If you’ve been thinking about moving to New River, you’re probably wondering if it’s a good place to live. You’ll find it has plenty of open space and a quiet, rural feel, yet it’s only 35 miles north of Phoenix and all the amenities of a big city. New River is an unincorporated community founded by Lord Darrell Duppa in 1868 as a stopping place for stagecoaches. Even though Maricopa County was named the fastest-growing county in the United States for the third year running in 2019, New River remains a small town and a place where you can get away from the big city. New River is a nice place to live. Here’s what you can look forward to while living in New River!
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Where is New River, Arizona?
New River is in Maricopa County and is a part of the Phoenix metro area. New River is located 36.6 miles north of Downtown Phoenix. It is a suburb of Phoenix. The commute is about 40 minutes south on Interstate 17. There is no public transportation in New River. Towns close to New River include Wranglers Roost to the east, Anthem to the south, and Gillette to the north.
New River Population & Demographics
The New River population is 17,290 per the 2020 Census, which is about a 15% increase from 2010.
New River is not a diverse community. New River demographics are 91% white, 8.3% Hispanic or Latino, 3.4% two or more races, 2.3% Asian, and 1% Black or African American.
Additional New River demographics:
- Population density: 308.16/sq mi
- Median age: 53.1
- Sex ratio: 51.4 females to 48.6 males over 18
- Median household income: $110,257
- Educational attainment: 95.3% high school grad or higher, 34.9% bachelor’s degree or higher (adults 25 and older)
- Foreign-born population: 4.5%
New River is a very safe place to live, with a crime rate 36% below the national average. About 648 crimes are committed per 100,000 people. New River is served by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office – District 4, which has its headquarters in Cave Creek. With about 3,500 employees, The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is one of the largest in the country and District 4 has 43 sworn officers.
New River Cost of Living – Is New River, AZ Expensive
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You might be wondering whether or not living in New River is affordable. It is fairly expensive to live in New River. The overall cost of living index for New River is 112, which is 12% higher than the national average. The cost of living index for Arizona is 101, virtually equal to the national average. Housing in New River, however, is 49% above the national average, and utilities are 33% higher. Although buying a home and paying for utilities is expensive in New River, the good news is that the cost of goods and services, groceries, healthcare, and transportation are all below the national average.
Typical New River Living Expenses
- A gallon of milk: $3.19
- Loaf of white bread: $2.83
- One dozen eggs: $3.59
- 1 lb chicken: $4.54
- Bunch of bananas: $0.64
- Average New River utilities cost per month: $209.47
- Monthly phone bill: $181.87
Source: Numbeo
Currently, the New River housing market is not very competitive. Homes in New River receive an average of 1 offer and sell in around 80 days. The New River median home price is $658,000, which is down 2.8% compared to last year. Homes in New River usually sell for about 2% less than the listing price, so keep that in mind when you’re making an offer on a New River AZ home for sale. Rental prices are around $1,655 a month and are dependent on things like amenities or the number of bedrooms.
Best Neighborhoods in New River
New River is a small community, but it does have very nice neighborhoods for you to choose from. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in New River.
The Foothills at Arroyo | New Construction Perfect For Commuters
The Foothills at Arroyo Norte is a master-planned community where you’ll find new, single-family homes with stunning mountain views and nearby parks. Homes range from 2,455 to 3,216 sq. ft with options for RV garages, 4-5 car garage options, and optional casitas and suites. The Foothills of Arroyo Norte is right off Interstate 17, making your commute to Phoenix quick and easy. Anthem Outlets is only 5 minutes away for all your shopping and dining needs. In just 30 minutes, you can be at Lake Pleasant, where you can enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, and much more. Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club is located a few miles east. Home prices in the Foothills of Arroyo Norte start at $734,900.
Circle Mountain Ranch | Affordable Homes In New River
Circle Mountain Ranch features midsize homes that are very reasonably priced. The homes are still new, built between 2017 and 2020. The homes range in size from 1,799 to 3,842 sq. ft. to fit your family and your budget. The median sale price for a home at Circle Mountain Ranch is $477,900. Nearby schools are New River Elementary and Boulder Creek High School. The commute to Phoenix is about 38 minutes. Anthem Outlets is close by for shopping. Anthem Community Park and Ironwood Country Club are both just a few miles away.
