The town of Cave Creek is named after the small stream orginating in the hills to the northeast that flows southwest for 25 miles before reaching the vicinity of Paradise Valley. The town of Cave Creek was first settled as a community in 1870 and incorporated in 1986.
Cave Creek is located in northern Maricopa County. Phoenix sits to the southwest, Carefree to the east and Scottsdale to the southeast. The town encompasses approximately 31 square miles. Cave Creek is well situated for access to regional transportation. Interstate Highway 17 is located roughly eight miles to the west via the Carefree Highway. This north/south route connects Phoenix and Flagstaff. Air transportation is available at Scottsdale Municipal Airport, Deer Valley Airport and Sky Harbor International Airport.
Cave Creek's core stretches for one and a half miles at the northern foothills of Black Mountain with the Spur Cross Conservation Area in full panoramic view. The architectural styles are eclectic, but all respect the desert environment in which the community sits. Settled in 1870 by gold miners, the town was finally incorporated more than a century later by a community that shares the same rugged individualism.
Cave Creek attracts bicyclists, hikers, riders of motorcycles and, perhaps most reflective of its heritage, equestrians to a variety of businesses and events. A diverse mix of restaurants, coffee shops and retail establishments provide a thriving economic setting for tourists and residents alike. More than 30 annual events, including several sponsored by the town, attract visitors from all over the valley.
Several regional parks surround Cave Creek offering hiking, climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking and other recreation. Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is the newest addition to Maricopa County's Regional Parks system. The conservation area encompasses 2,154 acres of diverse, rugged upper Sonoran Desert. Cave Creek Regional Park is located north of Phoenix and this 2,922-acre park sits in the upper Sonoran Desert. This desert oasis, ranging in elevation from 2,000 feet to 3,060 feet, provides any hiker or equestrian majestic views. The Gateway Desert Awareness Park inside the town of Cave Creek offers children play structures, an informative trail, amphitheater, a demonstration garden and much more.
Cave Creek offers a broad range of community facilities including the Cave Creek Museum, Desert Foothills Library, Cave Creek Memorial Arena Rodeo Grounds and Rancho Manana Golf Club. For the equestrian lovers, Cave Creek has Spur Cross Stables, Cave Creek Trail Rides and MTM Ranch.
| Founded | 1870 | Incorporated | 1986 |
| Elevation | 2,200 ft. | Location | Maricopa County |
| Phoenix | 32 miles | San Diego | 381 miles |
| Tucson | 144 miles | Los Angeles | 399 miles |
| Las Vegas | 286 miles |
| 2000 | 2010 | 2023 (est.) | |
| Cave Creek | 3,955 | 5,005 | 5,021 |
| Maricopa County | 3,072,149 | 3,824,058 | 4,507,419 |
| State of Arizona | 5,130,632 | 6,401,569 | 7,285,370 |
Office of Economic Opportunity
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
| Cave Creek | 3.00% |
| Maricopa County | 0.70% |
| State | 5.60% |
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
| 2000 | 2010 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian Labor Force | 2,114 | 2,558 | 3,500 |
| Unemployed | 31 | 137 | 88 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.5% | 5.4% | 2.5% |
Office of Economic Opportunity
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 141 | 2.8% |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 533 | 10.7% |
| Some college or Associate degree | 1,221 | 24.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree | 3,107 | 62.1% |
American Community Survey
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific, & administrative services | 1,410 | 42.9% |
| Education, health care & social assistance | 362 | 11.0% |
| Other services, except public administration | 272 | 8.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services | 256 | 7.8% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 210 | 6.4% |
| Wholesale trade | 191 | 5.8% |
| Retail trade | 181 | 5.5% |
| Construction | 146 | 4.4% |
| Information | 80 | 2.4% |
| Transportation, warehousing, & utilities | 71 | 2.2% |
| Public administration | 67 | 2.0% |
| Manufacturing | 42 | 1.3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining | 0 | 0.0% |
American Community Survey
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact: