Phoenix, Arizona, is a city that consistently ranks among the finest locations to live in America. It seems like there are fans wherever you go. But it canβt be all sunshine and roses in Phoenix, with so many fantastic neighborhoods. What about the worst neighborhoods in Phoenix? There will always be a few establishments in a metropolis this size that are, well, letβs say a little less than savory. While the city as a whole seems to exude postcard-perfect sunsets and tacos at every corner, letβs take a look at the five worst areas in Phoenix before considering making it your home.
*Disclaimer: We donβt pretend to be experts on Phoenix or its suburbs by any means. These conclusions are exclusively supported by data, hard facts, crime statistics, and school evaluations. Itβs also fantastic if you believe that living in one of these communities makes you the safest person alive! These are only a few (statistically speaking) regions in one or more categories that could use some improvement.
Five Worst Neighborhoods to avoid living in Phoenix
Central Village:
Phoenixβs least safe neighborhood is frequently listed as Central Village. Itβs also among the townβs oldest neighborhoods. This area has some pretty lovely ancient residences and some really intriguing historic structures.
Regretfully, the higher you go into dense populations—like many densely inhabited inner city areas—the greater the crime rates. Despite the decades-long criminal problem in Central Village, things are actually improving. Nonetheless, break-ins, muggings, and even shootings are incredibly common in this area. It can be especially difficult to accept the harsh reality that Central Village has a crime rate that is more than 500% greater than the national average.
The Downtown Phoenix region, which includes Chase Field, the site of athletic events, is contained inside Central Village. There are undoubtedly some periods of the day when the neighborhood is safer than others given the volume of traffic that downtown attracts. A Saturday ballgame at noon is usually fine, but after 11:00 pm, when fewer people are there, things can be different in the same region. For precisely this reason, the downtown area was planned with walkability in mind, and many people find it to be quite comfortable to visit, even if they wouldnβt want to live there.
Population: 58,000+
Median Home Value: $92,000+
Median Income: $32,000+
South Mountain:
Almost 16,000 acres of naturally preserved desert forestation can be found in this stunning, environmentally rich region of South Mountain. Its beauty may be misleading, as South Mountain has long been associated with danger. In the past, South Mountain in Phoenix was the area with the highest density of low-income households. Even if itβs improving, like Central Village, it still rates extremely poor. Nevertheless, South Mountain has a sizable gang culture, and the likelihood of a resident becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 22.
It gets safer the closer you go to South Mountainβs really mountainous region. In fact, there are some stunning residences tucked away in the mountainside, placing owners in close proximity to the outdoors for outdoor activities like hiking and dining al fresco. Just as in any community, use caution and conduct thorough research before relocating.
Population: 123,000+
Median Home Value: $365,000+
Median Income: $62,000+
Maryvale:
Maryvale was intended to be the first master-planned neighborhood in Phoenix when it was first laid out in the 1950s. The community was intended to be a secure and peaceful haven for middle-class families, but the βPleasantvilleβ feel never really caught on. It remained a dangerous place for the most part of the decade, with periods when violent crime rates were at an all-time high being worse than others.
Itβs grown much better as new communities, particularly Glendale, have sprung up around Maryvale and raised property values. But crime is still rampant in this area. But unlike violent crimes like shootings, muggings, and domestic abuse, these crimes usually involve vandalism and property damage. Residents of Maryvale claim that they occasionally hear gunshots, indicating that violent crime hasnβt entirely disappeared from the area.
The Glendale neighborhood, a well-known safe area to raise a family and call home, borders Maryvale on its southernmost point. One of the most well-liked neighborhoods in Phoenix, Glendale has done a great job fostering a family atmosphere, which has improved living conditions in the neighboring communities.
Population: 208,000+
Median Home Value: $179,000+
Median Income: $45,000+
Alhambra:
Alhambra is our fourth least desirable neighborhood in Phoenix to live in. Alhambra, an urban town, was among the initial subdivisions in Phoenix and, akin to Maryvale, experienced the majority of its expansion during the mid-1900s. The population of this neighborhood increased dramatically throughout the 1940s and 1950s. The military families stationed at the neighboring Luke Air Force Base were to blame for this. It appeared to be a wonderful spot to call home. A large portion of the lower class housing that was built in order to accommodate these families on a limited military budget still stands today. Even with homes that are over 60 years old, itβs still a reasonably priced location to live. Because of its cost, it remains in the low-income category, and crime is a problem in many low-income communities.
Alhambra has a 165% higher crime rate than the US as a whole. This area sees a lot of theft-related crime. Generally speaking, residents believe that the area of Alhambra east of Highway 17 is the safest. Localsβ opinions range from βsafe place, just low incomeβ to βdangerous and unsafe to walk alone at night.β You can decide for yourself what constitutes safe after taking the information with a grain of salt.
Population: 127,000+
Median Home Value: $334,000+
Median Income: $56,000+
Encanto:
Encanto is a peaceful area that is undoubtedly the least of a few evils, even if it is on our list of the worst places to live in Phoenix. Property theft and nonviolent home invasions are the most common crimes in Encanto. In Encanto, it happens frequently for items to be stolen or vandalized, although being robbed at gunpoint is extremely uncommon. The region has an unappealing aesthetic due to some of the older homes with messy yards.
People of all ages inhabit Encanto, but a sizable portion of the population is made up of long-term residents who like the neighborhoodβs peculiarities. Many residents claim to feel totally safe riding and strolling in the neighborhood.
Even though the neighborhood is peaceful, young children shouldnβt play outside by themselves there. Remember that Phoenix is a huge metropolis, and growing up in the city is different from growing up in the Midwestβs suburban sprawl, just like it is in Los Angeles or Chicago. Encanto is still a place where you can buy a house for a reasonable price, provided that you remember to lock up your bikes and doors at night.
Population: 54,000+
Median Home Value: $500,000+
Median Income: $30,000+
Matt Pinner is a dedicated journalist for WVPrepBB.com, specializing in USA and crime news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, Matt brings timely and insightful reporting to his readers. His work on WVPrepBB.com keeps the community informed and engaged with the latest developments in national news and criminal justice.
