Buckeye, AZ
What Buckeye is actually like
Buckeye traces to 1877, when Thomas Newt Clanton led settlers from Iowa into the area, followed by Malin M. Jackson's construction of an irrigation canal between 1884 and 1886. Jackson named the waterway — and eventually the town — after Ohio's nickname, "the Buckeye State." The settlement, first called Sidney, legally adopted the Buckeye name in 1910 and incorporated as a town in 1929 on just 440 acres. For most of the twentieth century it stayed a small farming community built around cotton and alfalfa. Buckeye converted from a town to a city on January 1, 2014, just as large-scale residential development began transforming its farmland.
Buckeye is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with population climbing from about 91,500 at the 2020 census to roughly 114,000 by 2024. New master-planned subdivisions stretch across former farmland along the I-10 corridor, mixing entry-level and move-up single-family homes with a fast-expanding retail base. It draws young families and first-time buyers priced out of closer-in suburbs. Skyline Regional Park's nearly 8,700 acres and 20 miles of trails, plus Buckeye Hills Regional Park, anchor its outdoor recreation. Historic downtown Buckeye along Monroe Avenue still holds a small-town core amid the growth.
Home values in Buckeye
Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) put the typical home value in Buckeye at $394,709 as of July 2026, down 1.6% year-over-year.
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Explore Specialty Resources →Getting around
No light rail. Valley Metro runs a rural bus line connecting Phoenix, Goodyear, Buckeye, Gila Bend, and Ajo, plus an express commuter route to downtown Phoenix; the area is otherwise car-dependent.
Neighborhood FAQ
How fast is Buckeye growing?
Population rose from about 91,500 at the 2020 census to roughly 114,000 by 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the US.
What's the median home price in Buckeye?
About $395,000 as of July 2026 per Zillow, down about 1.6% from a year earlier.
Is there public transit in Buckeye?
Valley Metro runs a rural bus line connecting Phoenix, Goodyear, Buckeye, Gila Bend, and Ajo, plus an express commuter route to downtown Phoenix; most residents still rely on cars.
Where did the name Buckeye come from?
Settler Malin Jackson, who built the area's irrigation canal in the 1880s, named it for Ohio's "Buckeye State" nickname; the name became official in 1910.
Nearby alternatives*
Goodyear
About 8 miles west via I-10, typically 12-15 minutes. Redfin puts Goodyear's median sale price at $478,755, above Buckeye's $394,709. Goodyear is also served by Valley Metro bus routes rather than rail.
Surprise
About 14 miles south via Loop 303, typically 18-20 minutes. Redfin puts Surprise's median sale price at $427,786, above Buckeye's $394,709. Surprise is also served by Valley Metro bus routes rather than rail.
Litchfield Park
About 10 miles east via I-10, typically 15-18 minutes. Zillow puts Litchfield Park's typical home value at $519,678, well above Buckeye's $394,709. Litchfield Park is more car-dependent, with little to no fixed-route transit.
*We're not ranking these — every neighborhood has real trade-offs, and which ones matter is up to you.