Located about 12.5 miles from Phoenix, the town of Tolleson enjoys close access to the city’s many amenities. It is bordered by the neighboring cities of Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and Glendale.
Let’s talk about the advantages of living in Tolleson and whether moving here is the right choice for you.
History of Tolleson
Tolleson was founded in 1929 by a married couple, Walter and Alethea Tolleson. They opened the first stagecoach stop to exist between Yuma and Phoenix. Since then, the town has gained distribution centers, industrial development, and a growing economy.
Named in honor of its founders, Tolleson is known for its Mexican heritage, agricultural history, and unique events.
Tolleson is known for some of its notable people:
- Bob Stump, former congressman
- Merle Keagle, baseball player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
- Anna Tovar, former state senator
Tolleson is a wonderful place to live because of its close proximity to Phoenix, excellent food, top public schools, and good parks.
Let’s get into what you need to know before moving to Tolleson.
1. People Living in Tolleson, AZ – Population & Demographics
How many people live in Tolleson? Tolleson has seen consistent growth over the years, though there has been a slight 1.76% population decline since 2020.
By relocating to Tolleson, you can meet people from all backgrounds. Today, the Tolleson population is around 7,173. This city has a median age of 33.3 years old.
Tolleson demographics include 9% Caucasian, 81% Hispanic or Latino, 7% African American, and 1% American Indian or Alaskan Native. Tolleson’s gender ratio is 51.8% female and 48.2% male.
The median household income in Tolleson is $47,875 per year. Compared to the United States average of $74,755 per year, Tolleson’s median income is $26,880 lower.
2. Cost of Living in Tolleson, AZ
How much does it cost to live in Tolleson, AZ?
The average cost of living in Tolleson is 13% higher than the US average. It is 6.2% above the Arizona average.
When living in Tolleson, you’ll likely pay higher than average for transportation, utilities, and housing. However, you’ll generally pay lower-than-average prices for groceries and health care.
Typical Tolleson Living Expenses
- Milk (1 Gallon) $2.42
- Hamburger $5.10
- Eggs (1 Dozen) $2.24
- Bread (1 Loaf) $3.86
- Bananas (Bunch) $3.34
- Average Cost of Gasoline (Per Gallon) $3.62
- Average Cost of Utilities (Per Month) 3% higher than US average
3. Tolleson Real Estate | Buying or Selling a Home in Tolleson?
In the Tolleson real estate market, you’ll find a mix of single-family homes, rental apartments, and Section 8 units. Most homes for sale have three or four bedrooms. While you can buy a house, there are also many units available for rent.
The homeownership rate in Tolleson is 54.2%.
Discover some of the best Tolleson, AZ homes for sale.
The average price of a home in Tolleson is $275,000.
In general, the average down payment is between 3% and 20%.
You’ll generally have to pay a median sale price of $218 per square foot.
The Tolleson property tax rate is 0.57%, so the average homeowner has to pay $1,568 in property taxes on a $275,000 home.
If you decide to rent an apartment in the area, Tolleson rent is fairly reasonable. The average price of rent in Tolleson is $1,121 per month, which is $329 less than the Arizona average.
4. Tolleson Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Tolleson
Where should you live in Tolleson? By researching the best Tolleson neighborhoods, you can get a better idea of where you want to live. Here are a few of the most popular options:
- Cashion
- Roosevelt Park
- Coldwater Ridge
- Del Rio Ranch
- Tolsun Farms
Tolleson operates two parks, a community garden, and a community center for residents to enjoy.
Check them out on the Tolleson parks and recreation site.
Additionally, there’s plenty of convenient shopping in Tolleson. You can check out Desert Sky Mall, Tolleson Market, Westgate Outlets, Ross Dress for Less, and Target.
Tolleson is 12.5 miles from Phoenix.
At that distance, the commute from Tolleson to downtown Phoenix takes about 17 minutes each way.
5. Tolleson, AZ Weather & Climate
Tolleson weather includes sweltering hot summers, cool winters, and mostly clear skies. The climate in Tolleson is semiarid, so new residents shouldn’t expect a lot of rain.
The average temperature in Tolleson ranges between highs of 107°F and lows of 85°F in the summer and highs of 65°F and lows of 42°F in the winter.
The city averages 8 to 9 inches of rain per year.
Tolleson gets an average of 0 inches of snow. While this section of Arizona almost never receives snow, residents can always drive a few hours north to enjoy snow in other parts of the state.
Among other outdoor activities, residents can enjoy hiking, go-kart driving, kayaking, and running.
6. Things to Do in Tolleson
For new residents in the area, there are a number of things to do in Tolleson.
Paseo de Luces
Paseo de Luces is a public art collection that includes seven sculptures. Known as one of the major parks and landmarks in the area, it exists in Tolleson’s town square. Each year, it comes to life during public art projects, events, and festivals.
