Moving to Tolleson, AZ: Tolleson Homes for Sale and Local Guide
Tolleson is a small West Valley city of about six square miles, roughly 10 to 14 miles west of downtown Phoenix just south of the I-10 and Loop 101 interchange. Tolleson homes for sale include older single-family homes near the historic downtown, newer subdivisions in the surrounding 85353 area and a growing number of apartments, in a city built on farming and freight.
I'm Terry Day with DeLex Realty. Tolleson surprises people: it is one of the smallest cities in the Valley by population, but it sits at one of the busiest freeway junctions and has its own police, fire, water and library. Here is my guide, built from City of Tolleson pages, Census data, ADOT and the school districts, written in my own words.
Tolleson at a glance
- Location: West Valley, just south of the I-10 and Loop 101 interchange, between Phoenix and Avondale
- Population: 7,216 in the 2020 Census; 9,353 in the Census July 2024 estimate
- Size: 5.73 square miles of land
- Founded: 1912 by Walter G. and Alethea Tolleson; incorporated 1929
- City services: own police, fire, water, sewer and trash
- Schools: Tolleson Elementary, Union Elementary and other K-8 districts, plus Tolleson Union High School District
See Tolleson homes for sale Call Terry: 602-483-4665
Where Tolleson is
Tolleson sits in Maricopa County between Phoenix to the east and Avondale to the west. The city's economic development page places it about 10 miles west of downtown Phoenix and about 20 minutes from both Phoenix Sky Harbor and Phoenix-Goodyear airports; the Arizona Commerce Authority profile says about 14 miles from Phoenix, so plan on the 10 to 14 mile range depending on where you are headed. Interstate 10 runs along the north side of town, Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) meets I-10 at 97th Avenue, and the Union Pacific main line crosses the city.
A short history
The Tolleson family came to Arizona from South Carolina in 1908, and in 1910 they bought a 160-acre ranch near 91st Avenue and Van Buren Street, according to the city's history page. Walter G. and Alethea H. Tolleson founded the town in 1912. To sell lots, he ran a chartered train out from Phoenix with free lunch and gold-piece giveaways, and 80 lots sold that day. Tolleson incorporated in 1929. Farming came back strong in the 1940s, and by the 1950s the town called itself the "Vegetable Center of the World" for its produce packing sheds, which declined in the early 1960s. The city keeps an online museum of its photos and records.
Neighborhoods and homes
Inside the city you'll find older single-family homes on the grid streets around Van Buren Street and the civic center, and newer homes and apartments toward 99th Avenue and McDowell Road. Tolleson's city manager told KJZZ in 2025 that recent growth has come mostly from apartments near 99th Avenue and on McDowell Road, which helped make Tolleson the fastest-growing city in Arizona from 2023 to 2024 in Census estimates.
One thing to know before you search: the Tolleson ZIP code, 85353, reaches well beyond the city limits. Listings and builder sites often call a home "Tolleson" when it is actually in Avondale or Phoenix. Verde Trails near 107th Avenue and Broadway Road, for example, is marketed with a Tolleson address, but West Valley View reported in 2025 that it is in the City of Avondale. City limits matter for taxes, utilities, police and fire and city rules, so I check every parcel on county records. For new homes in the area, see my Tolleson new construction page, and for nearby options, my Avondale and Laveen guides and the Garden Lakes and Alamar community pages.
Things to do
- Veterans Park (8601 W. Van Buren St.): lighted Little League and multipurpose fields, an amphitheater, playground and ramadas. It hosts the city's biggest events.
- McNeel Park (800 N. 95th Ave.): basketball court, playground, grills and an open field.
- Tolleson Aquatic Center: under construction as of the city's September 2026 update, with a planned slide tower, recreation and competition pools and a children's play area. The old city pool is closed.
- Tolleson Public Library (civic center, 9055 W. Van Buren St.): a maker lab, a Library of Things, passport services, an art gallery and laptop and hotspot lending.
- Events: Whoopee Daze, the city's Founders Day festival for more than 60 years, filled Veterans Park April 10 to 12, 2026 with a parade, carnival, concerts and a 5K. The city also holds an Independence Day celebration with fireworks, Third Fridays, movie nights, Luces de Navidad and a tree lighting.
Schools
Several districts serve Tolleson addresses. The Tolleson Elementary School District (preschool through 8th grade) has its office in the city, with Arizona Desert Elementary and Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary in Tolleson. The Union Elementary School District runs K-8 schools with Tolleson mailing addresses, including Dos Rios, Hurley Ranch and Union Elementary. Parts of the area are served by Littleton and Fowler elementary districts. For high school, the Tolleson Union High School District is based in the city, and Tolleson Union High School and University High School share a campus on Van Buren Street. School assignment depends on the exact address, so confirm with the district. Area pages: Hurley Ranch | Union Elementary | Littleton Elementary.
