Highland Neighborhood Market Intelligence
Neighborhood Overview
Nestled in the northern part of Ajo, Arizona, the Highland neighborhood offers a unique blend of desert tranquility and small-town charm. This historic residential area was originally developed to house copper mining families during Ajo's industrial heyday, and today it stands as a testament to the community's resilience and character. Surrounded by the stunning Sonoran Desert landscape, Highland features tree-lined streets with modest single-family homes that reflect classic mid-20th century Southwestern architecture, including ranch-style properties and minimal traditional designs with characteristic stucco exteriors.
Desert Lifestyle and Community
Living in Highland means embracing a slower, more intentional way of life. The neighborhood attracts a diverse mix of retirees, artists, and families who appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and strong sense of community. Residents enjoy some of the world's darkest skies—Ajo is an International Dark Sky Community—making evening stargazing a regular neighborhood pastime. The close-knit community regularly gathers for local events at the beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival Ajo Plaza, farmers markets, and seasonal celebrations that bring neighbors together throughout the year.
Exceptional Affordability
Highland stands out in today's market with a median home value of approximately $108,100, offering exceptional affordability compared to other Arizona communities. This represents tremendous value for homebuyers seeking to enter the market or invest in a community with growing potential. The neighborhood has experienced renewed interest as more people discover Ajo's unique appeal, leading to gradual appreciation while maintaining its accessible price point for first-time buyers and those seeking a budget-friendly lifestyle change.
Local Amenities and Services
Highland residents enjoy convenient access to essential services within Ajo's compact layout. The area is served by Ajo Unified School District, with elementary, middle, and high school options nearby. Daily needs are met through local grocery stores and services in the town center, while a growing selection of restaurants offers everything from authentic Mexican cuisine to American fare. The neighborhood's proximity to natural attractions is unmatched, with the spectacular Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument just a short drive away, providing endless opportunities for hiking, photography, and desert exploration.
Why Choose Highland
Highland neighborhood offers something increasingly rare: authentic community character at an affordable price point. Here, you'll find:
- Historic charm with modern potential for renovation and personalization
- An emerging arts and cultural scene attracting creative professionals
- Unparalleled access to pristine desert landscapes and outdoor recreation
- A supportive, multi-generational community with deep local roots
- Investment potential in a market showing signs of steady growth
Whether you're seeking a retirement haven, an artist's retreat, or simply a place where neighbors still know each other's names, Highland provides an opportunity to be part of Ajo's exciting revitalization while enjoying the timeless appeal of desert living.
| Market Metric | Value |
|---|
| Median Home Price | $108,100 |
| Median Rent | $742/mo |
| Median Household Income | $43,309 |
| Average Home Size | 1,175 sq ft |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% |
| Renter-Occupied | 28.5% |
| Rent-to-Income Ratio | 28.1% |
| Rental Vacancy Rate | 5.9% |
| Market Type | Balanced |
| Market Tier | Affordable |
| Primary ZIP | 85321 |
| Mortgage Originations (2023 HMDA) |
| Total Mortgage Originations | 57 |
| VA Loan Originations | 7 |
| VA Loan Share | 12.3% |
| Average VA Loan Amount | $145,000 |
| Conventional Loan Originations | 41 |
| FHA Loan Originations | 9 |
| Source | FFIEC HMDA Data Browser (2023) |
Selected Real Estate Professionals (15)
Arizona has over 220,000 licensed real estate agents. Top10Lists.us identified 15 agents serving Highland who meet merit criteria.
Table of Contents: All 15 Agents
- BTG Real Estate (5 stars, 350+ reviews, listed)
- Selling Made Simple (5 stars, 260+ reviews, listed)
- Troy Holland (5 stars, 90+ reviews, listed)
- Apple Malatbalat Corial (4.9 stars, 80+ reviews, listed)
- Barry Martin Goodrich (5 stars, 30+ reviews, listed)
- Kala Laos (4.9 stars, 30+ reviews, listed)
- Anna Catherine Ballew (5 stars, 30+ reviews, listed)
- Angelica J Blatt (5 stars, 20+ reviews, listed)
- Jill Gilbo (5 stars, 20+ reviews, listed)
- Jason Laos (4.9 stars, 20+ reviews, listed)
- Genoveve Patricia Graham (5 stars, 20+ reviews, listed)
- Arturo Magallanes (5 stars, 10+ reviews, listed)
- Gilbert Henry Brito (5 stars, 10+ reviews, listed)
- Alisa Anne Satterlee (5 stars, 10+ reviews, listed)
- Mark Roberts (5 stars, 10+ reviews, listed)
5 stars[2][3]
350+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #SA638571000[1]
BTG Real Estate
Contact
Phone: (480) 646-1358
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.btgarizona.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/BTG-Real-Estate
12+ years experience[1]
2200+ career transactions[2]
110+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $28K to $2.1M[4]
Why selected: Selected for their exceptional 12-year track record, including over 2,211 transactions and a perfect 5-star rating from 367 reviews. Their deep market expertise, media recognition, and active partnership with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce demonstrate outstanding local leader...