Paseo de Luz, 9055 W. Van Buren Street Tolleson, AZ 85353, (623) 936-7111
Tolleson Veterans Park
If you’re looking for accessible parks and landmarks, head to Tolleson Veterans Park. This park includes two ramadas, an amphitheater, a playground, athletic fields, and plenty of green space.
Tolleson Veterans Park, 8601 W Van Buren St, Tolleson, AZ 85353, (623) 474-4992
Tolleson Museum
For a can’t miss thing to do in Tolleson, head over to Tolleson Museum Display. This display includes local artifacts from over 2,000 years ago. You can spend the day learning about Hohokam Culture and prehistoric life.
Tolleson Museum Display, 9055 W. Van Buren Street Tolleson, AZ 85353, (623) 936-7111
Estrella Mountain Competitive Track
When it comes to finding things to do in Tolleson, there are a few outdoor activities you can try. The Estrella Mountain Track is only a short distance away. It is a fairly difficult trail, but it’s a great spot for mountain biking.
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Estrella Mountain Competitive Track, W South Mountain Ave, Tolleson, AZ 85353, (623) 932-3811
Additional Tolleson Attractions
7. Tolleson Restaurants
Whether you love Mexican cuisine or American food, you can find many top restaurants in Tolleson.
El Camaron Gigante Restaurant
From cocos con mariscos to tostadas, you can find all of your favorite Mexican dishes at El Camaron Gigante Restaurant. Known as one of Tolleson’s top places to eat, this restaurant provides fresh ingredients and an authentic take on Mexican cuisine.
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El Camaron Gigante Restaurant, 8343 W Van Buren St, Tolleson, AZ 85353, (623) 215-8298
New Asian Star
When it comes to the top restaurants in Tolleson for Chinese cuisine, Farmer Boys is the place to go. This restaurant offers all of your favorite Chinese dishes, like chow fun, mu shu, and fried rice.
New Asian Star, 2755 S 99th Ave, Tolleson, AZ 85353, (623) 478-1888
Tacos Calafia
Tacos Calafia first began as a taco truck. Since it started in 2016, it has become one of Tolleson’s top places to eat. For a delicious take on Tijuana taquerias, plan a visit to Tacos Calafia.
Tacos Calafia, 9897 W McDowell Rd #755, Tolleson, AZ 85353, (602) 935-5419
8. Jobs in Tolleson
The average salary in Tolleson is $61,000 per year.
The state income tax rate in Arizona is 2.5%.
Tolleson unemployment rate is 3.6%.
If you’re interested in finding Tolleson jobs when you move, the following employers are some of the best places to work:
- JBS Packerland
- Albertsons
- SK Food Group
- Atlas Retail Services
- Papa John’s Salads and Produce
9. Tolleson Schools
You’ll find around 2,166 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old living in Tolleson. This age group makes up 30% of the population.
Tolleson is an excellent place for families to live, which is why there are so many children living in the area.
Tolleson is served by great school districts, like Tolleson Union High School District and the Tolleson Elementary School District. Some of the top-ranked schools in Tolleson include the following options:
- University High School
- Tolleson Union High School
- Arizona Desert Elementary School
- Sierra Linda High School
- Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School
Tolleson is also close to top colleges and universities:
Students and others will enjoy access to the free Tolleson library.
10. Crime Rate in Tolleson
Is Tolleson a safe place to live? The crime rate in Tolleson is 2% higher than the rest of Arizona and 10% above the national average.
With about 2,548 crimes per 100,000 residents, Tolleson is a safe place to live.
The Tolleson Police Department is a community-based organization that protects locals.
You can check out the Tolleson crime map to learn more.
11. Essential Tolleson Information
- Square Miles: 5.73 square miles
- County: Maricopa County
- Zip Codes: 85037 and 85353
- Area Code: 602
The time zone in Tolleson is Mountain Standard Time. Like the rest of the state, Tolleson doesn’t use Daylight Savings Time.
The elevation in Tolleson is 1,014 feet above sea level.
Map of Tolleson, AZ
Find plenty of other things to do, places to eat, and beyond with this helpful Tolleson map.
Tips for Living in Tolleson
- Tolleson is one of the smallest suburbs near Phoenix, so it has a close-knit community.
- Summers are hot so make sure the car you bring to Arizona has good air conditioning. You should also ensure your future home has a working air conditioning unit.
- Compared to many communities in the area, Tolleson generally has better home prices.
- If you’re looking for more things to do such as nightlife and entertainment, you’ll likely need to go to Phoenix or the surrounding suburbs.
Moving to Tolleson, AZ
There are many reasons to relocate to Tolleson. From easy access to the city to a close-knit community, this area is an ideal place to call home.
If you need a real estate agent to help you find a home in the area, our Tolleson real estate team can help. Contact our partners at SPACE today for more information.
