Buckeye is a city located in Maricopa County, Arizona, approximately 30 miles west of downtown Phoenix. With its affordable housing, growing job market, and family-friendly amenities, Buckeye has become an increasingly popular destination for families and individuals looking to establish roots in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
Economically, Buckeye has seen steady growth over the past couple of decades. Once a small, agricultural town, the city has attracted several major employers in recent years, notably in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. The median household income in Buckeye is approximately $65,000, above the national median, providing residents with relatively good wages and comfortable living. Major corporations with large operations in Buckeye include Amazon, Niagara Bottling, Kroger, and UPS.
The growth in jobs has led to rapid residential and commercial development. New housing communities with amenities like pools, parks, and recreation centers cater to young families. Retail outlets and chain restaurants have moved in to serve the surging population, which has jumped from approximately 6,000 residents in 2000 to nearly 80,000 residents today.
Buckeye places a strong emphasis on education with its public school system. It has an early college high school where students can earn college credits and an aviation academy that allows participants to earn a pilot’s license upon graduation. The city passed a bond initiative in 2016 to fund major improvements to school facilities. Buckeye schools have received good marks for their dropout prevention programs and career-oriented curriculums.
For entertainment and recreation, Buckeye has community centers, public parks, movie theaters, and easy access to a variety of outdoor activities. The city’s main entertainment draw is the 10,000-seat Ak-Chin Pavilion concert venue which attracts major touring acts during the spring and summer months. Other attractions include Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, Whirlyball entertainment center, and the 65-acre Buckeye Family Aquatic Center. The city provides recreational programming for youth, adults, and senior citizens.
Young families can take advantage of Buckeye’s family-friendly amenities such as splash pads, skate parks, baseball fields, and dozens of neighborhood parks. There are plenty of kid-approved eateries like Peter Piper Pizza, Chuck E. Cheese’s, and UltraStar Multi-tainment Center. When parents want a night out, trusted babysitting services through Care.com and SitterCity are available.
With its comfortable suburban feel, affordable cost of living, and growing array of amenities, Buckeye offers an appealing lifestyle for anyone looking to put down roots in metro Phoenix. The community retains a small-town charm while providing residents access to big city jobs and activities. For both families and individuals seeking to relocate to the Valley of the Sun, Buckeye is a city on the rise.
