so air conditioning is a necessity.
The climate in Gold Canyon is semiarid. This means, like most semiarid regions, it rarely gets more than 10 to 20 inches of rain a year.
The average temperature in Gold Canyon ranges from highs of 105°F to lows of 78°F in the summer. In the winter, the area receives highs of 65°F to lows of 41°F. Gold Canyon typically receives 12 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow per year.
While this area rarely gets snow, you can easily drive a few hours north to cities like Flagstaff and other parts of the state to enjoy snow activities.
Among other outdoor activities, Gold Canyon residents can enjoy hiking, golfing, walking, horseback riding, and biking.
6. Things to Do in Gold Canyon
For people who live in the area, there are a range of things to do in Gold Canyon to have fun.
Dinosaur Park
Started as a dream between two friends, Dinosaur Park is one of the most popular parks and landmarks in the city. It includes a playground, a butterfly garden, and a walking trail.
Dinosaur Park, 5622 S Alameda Road, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
Sidewinder Golf Course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort
If you’re looking for other Gold Canyon attractions and points of interest, the Sidewinder Golf Course is worth a visit. The resort has two 18-hole Championship courses, so you can check out the Dinosaur Mountain course as well. There’s an entire roller coaster weaving through the course, so the experience is truly unforgettable.
Sidewinder Golf Course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort, 6100 S Kings Ranch Rd, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 982-9449
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Gold Canyon Arts Festival
Run by the Gold Canyon Arts Council, the Gold Canyon Arts Festival happens every January and is a can’t-miss thing to do in Gold Canyon. Each year, thousands of people arrive to see the art of nearly 100 local artists.
Gold Canyon Arts Festival, 6640 S. King’s Ranch Rd. in Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 493-6731
Superstition Mountain Museum
If you’re tired of outdoor activities, there are other places to visit in Gold Canyon. Placed in the Superstition Mountain range, this museum contains artifacts. Plus, there is memorabilia from Western movies and a collection of model trains.
Superstition Mountain Museum, 4087 E Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, (480) 983-4888
Additional Gold Canyon Attractions
7. Gold Canyon Restaurants
From local cafes to Western-style restaurants, there are many dining establishments in the area that you can check out.
The Prospector
For one of the top restaurants in Gold Canyon, head to The Prospector. From gold prospector-inspired decor to delicious burgers, this is a great place to visit if you are looking for something simple and laidback.
The Prospector, 5783 S Mountainbrook Dr, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 671-1013
Gold Canyon Cafe
Another one of Gold Canyon’s top places to eat is the Gold Canyon Cafe. This is the best local diner for breakfast. You can try out huevos rancheros, green chile omelets, or multigrain pancakes.
Gold Canyon Cafe, 6900 US-60 #107, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 983-1933
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De La Cruz Mexican Grille
For one of the top restaurants in Gold Canyon for Mexican food, visit De La Cruz Mexican Grille. It serves Sonoran-style cuisine, like shrimp chile rellenos and chimichangas.
De La Cruz Mexican Grille, 5301 S Superstition Mountain Dr, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 982-5401
8. Jobs in Gold Canyon
The average salary in Gold Canyon is $42,410 per year.
In Arizona, the state income tax rate is 2.5%.
The Gold Canyon unemployment rate is 4.7%.
If you’re interested in finding Gold Canyon jobs, the following companies are some of the best places to work in Gold Canyon:
- Gold Canyon Golf Resort
- Bashas’ Supermarkets
- Tri-City Cardiology Consultants
- Apache Junction Unified School District
- Gold Canyon Spa
9. Gold Canyon Schools
Currently, there are around 925 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old in Gold Canyon. They make up only 8% of the population.
Gold Canyon is a good place for families to live but it’s also much more common for seniors and retirees to move there.
Apache Junction Unified School District is the main district serving Gold Canyon.
Some of the best schools in Gold Canyon are:
- Apache Junction Unified School District
- Cactus Canyon Junior High School
- Four Peaks Elementary School
- Peralta Trail Elementary School
- Desert Vista Elementary School
- Apache Junction High School
While there aren’t any colleges and universities in Gold Canyon, Central Arizona College is less than 10 miles away.
Local residents will enjoy easy access to the free Gold Canyon library.
10. Crime Rate in Gold Canyon
Is Gold Canyon a safe place to live? Gold Canyon is a safe place to call home with relatively little crime.
The crime rate in Gold Canyon is 874 per 100,000 people.
Residents in Gold Canyon can walk around their neighborhood with peace of mind.
Instead of having their own Gold Canyon police department, this safe community trusts the Pinal County Sheriff to manage the handful of problems that occur throughout the year.
11. Essential Gold Canyon Information
- Square Miles: 28.67 square miles
- County: Pinal County
- Zip Code: 85118, 85119
- Area Code: 602 and 480
The time zone in Gold Canyon is Mountain Standard Time. Like the rest of Arizona, Gold Canyon doesn’t use Daylight Savings Time.
The elevation in Gold Canyon is 1,913 feet above sea level.
Map of Gold Canyon, AZ
Find plenty of other things to do, places to eat, and more with this Gold Canyon map.
Tips for Living in Gold Canyon
- Get out and explore the surrounding cities and communities. While there are trails and parks nearby, you’ll find more amenities if you explore in a 30-minute radius.
- Heat safety is important. It’s easy to become dehydrated or suffer from heat stroke if you aren’t careful. Always pack a water bottle and be mindful of the weather conditions.
- Air conditioning is a must so make sure your A/C unit is serviced regularly.
Moving to Gold Canyon, AZ
There are many reasons to move to Gold Canyon. From quiet streets to beautiful trails, you’ll find many fun amenities to try out.
If you need a real estate agent as you search for your new home, we know a Gold Canyon real estate team that can help. Reach out to our experienced partners at SPACE.
