Scottsdale
Resort Desert Luxury, Golf & Old Town Arts
Why People Move Here
Scottsdale stretches 31 miles from the walkable Old Town Arts District to the McDowell Mountain foothills, where master-planned golf communities like DC Ranch, Grayhawk, Troon, and Desert Mountain define North Scottsdale. The 30,500-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve — the largest urban preserve in the US — wraps the eastern edge, while Camelback Mountain bookends the southwest. Taliesin West (UNESCO World Heritage Site), TPC Scottsdale, and major February events (WM Phoenix Open, Arabian Horse Show, Barrett-Jackson) make it one of the country's best-known resort destinations.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD)
A- Chaparral HS (Niche A, 21:1 ratio)
- Saguaro HS (Niche A, 19:1 ratio)
- Desert Mountain HS (Niche A)
- Arcadia HS (Niche A, shared with Arcadia neighborhood)
Cave Creek Unified School District
B+#28 of Arizona school districts (Niche 2025)
- Serves far north Scottsdale neighborhoods including parts of Desert Mountain and Troon
- Cactus Shadows HS (Niche A-)
FAQ — Scottsdale
What is the median home price in Scottsdale?
As of early 2026, Scottsdale's median home price ranges from $829K (Zillow, Oct 2025) to $965K (Redfin, Mar 2026, +9.7% YoY). The spread reflects sub-market variance: Old Town condos $400K-$1M, South Scottsdale ~$860K, North Scottsdale (85255/85266) $1.2M+, and custom estates in Silverleaf or Desert Mountain $2M-$20M+.
What school districts serve Scottsdale?
Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) serves most of the city and earned the #1 performance among Arizona districts with 10,000+ students on Spring 2025 state assessments in ELA and math. Cave Creek Unified covers far north neighborhoods including parts of Desert Mountain and Troon, and a small western sliver falls in Paradise Valley USD. Verify enrollment eligibility by address — boundaries follow Scottsdale's 31-mile north-south geography.
What is the commute from Scottsdale to downtown Phoenix?
From Old Town Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix is about a 20-minute drive off-peak (30 minutes in rush hour) via AZ-202 Loop or Scottsdale Road. From North Scottsdale (DC Ranch, Grayhawk, Troon), expect 35-45 minutes to downtown Phoenix. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is 15-20 minutes from Old Town and 38-42 minutes from the northern resort corridor.
What are the crime statistics in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale Police Department reported 371 violent crimes in the first 11 months of 2025, down from 500+ in 2021. Group A crimes (violent + major property offenses tracked by the FBI NIBRS) declined 24% YTD 2025 vs. 2024. Scottsdale ranked among the top 15 safest US cities with populations over 100,000 in 2025. Present statistics with source attribution and verify current trends via Scottsdale PD's annual statistics page.
What is public transit like in Scottsdale?
Valley Metro Rail does not operate within Scottsdale city limits (it terminates at Tempe/Mesa). Scottsdale is served by approximately 14 Valley Metro bus routes plus the free City-run Scottsdale Trolley connecting Old Town, Scottsdale Waterfront, Fashion Square, and ASU. North Scottsdale is car-dependent, while Old Town has one of the highest Walk Scores in the Valley at 81/100.
What parks and outdoor recreation are in Scottsdale?
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve spans 30,500+ acres with 180+ miles of trails across 11 trailheads — the largest urban preserve in the United States. Signature hikes include Tom's Thumb, Lost Dog Wash, and Sunrise Peak. Camelback Mountain (2,700 ft) anchors the southwest edge. The 11-mile Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt provides a continuous bike and walking path through central Scottsdale.
What are the property and sales tax rates in Scottsdale?
For FY 2025/26, Scottsdale's proposed property tax is $0.4891 primary + $0.4233 secondary per $100 assessed value (~0.91% combined). The combined sales tax rate is 8.05% (5.6% Arizona + 0.7% Maricopa County + 1.75% Scottsdale city, effective July 1, 2025). Arizona has a flat 2.5% state income tax and does not tax Social Security benefits.
What are the largest employers in Scottsdale?
Major Scottsdale employers include HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic, Axon Enterprise (Scottsdale-headquartered, $50.87B market cap), GoDaddy (global HQ), Vanguard, Services Group of America (~3,600 employees), Galderma, Magellan Health, Troon golf management, and ADP. Technology, healthcare, and financial services are the dominant sectors.
Compare Communities
Other communities in Scottsdale/NE.