Sabrosa | Mix of Older and Newer Homes
The first homes were built in Sabrosa back in 1973, and development has continued over the years. The homes are mostly mid-size and are competitively priced with striking mountain views. The median price of a home in Sabrosa is $637,500 or $334 per sq. ft. Home sizes range from 1624 to 4032 sq. ft. Many homes in Sabrosa have large lots, fireplaces, covered front porches, and more. Sabrosa is located near the Tonto National Forest & State Land, where you can explore for hours. Sabrosa is about a 59-minute commute to Phoenix.
New River Weather & Climate
If you like hot weather, New River summers are for you. The New River climate is tropical and subtropical desert. The summers are very hot and dry, although the winters are cold. The best time of year to visit New River is early June to late September if you want to take advantage of the hot-weather activities. July is the warmest month on average, with an average high of 101°F and a low of 78°F. The coolest month in New River, on average, is December, where the average low is 42°F, and the high is 63°F. The average amount of precipitation for the year is only 8.0″, well below the national average of 30.21”.
Things to Do in New River
New River offers a convenient shopping store called Minute Mart. However, if you’re looking for more shopping nearby, check out the Anthem Outlets. Here are some of the best things to do in New River.
New River Off Road ATV Rentals Phoenix
With the New River mountains, there is plenty of wildlife viewing available with an ATV rental! This is one of the best activities for kids near New River. With multiple styles of ATVs, you and your family can explore the best there is to see in town.
46202 N Black Canyon Hwy, New River, AZ 85087, (623) 465-7992
New River Nature Preserve
The Sonoran Preserve features three trails: Apache Wash Trailhead, Desert Hills Trailhead, and Desert Vista Trailhead, which offer 36 miles of hiking trails and green space. The preserve spans over 9,600 acres. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic day hike.
Black Canyon Fwy, New River, AZ 85087
New River Kiwanis Park
This arena park always has something going on! Between hosting meetings for the Saddle Club, entertaining holiday events like Santa’s Village, and rodeos, you never know what you’ll find here.
48606 N 17th Ave, New River, AZ 85087, (623) 465-0229
Additional Attractions in New River
If you’re looking for more to do in New River, there are several parks nearby with plenty of trails for hiking and biking, with lakes and playgrounds.
New River Restaurants
Need a bite to eat? Check out the top-rated restaurants in New River!
Glossy Heifer Grill
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At Glossy Heifer, you can enjoy casual American cuisine with fresh local fare and exceptional service. Come on the weekends for live music.
Glossy Heifer Grill, 46202 N Black Canyon Hwy New River, AZ 85087, (623) 465-4854
El Pizzeria Sports Bar & Grill
This family-owned restaurant offers a range of specialty pizzas in a family-friendly atmosphere. Try the calzones or the wings too! El Pizzeria has a full bar and happy hour as well.
El Pizzeria Sports Bar & Grill, 46639 N Black Canyon Hwy, New River, AZ 85087, (623) 465-1020
Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon
The Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon is a mix of great food and entertainment. Come for a country breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Besides delicious food, they have bull riding and live music for your enjoyment.
Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon, 47801 N Black Canyon Hwy, New River, AZ 85087, (623) 465-9903
Jobs in New River
The average salary in New River is $$96,187 per year. The median household income grew 12.8% from $85,294 in 2019 to $96,187 in 2020. The largest industries in New River are management and sales. Check out Indeed for available jobs in New River.
Schools in New River
New River is part of the Deer Valley Unified School District. New River Elementary, Sunset Ridge Middle, and Boulder Creek High School are zoned for New River. Paradise Valley Community College is a short drive from New River. Arizona State University is about 44 miles away in Phoenix. The nearest public library is North Valley Regional Library, located in Anthem.
New River Statistics & Information
- County: Maricopa
- New River Area: 56.12 sq mi
- New River Zip Code: 85087
- New River Area Code: 623
- New River Elevation: 2,014 ft
- New River Time Zone: UTC-7 (MST)
- Closest airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), 34 miles away
New River, AZ Map
Explore more things to do, restaurants, and amenities with this map of New River.
If New River sounds like the perfect place for you, call Mentors Moving today at 480-376-1009 for a free moving estimate and let our expert New River, AZ movers take care of your move!