Getting around
Most people here drive. ADOT began a Loop 101 and I-10 interchange project in May 2026, expected to take about three years, with a new HOV bridge between the freeways and a new ramp from southbound Loop 101 to eastbound I-10 with access to 91st Avenue, so expect work zones near the city. There is no light rail in Tolleson. Valley Metro's on-demand ZOOM service ended in October 2022, and the city now runs a Micro Transit program that subsidizes Uber and Lyft rides that start or end in town and can connect to the 79th Avenue Park and Ride.
Jobs and shopping
Tolleson calls itself a distribution hub, thanks to I-10, Loop 101 and the railroad. The city names employers such as PepsiCo, Sunland Beef, Kroger, Albertsons, Home Depot, Staples and Sysco, and its latest annual financial report says the daytime population tops 25,000. Health care is close by: Banner Estrella Medical Center is on Thomas Road in west Phoenix.
City services
The City of Tolleson runs water and sewer, with its own wastewater treatment plant, and collects trash weekly. SRP provides irrigation water. Tolleson has its own police department on Van Buren Street and its own fire department on 92nd Avenue. Confirm electric and gas providers for the specific home.
Buying and selling in Tolleson
Buyers: confirm city limits, HOA rules and school assignment, and look at what is planned nearby, since warehouses and apartments are still being built. Many West Valley homes may have an assumable FHA or VA loan; see my assumable mortgage page and first steps for buying in Arizona. Sellers: price against sales on your side of the city line and your home's era, and read how to price your Arizona home to sell. You can also browse DeLex Realty listings in Tolleson or all Tolleson homes for sale.
Questions buyers ask
Is every 85353 home inside Tolleson?
No. The 85353 ZIP code covers parts of Avondale and Phoenix too, so a home with a Tolleson mailing address may be outside the city. I check county parcel records for every home.
Is there light rail or local transit in Tolleson?
There is no light rail. The city's Micro Transit program subsidizes rideshare trips that start or end in Tolleson, and it can connect riders to the 79th Avenue Park and Ride.
Does Tolleson have its own police and fire departments?
Yes. The Tolleson Police Department and Tolleson Fire Department are both city departments.
Is there a public pool in Tolleson?
Not right now; a new Tolleson Aquatic Center is under construction and the old pool is closed. Check the city's site for an opening date.
Homes by School in Tolleson
Searching by school? Start with these high school area pages:
See more on my homes by school page.
Tolleson: questions people ask
What is the sales tax rate in Tolleson, AZ?
The combined rate on most retail purchases in Tolleson is 8.8%. That is the Arizona state rate of 5.6%, plus 0.7% for Maricopa County, plus Tolleson's city rate of 2.5%. For more on everyday costs around the Valley, see our Phoenix cost of living guide.
What school districts serve Tolleson?
Tolleson is served by the Tolleson Union High School District for high school and by the Tolleson Elementary School District for many elementary addresses. Tolleson Elementary schools include Arizona Desert, Desert Oasis, Porfirio H. Gonzales and Sheely Farms. Boundaries vary by address, so confirm boundaries with the district, or browse homes by school.
Who provides water and trash service in Tolleson?
The City of Tolleson provides residential water, sewer and sanitation (trash) service. You set up service through the city's Finance Department with a Residential Utility Application at the Tolleson Civic Center on W. Van Buren Street.
When was Tolleson founded, and how big is it?
Tolleson was founded in 1912 by Walter G. and Alethea H. Tolleson and incorporated as a city in 1929. It covers about 6 square miles. In the 1950s it was known as the "Vegetable Center of the World" for its farming and produce packing history.
What freeways are near Tolleson?
Tolleson sits right on Interstate 10, and the Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway connects with I-10 nearby. The Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway meets I-10 at 59th Avenue, a short drive east. That highway and rail access helped Tolleson grow into a West Valley distribution and industrial employment center. Neighbors to the west include Avondale and Goodyear.
Comparing cities? See all of my Greater Phoenix city guides. Want to see what's happening in the market? Check my market reports, read the blog, or learn more about me. Ready to talk? Call Terry Day at 602-483-4665.
Browse current homes for sale listed by DeLex Realty agents.
Moving to Tolleson?Call
Terry Day at DeLex Realty to tour homes, check city limits or price your home at
602-483-4665.
Details come from the City of Tolleson, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Arizona Commerce Authority, ADOT, school districts and news reports and can change. Verify city limits, school assignment, utilities and property details for a specific home before you buy.
