The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 85321 sells for about $135,000, or $145 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.8% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 88 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $950 a month.
ZIP 85321
The housing market in 85321 remains stable with low inventory and modest price appreciation. Market activity is driven by local demand and seasonal residents, with limited new construction keeping supply tight. Prices remain highly affordable compared to the broader Arizona market, though long-term growth is constrained by the remote geography.
This ZIP is best suited for retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking affordable, remote desert living, rather than traditional commuters or families requiring proximity to urban amenities.
Median prices moved up 3.8% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 88 days on market with 15.2 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 6.8% · poverty 15.2% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 85321, Pima County AZ
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Ajo are generally low, though property crime remains the primary concern in this remote desert community compared to larger urban centers in Pima County.
The area is served by the Ajo Unified School District, which provides essential K-12 education for the local population in a rural setting.
The region faces significant heat-related risks and is prone to flash flooding during monsoon seasons; property insurance premiums are influenced by these environmental factors.
Economic momentum is largely tied to mining operations and tourism related to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, with limited new large-scale infrastructure development.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Arizona) — Senior Property Valuation Protection Option (Senior Freeze): Provides a 'freeze' on the valuation of the property for tax purposes, limiting the growth of the property tax burden for eligible seniors. State (Arizona) — Arizona Property Tax Assessment: The tax is calculated by applying an assessment ratio to the property's Limited Property Value (LPV). For primary residential property (Class 3), the assessment ratio is 10%. State (Arizona) — Arizona Property Tax Assessment: Property tax is calculated using the formula: (Full Cash Value or Limited Property Value) x Assessment Ratio = Net Assessed Value. The Net Assessed Value is then multiplied by the local tax rate. For primary residential property (Class 3), the assessment ratio is 10%. State (Arizona) — Delinquent Property Tax Lien Sale and 3-Year Redemption Foreclosure: The county treasurer sells a tax lien certificate via public auction to the investor bidding the lowest annual rate of interest (ranging from 16% down to 0% per annum under A.R.S. § 42-18114). State (Arizona) — Statutory Residential Homestead Exemption: Exempts up to $400,000 of equity in an owner-occupied primary dwelling from attachment, execution, and forced sale arising from unsecured civil judgment liens.
Commuting is primarily via State Route 85, with residents facing long drive times to reach major employment hubs in the Phoenix or Tucson metropolitan areas.
The area is a gateway to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and offers extensive outdoor recreation including hiking, desert exploration, and stargazing.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and high demand from seasonal workers and retirees, with few multi-family developments.
The local economy is anchored by mining, government services, and tourism, with a heavy reliance on the nearby national monument and regional transit corridors.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with State Route 85 serving as the primary artery connecting the area to the I-8 and I-10 corridors.
Development is largely restricted by federal land ownership surrounding the town, limiting the pipeline for large-scale residential or commercial projects.
The Pima County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a standard mass-appraisal system for residential parcels.
Parcels are subject to Ajo Unified School District taxes and various county-level special service districts for fire and emergency services.
Property insurance costs are rising due to increased wildfire and heat-related risk assessments in the Sonoran Desert region.
Arizona continues to see net positive domestic migration, though rural areas like Ajo experience more stable, slower growth compared to the Phoenix metro.
Arizona is primarily a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for a streamlined process under the deed of trust statutes.
Sellers are required to provide a comprehensive Residential Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) covering all material facts about the property.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Ajo Plaza4.78.2 mi
- Mine Lookout Visitor Center4.47.6 mi
- Coyote Howls Park4.49.9 mi
- Ajo Plaza4.78.2 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major UNESCO biosphere reserve offering hiking and scenic desert landscapes.
The historic center of town featuring Spanish Colonial architecture and local shops.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.