Moving to Youngtown, AZ: Youngtown Homes for Sale and Local Guide

Youngtown is a small northwest Valley town of about 1.5 square miles on the east bank of the Agua Fria River, between Grand Avenue on the north and Olive Avenue on the south, next to Sun City and El Mirage. Youngtown homes for sale range from 1950s and 1960s single-story homes to newer homes in Agua Fria Ranch.

I'm Terry Day with DeLex Realty. Youngtown is one of the most interesting little towns in the Valley: it started as a retirement town, dropped its age rule in the late 1990s, and today it is an everyday small town with a lake park in the middle. Here is what I checked with the Town of Youngtown, Maricopa County and local news, written in my own words.

See Youngtown homes for sale Call Terry: 602-483-4665

Where Youngtown is

Youngtown sits in Maricopa County about 18 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. The Town describes itself as the area between Grand Avenue on the north and Olive Avenue on the south, about 30 minutes from downtown, with Loop 101 and Loop 303 both nearby. The Agua Fria River runs along its west side, El Mirage is across the river, Sun City is to the east and Glendale is to the south. At roughly a mile and a half square, it is one of the smallest incorporated towns in the Phoenix area, so most errands are a few minutes away.

A short history

Youngtown began in 1954, when Ben Schleifer led a plan to build a town for retirees on a 320-acre ranch owned by Frances Greer. The first 125 homes went up in 1955, and the town drew national attention a few years later. It is widely cited as the country's first planned retirement community, and it came before Del Webb opened Sun City next door in 1960. Youngtown incorporated that same year.

For decades the town had a rule limiting who could live there by age. In the late 1990s (1998, according to the Town) that rule ended after the Arizona Attorney General found the ordinance could not be enforced. Today Youngtown has no age restriction, and its population has grown a lot since 2000.

Neighborhoods and types of homes

Youngtown homes fall into a few groups:

• The original town: modest single-story homes from the mid-1950s onward on the streets around Clubhouse Square and Maricopa Lake. Many have been updated over the years.
• Agua Fria Ranch: the planned community that, according to Arizona Commerce Authority data, drove much of the town's growth in the 2000s. It is in the south part of town near Olive Avenue, where David C. Uribe Park sits at Olive Avenue and Agua Fria Ranch Parkway.
• New infill: small new-home projects still appear. In 2025 local news reported a 28-home neighborhood, Seasons of Olive, going in north of Olive Avenue near El Mirage Road.

If you like the look of the older homes but want a 55+ community, the neighboring Sun City and Sun City West are next door. You can also read my retirement living page.

Things to do

The Town lists eight parks. The centerpiece is Maricopa Lake Park at Connecticut Avenue and 114th Avenue, a small lake where fishing follows Arizona Game and Fish rules, with the Caliche Cactus Garden beside it. Other parks include Greer Park, Schleifer Park, Memorial Park, David C. Uribe Park, Janice Beck Park of Remembrance and the Citizens' Dog Park. The Youngtown Public Library is at 12035 Clubhouse Square, next to Town Hall, and it also houses a small historical museum about the town's beginnings.

Spring training, golf in Sun City and the shops and stadiums around Westgate in Glendale are all a short drive away.

Schools

Youngtown is served by Peoria Unified School District and Dysart Unified School District, depending on the address. Always confirm the school assignment for a specific home with the district. My school pages are listed below.

Getting around and town services

• Roads: Grand Avenue (US-60) runs along the north edge, Olive Avenue along the south, and Loop 101 and Loop 303 are both close.
• Transit: the Town is a Valley Metro member, and local bus service runs nearby. Check Valley Metro's maps for current routes.
• Water: EPCOR provides water; the Town does not own a water utility.
• Fire and medical: the Sun City Fire and Medical Department serves Youngtown.
• Police: the Town does not list its own police department, so ask me or the Town about current law enforcement coverage.

Jobs and shopping

Most shopping and services are along Grand Avenue, around the Clubhouse Square town center and along Olive Avenue. Health care is a big local employer, and Banner Boswell Medical Center is close by in Sun City. Larger shopping is a short drive away in Glendale, Peoria and Surprise.

Buying and selling in Youngtown

When you buy an older Youngtown home, look closely at the roof, plumbing, electrical panel and AC age, since many homes date back decades. Check whether a home is in a neighborhood with an HOA, like newer subdivisions often are, or in the original town. Start with my first steps for buying in Arizona, and ask me about assumable mortgages if a home has one. Selling? Read how I price an Arizona home to sell. You can also browse all Youngtown listings.

Questions buyers ask

Is Youngtown still a 55+ community?

No. Youngtown started as a retirement town but its age restriction ended in the late 1990s, and today homes there are open to buyers of any age.

How big is Youngtown?

It is small, about 1.5 square miles, with 7,056 people in the 2020 Census.

Who provides water in Youngtown?

EPCOR provides water service in Youngtown, according to the Town's public works page.

Is there anywhere to fish in Youngtown?

Yes. Maricopa Lake Park, at Connecticut Avenue and 114th Avenue, has a small lake for fishing under Arizona Game and Fish rules.

Homes by School in Youngtown

Searching by school? See my homes by school page for high school and school district searches across the Valley.

Youngtown: questions people ask

Is Youngtown still a 55+ retirement community?
No, Youngtown dropped its age restriction in 1998 after the Arizona Attorney General found the town could not bar permanent residents under 18. Homes in Youngtown are now open to buyers of any age. If you are looking for an age-restricted community nearby, see my Sun City guide and Sun City West guide.

When was Youngtown founded?
Youngtown was founded in 1954 and incorporated as a town in 1960, and the town describes itself as the original retirement community in Arizona. That history is why many of its homes are smaller, established houses rather than new construction.

What is the sales tax in Youngtown?
The total sales tax on most retail purchases in Youngtown is 9.3%, which includes the town's 3% rate. The town rate has been 3% since August 1, 2007, according to the Arizona Department of Revenue.

What school district serves Youngtown?
Youngtown is served by the Peoria Unified School District. School assignments can change, so confirm boundaries with the district for any specific address. You can also browse my homes by school page.

Who provides water in Youngtown?
EPCOR provides water service in Youngtown through its Sun City water district, which also serves neighboring Sun City. Ask for the account details when you buy so the service can be moved into your name on closing day.

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.

Details come from the Town of Youngtown, Maricopa County, the Arizona Commerce Authority, local news and MLS listing data, and can change. Verify school assignment, HOA rules, utilities and flood zone for a specific home before you buy.