Mesa, Arizona
Big-City Opportunity, Desert Mountain Living
Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson, and the 38th-largest in the U.S. Its population is estimated at 513,656 as of July 2025, and it covers about 138.7 square miles of the East Valley, east of Tempe and Phoenix and next to Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Apache Junction.
Mesa has a little of everything: a revitalized downtown, two spring training ballparks, desert mountain trails, and a growing tech and aerospace economy, all with neighborhoods to fit nearly any lifestyle.
Downtown Mesa and the Arts
The Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts center in Arizona. Its more than 210,000 square feet include four theaters, among them the 1,600-seat Ikeda Theater, plus five art galleries and 14 art studios. Downtown streets are lined with trees, about 30 sculptures, and 20 murals, and the Mesa Amphitheatre hosts concerts throughout the year. The I.D.E.A Museum is a great museum in downtown Mesa for kids.
Outdoor Recreation
Northeast Mesa backs up to the Tonto National Forest. Usery Mountain Regional Park offers more than 29 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Salt River and Saguaro Lake are close by for tubing, kayaking, boating, and fishing. Golfers can choose from courses across the city, including Las Sendas, Longbow, and Red Mountain Ranch.
Spring Training Capital
Every February and March, Mesa hosts two Major League Baseball teams. The Chicago Cubs play at Sloan Park in west Mesa, and the Athletics play at Hohokam Stadium north of downtown. With 15,000 seats, Sloan Park is the largest spring training stadium in Major League Baseball.
Featured Mesa Communities
Las Sendas: A Northeast Mesa master-planned community at the base of the Tonto National Forest, with 14 trails, resort pools, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, and 10-rated Las Sendas Elementary. [Explore Las Sendas →]
Mountain Bridge: A gated community with Old World architecture, a signature stone bridge, 304 acres of open space, and a private Owners Club. [Explore Mountain Bridge →]
Eastmark: A 3,200-acre Southeast Mesa community built around the 96-acre Great Park, and home to the Gateway Library, named the world's best new public library in 2026. [Explore Eastmark →]
Schools
Most of Mesa is served by Mesa Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in Arizona. Parts of southeast Mesa are served by Gilbert Public Schools and Queen Creek Unified. Families also have access to highly rated charter schools such as BASIS Mesa and Self Development Charter School. Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus is in southeast Mesa for college and continuing education.
Standout public schools include Red Mountain High School, Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies, Eastmark High School, and Desert Ridge High School.
Jobs, Commutes, and Travel
Mesa has one of the strongest job bases in the East Valley:
Aerospace: Falcon Field Airport in northeast Mesa is one of the nation's busiest general aviation airports. Boeing builds the AH-64 Apache helicopter right next to the field.
Technology: The Elliot Road Technology Corridor in southeast Mesa is home to Apple's Global Operations Center and data centers for Google and Meta.
Education: ASU Polytechnic anchors the southeast side of the city.
Mesa is also home to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, the largest relief airport in the Phoenix area, with nonstop flights to dozens of cities. Sky Harbor International is a short drive west via the US 60, Loop 202, and Loop 101.
Mesa Homes For Sale
Thinking About Mesa?
With so much variety, Mesa can feel like several cities in one: golf course homes in the northeast, new construction near the tech corridor, established neighborhoods close to downtown. I can help you figure out which part of Mesa fits the way you live. Reach out and I'll set up a quick call. I reply within 24 hours.