Jesse Lovan

Moving to Gold Canyon AZ [2023] | 🏅 What is it Like Living in Gold Canyon

1 Shares

Gold Canyon is located in Pinal County and is a census-designated place. This beautiful community is keen on and known for outdoor adventures: hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, art events, and golfing. It’s a desert wonderland with plenty of places to explore and ways to spend time in the great outdoors.

What started in 1974 as a place with no water, telephone wiring, or homes, Harold Christ set out to create a place to call home without jeopardizing the rustic feel surrounding him.

Fast forward to this day, it provides the modern-day necessities while maintaining the desert environment. Some of the nearby cities include Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa.

Table of Contents

Gold Canyon Population & Demographics

The population of Gold Canyon, AZ, is 11,404. Each year, this community is increasing, and between 2018-and 2019, the population grew by 5.2% due to it being an upscale area. Even though the average age is 65 years old, this area is still perfect for families and retirees.

There is a pretty even breakdown between genders: 52.4% of the residents are females, which means 47.6% are men. The median household income is $75,518.

Here is a breakdown of the demographics in Gold Canyon:

89% White
1.4% African American
0.6% Native American
6% Hispanic
3% Biracial

Gold Canyon, AZ, is a breathtaking and gorgeous place to call home. Besides the incredible views from your window, it’s also one of the safest neighborhoods and is well below the national crime rate. When you live here, you can rest assured knowing that the property and violent crimes rates are well below both the state of Arizona and the United States rates.

Due to the nature of the size of this town, there is not a designated police department, but the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department helps protect the residents and surrounding land with the 23 full-time sheriffs on patrol.

Cost of Living in Gold Canyon

Gold Canyon is an expensive place to live and is 11% over the national average for the cost of living.

How expensive is it to live in Gold Canyon, AZ? Based on the nearest city on Numbeo, Gilbert, here is an outline of some of the most common everyday expenses:

Gold Canyon AZ Everyday Expenses:

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant $12.50
Wine (Mid-Range) $12.99
Milk (regular, 1 gallon) $2.72
Bread (1 loaf) $2.70
Oranges (1 lb) $1.06
Apples (1 lb) $2.10
Eggs (regular, 12) $2.45
Average Cost of Utilities (per month) $126.91
Average Cost of Gasoline per gallon $3.95
Fitness Club (1 Month per Adult) $25.00

If you have a family of four, the Economic Policy Institute recommends you make around $90,000 per year to live comfortably in Pinal County, AZ.

The median home listing price in Gold Canyon is $530,000. While there isn’t an option to rent an apartment in this city, there are homes available for rent, the average apartment rent in Gold Canyon is between $1,750 and $4,000 per month, depending on the size. If this is out of your price range, consider getting some roommates to help lower your monthly rent costs.

Gold Canyon Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Gold Canyon

There are plenty of incredible neighborhoods to call home in Gold Canyon, but here are some of the best places to consider:

Queen Valley
Montesa (Retirement Community)
Pasion en la Colina Del Cascabel

If you need to travel into town, the closest one will be Gilbert which is 24 miles away. To get directions, click here.

Buying a house is always an exciting moment. Check out some of these desert beauties to see what’s available.

Gold Canyon Weather & Climate

Due to being in the desert, the climate here can change dramatically. The summers are brutal. You can expect the days to be dry and sweltering while often making it well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Then the winter can be cold and rainy, but don’t get your hopes up. Even though it’s more likely to rain in the winter, Gold Canyon averages only 13 inches per year, compared to the United States median rainfall of 38 inches.

Make sure to wear sunscreen year-round, carry a water bottle, and bring a spare jacket to put on during the night, just in case.

Things to Do in Gold Canyon

Outdoor activities are a large part of this community. If you like hiking, mountain biking, or anything out in the fresh air, this place is for you!

Peralta Trailhead

You will see gorgeous views ranging from peaks, canyons, and even rock formations. The entire trail is a round trip of 12.4 miles. Dogs are allowed, but this trail requires a skill level that can handle the moderate-strenuous type of hikes.

Peralta Rd, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 610-3300

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelly Grace (@kells.mcgovern)

Dinosaur Mountain Golf Course

Do you have a love for golf? Besides hiking, hitting the golf courses is one of the best ways to unwind from a busy day. Rather than having one signature hole, Dinosaur Mountain Sidewinder has 10, and it’s one of the most popular golf courses in Arizona.

6100 S Kings Ranch Rd, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 982-9449

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gold Canyon Golf Resort & Spa (@goldcanyongolfresort)

Additional Places To Visit In Gold Canyon

Gold Canyon Restaurants

“Food glorious food…” restaurants are an essential part of any community, and there are plenty of options. Here are some of the best restaurants to try!

Gold Stallion Restaurant

Gold Stallion focuses on quality and fine dining. With 20 years of experience, they work hard to provide their customers with a one-of-a-kind service. Whether you hire them for a private event like a wedding or business party or come to dine in person at the restaurant, you will not be disappointed.

6030 S Kings Ranch Rd, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 935-1998

Wahoo’s Restaurant & Bar

Wahoo! It’s time to head to Wahoo’s Restaurant and Bar. With its fresh ingredients, entertainment, specials, and caring environment, this place is much more than a business. Stop by and join the family today!

8654 E Topaz Dr, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, (480) 983-3333

Additional Restaurants In Gold Canyon

Jobs in Gold Canyon

If you’re considering the move to Gold Canyon, AZ, you should know that there aren’t as many employers in this town since there are a lot of retirees, but there are more job opportunities in nearby cities like Gilbert.

City of Mesa
Gold Canyon Dentistry
The UPS Store
Stripes Primary Care

The average hourly rate based on the information from Gilbert, AZ, is $18.89 per hour.

Gold Canyon Schools

The schools are a part of the Apache Junction Unified School District in AZ. All of the schools offer an outstanding education for all grades.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Apache Junction High School (@ajhsprospectors)

If you’re interested in attending colleges, then make sure to check out some of the best nearby campuses: Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Arizona Christian University, and Mesa Community College.

The closest public library to Gold Canyon will be located in Apache Junction, AZ, which is 9 miles away.

Gold Canyon Statistics & Information

Square Miles: 28.67
County: Pinal
Zip Codes: 85118 and 85119
Area Code: (480)
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time
The Closest Airport: Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is 21 miles away from Gold Canyon
Elevation: 1,982 feet about sea level

Map of Gold Canyon

To find even more great places to explore, eat, or go to in Gold Canyon, check out this Google Map!

Pros & Cons of Living in Gold Canyon

Pro: Plenty of places to explore and hike
Pro: Delicious food
Pro: Family-friendly and a safe community
Con: There aren’t as many jobs in Gold Canyon, but there are plenty in nearby cities like Gilbert or Chandler
Con: Incredibly hot during the summer