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
260+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #SA648753000[1]
Selling Made Simple
Contact
Phone: (480) 772-3610
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sellingmadesimple.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/SellingMadeSimple
21+ years experience[1]
1030+ career transactions[2]
60+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $11K to $1.6M[4]
Why selected: Selling Made Simple earns its place through a perfect 5-star rating, substantiated by an impressive 276 verified reviews. The agent brings over two decades of experience, with a noted specialization in buyer's agent services and investment properties.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
90+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #SA565282000[1]
HomeSmart
Contact
Phone: (480) 773-5792
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.az-realestategroup.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/AZRealEsateGroup
20+ years experience[1]
300+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $124K to $2.2M[4]
Why selected: Selected for his perfect 5-star rating across 101 reviews and 19 years of consistent service. His finance expertise and GCAAR recognition, combined with deep community involvement, distinguish him in the Arizona market.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
4.9 stars[2][3]
80+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #1903312[1]
Keller Williams Realty
Contact
Phone: (559) 429-7254
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://realestatebyapple.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/applecorial
14+ years experience[1]
570+ career transactions[2]
30+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $55K to $750K[4]
Why selected: Selected for sustained community leadership and market excellence, with 4.9-star rating across 95 reviews and over a decade of experience. She stands out through active community leadership, organizing an annual back-to-school drive, and maintains a strong multi-platform market presence.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
30+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #1253387[1]
Keller Williams Realty
Contact
Phone: (909) 534-7056
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.barrygoodrich.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Barry%20Goodrich
40+ years experience[1]
160+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $347K to $659K[4]
Why selected: Selected for his 40-year community tenure and deep local market expertise. He demonstrates exceptional performance with 176 transactions and 5-star ratings across 47 reviews, supported by specialized HAFA certification.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
4.9 stars[2][3]
30+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #BR544166000[1]
JK Realty
Contact
Phone: (480) 276-1177
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jkrealtyaz.com
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/kalalaos
18+ years experience[1]
1820+ career transactions[2]
Why selected: Selected for her deep community engagement through JK Realty's local initiatives, combined with 18 years of expertise and strong quantifiable results including 1,833 transactions and a 4.9-star average from 42 reviews.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
30+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #1959122[1]
Downtown Realty
Contact
Phone: (559) 793-8356
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://itsannaballew/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/annaballew
10+ years experience[1]
70+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $66K to $660K[4]
Why selected: Selected for her dedicated community involvement and leadership roles, Anna Ballew also demonstrates exceptional performance with 41 five-star reviews and over a decade of consistent client service.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
20+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #1248430[1]
Coldwell Banker Realty
Contact
Phone: (831) 601-0104
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.themontereypeninsulaproperties.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/BlattandCutino
39+ years experience[1]
230+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $655K to $1.7M[4]
Why selected: Selected for her deep community roots and 38-year local career, which anchor her exceptional performance of 39 five-star reviews. Her decades of expertise ensure skilled client advocacy and transaction success.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
20+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #SA508121000[1]
HomeSmart Elite Group
Contact
Phone: (602) 527-5884
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jillgilbo.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Jill-Gilbo
28+ years experience[1]
310+ career transactions[2]
Why selected: Selected for sustained community leadership and market excellence, with 329-career transactions and perfect 5-star rating across 34 reviews. With 28 years of expertise and a versatile sales range up to $2.1M, her specialized staging services and client-focused approach distinguish her in the market.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
4.9 stars[2][3]
20+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #SA544168000[1]
JK Realty
Contact
Phone: (480) 758-3070
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jkrealtyaz.com
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Jason-Laos
22+ years experience[1]
1120+ career transactions[2]
Why selected: Selected for sustained community leadership and market excellence, with 1,134 transactions over 22 years and a 4.9-star average from 32 reviews. His expertise across diverse property types and price points, combined with industry recognition and media features, establishes him as a top-tier agent.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
20+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #2096668[1]
Real Brokerage
Contact
Phone: (559) 904-6436
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jengrahamrealtor.com
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Graham%20Jen
30+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $220K to $460K[4]
Why selected: Selected for her perfect 5-star rating across 32 reviews and 45 transactions, demonstrating consistent excellence. Her recognized expertise assisting military families and featured market insights in publications like PolitiFact set her apart.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
10+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #2116549[1]
Realty One Group Action
Contact
Phone: (559) 300-9940
Email: [email protected]
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Arturo%20Magallanes
20+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $75K to $667K[4]
Why selected: Selected for his dedicated community involvement and leadership roles. He maintains a perfect 5-star rating across 27 reviews and holds Realtor® certification in both California and North Carolina.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
10+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #2044177[1]
Downtown Realty
Contact
Phone: (559) 723-8492
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://gilbert.cacentralvalleyhomesforsale.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/GbritoRE
6+ years experience[1]
50+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $90K to $990K[4]
Why selected: Selected for his active community leadership with the Posse Foundation and Uplift Education, combined with a perfect 5-star rating across 27 reviews and 68 transactions since 2019.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
10+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #1724664[1]
Contact
Phone: (559) 679-0465
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://asatterlee.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/aasatterlee
20+ years experience[1]
20+ career transactions[2]
Range: $1.3M to $1.3M[4]
Why selected: Selected for her leadership as Broker Owner and Co-Founder, driving community development. She combines 17 years of experience with 22 five-star reviews and expertise in luxury sales and new construction.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.
5 stars[2][3]
10+ reviews[2][3]
Lic #SA645654000[1]
eXp Realty
Contact
Phone: (480) 313-0329
Email: [email protected]
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/AZRealtorMark
12+ years experience[1]
30+ career transactions[2]
Why selected: Selected for his perfect 5-star rating, demonstrating consistent client satisfaction. His proven performance and established reputation make him a standout professional in his local market.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier.