Your Guide to Fountain Hills
Your guide to Fountain Hills — home to the tallest fountain in the United States, 150 pieces of public art, and McDowell Mountain trails. A quiet, scenic community northeast of Scottsdale.
What Is It Like to Live in Fountain Hills?
Fountain Hills is a quiet, scenic community of roughly 24,000 tucked into the McDowell Mountains northeast of Scottsdale. The town is defined by two things: its iconic fountain — the tallest in the United States, shooting water 560 feet into the air — and its mountain setting, which provides panoramic desert views from nearly every vantage point in town.
The community was conceived in 1970 by C.V. Wood (who helped develop Disneyland) and Robert McCulloch as a planned residential community built around the central lake and fountain. That planned-community DNA is still visible today: the town is quiet, well-maintained, and focused on quality of life over commercial growth. With 150 pieces of public art dotting the streetscape, three golf courses, the Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden, and direct access to McDowell Mountain Regional Park, this is a place designed for people who value beauty, nature, and a slower pace. The demographic skews older — median age is 60 — and retirees make up a significant portion of the population. But younger families and professionals are drawn here too, particularly those who want mountain views and Scottsdale proximity without Scottsdale prices.
Who Lives in Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills has an older, affluent population compared to most Valley communities. The median age is 60, with roughly 40% of residents over 65. The community is predominantly White (88%) with small Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial populations. Average household income is approximately $141,000. The town attracts retirees seeking mountain views and a quiet lifestyle, snowbirds who split time between Arizona and northern states, and a smaller but growing contingent of remote workers and professionals who appreciate the natural setting.
A quiet, well-maintained community where retirees and nature lovers coexist. The public art culture and mountain setting attract people who value aesthetics and quality of life over urban amenities.
Cost of Living in Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills sits in the upper tier of the Phoenix metro housing market. The median home price is approximately $700,000, with mountain-view properties and custom homes on larger lots pushing well above that. The community offers good value relative to neighboring Scottsdale — similar mountain scenery and desert aesthetics at a lower per-square-foot cost. Condos and townhomes near the fountain and town center provide lower entry points in the $400K–$550K range. Property taxes benefit from Arizona's relatively low rates. Day-to-day costs are comparable to other East Valley communities, though the town's limited retail means residents frequently drive to Scottsdale or Fountain Hills's own small commercial corridor for shopping and services.
Parks & Outdoors
Outdoor access is Fountain Hills' greatest asset. McDowell Mountain Regional Park sprawls across 21,000 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert to the north, offering camping, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding across trails that range from gentle desert washes to challenging ridgeline climbs. The Adero Canyon Trailhead provides direct access from the town's eastern edge, with trails that connect to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and offer panoramic views of the fountain, town, and surrounding mountains.
Within town, the Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden showcases desert flora in a free, open-access garden setting. The lake and fountain path offers a scenic loop for walking and jogging. The town maintains over 150 pieces of public art scattered through downtown and along the Avenue of the Fountains. The Fountain Festival of Arts and Crafts draws 500 artists twice a year, in spring and fall. Three golf courses — Desert Canyon, Eagle Mountain, and SunRidge Canyon — offer dramatically different terrain with mountain views and elevation changes.
Who Is Fountain Hills Best For?
Fountain Hills appeals to those who prioritize natural beauty, quiet living, and outdoor access over urban amenities and nightlife.
Fountain Hills FAQs
Common questions about living in Fountain Hills.
The Fountain Hills fountain shoots water 560 feet into the air, making it the tallest fountain in the United States and the third tallest in the world. That's 10 feet higher than the Washington Monument and nearly three times the height of Old Faithful. The fountain runs on a schedule — typically for 15 minutes at the top of each hour during daylight — and is lit at night for special events.
No. Fountain Hills is an independent incorporated town with its own government, police, and services. It borders Scottsdale to the west and south, and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to the north. The Scottsdale border is close enough that residents use Scottsdale amenities frequently, but the communities have distinct identities.
Fountain Hills was designated a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association, recognizing the town's efforts to minimize light pollution. This means excellent stargazing conditions, and the town actively manages outdoor lighting to preserve the night sky. It's one of the few communities in the metro area with this designation.
Fountain Hills is about 15–20 minutes from north Scottsdale, 30–35 minutes from downtown Scottsdale, and 40–50 minutes from downtown Phoenix. The Beeline Highway (AZ-87) provides the primary connection south toward Mesa and the Loop 101 interchange.
Local Favorites
Popular spots in the neighborhood
Fountain Hills Artists Gallery
16858 E Ave of the Fountains # 103, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, USA
River of Time Museum & Exploration Center
12901 N La Montana Dr #4742, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, USA
Rotary Community Musical Park at Fountain Park
Fountain Park and The Fountain, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd at, E El Lago Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, USA
Fountain Hills Park Parking/Restrooms
17166-17198 E El Lago Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, USA
Impact Jiu Jitsu Fountain Hills
16872 E Ave of the Fountains Suite 201, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, USA
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