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Wickenburg, Arizona
Outside of Phoenix in Southern Arizona, Sunny Wickenburg is a Casual "Old West" Town Popular with Retirees
Sixty-five miles northwest of Phoenix in southern Arizona, Wickenburg sits next to the Wickenburg Mountains and started out as a gold mining town in the early-1860s. It is on the edge of the Sonoran Desert and named after an early prospector, Henry Wickenburg, who first found gold here.
Today, Wickenburg is a relaxed, remote place that celebrates its Southwestern heritage with the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, historic mine tours and ghost walking tours. Tourists come to play cowboy at a handful of dude ranches, including the beautiful Rancho de Los Caballeros. The lovely Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, which is nice surprise in a small town, brings in internationally recognized music and dance productions, art exhibits and much more. Buildings that look like they belong on a Western movie set house cute shops and galleries. Dining establishments are primarily cafes and diners that serve up biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak and chili rellenos.
Three golf courses have a Wickenburg address, and the Hassayampa River Preserve, five miles outside of town, has hiking trails. Neighborhoods range from very modest with simple ranch ramblers to upscale with Southwestern, adobe and Territorial home styles.
Wickenburg has about 8,500 people, with 55% of residents age 45 or better. The population has grown 12% during the last decade. Nearly 25% of locals hold a four-year college degree.
The cost of living is 18% above the national average, and the median home price is around $545,000. Real estate prices have remained steady since a year ago.
At an elevation of 2,050 feet, the town experiences hot summers with temperatures in the 90s and low 100s, while winters are milder, ranging from the 40s to 60s, though nights can get chilly. The area receives about 11 inches of rain annually.
Wickenburg Community Hospital provides medical care. Public transit is limited to a bus service connecting to Phoenix. The Wickenburg Public Library has a loyal following. The crime rate is below the national average, and politics lean to the right.
The town sits along the Hassayampa River, which flows mostly underground but occasionally surfaces, and its water supply comes from the Upper Hassayampa Basin Aquifer, which local leaders believe will remain reliable for years to come.
The area around Phoenix, often called the Valley of the Sun, is a vast desert basin surrounded by rugged mountain ranges, offering a mix of urban energy and outdoor adventure. The region includes thriving suburbs like Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, and Glendale, each with its own character, from upscale shopping and golf resorts to family-friendly neighborhoods and historic downtowns.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy hiking Camelback Mountain, exploring desert preserves, and boating on nearby lakes, while the city provides cultural attractions, professional sports, and a diverse dining scene.
Though summers' extreme heat can be challenging, the Phoenix area’s combination of sunshine, amenities, and affordability continues to draw families, professionals, and retirees seeking both opportunity and an active lifestyle.
Arizona is considered tax-friendly for retirement. It also observes Mountain Standard Time on a year-round basis.
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