Home/Phoenix homes for sale/North Central Phoenix
Neighborhood area · Phoenix, Arizona
North Central Phoenix homes for sale in Phoenix
William J. Murphy, who built the Arizona Canal, extended Central Ave north and planted citrus along it in 1895; the road was first paved in 1920.
North Central Phoenix at a glance
Estate homes on large, often flood-irrigated lots along Central Ave, surrounded by ranch-era neighborhoods with mature trees. Upper tier along the avenue itself. About 2,600 homes, median year built 1962, typical house 3,030 sq ft, according to Maricopa County records.
Approximate boundary based on common local usage, traced along streets.
Where North Central Phoenix is
The boundary on county street centerlines.
The neighborhoods along North Central Ave between 7th Ave and 7th St, from Bethany Home Rd north to the Arizona Canal.
Approximate boundary based on common local usage, traced along streets.
This boundary is approximate. It follows how the area is commonly described rather than an official line, so confirm the exact address with us before relying on it.
Search North Central Phoenix homes for sale
Updated continuously from the MLS. Filter, save, and tour any home.
North Central Phoenix by the numbers
Inside the boundary, from county records.
Source: Maricopa County Assessor residential parcel records, pulled November 3, 2026. These are county figures for every home, not MLS statistics, and recorded sale prices come from deed records.
The story of North Central Phoenix
How the area came to be.
William J. Murphy, who built the Arizona Canal, extended Central Ave north and planted citrus along it in 1895; the road was first paved in 1920. The Murphy Bridle Path along the avenue was dedicated by the Arizona Horse Lovers Club in 1948.
Many of the large homes on North Central date from 1906 to 1935, and the North Central Avenue Streetscape Historic District (Bethany Home Rd to the Arizona Canal) was listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register in July 2004 and on the National Register on November 30, 2005. Phoenix adopted the North Central Avenue Special Planning District on July 1, 2004, covering properties fronting Central between Missouri and Northern Avenues.
Homes in North Central Phoenix
Eras, styles, lots and home types.
Estate homes on large, often flood-irrigated lots along Central Ave, surrounded by ranch-era neighborhoods with mature trees. Upper tier along the avenue itself.
- When homes were built
- 1906 to 1935 estates on Central; 1940s to 1960s ranch neighborhoods; ongoing rebuilds.
- Home styles
- Period revival estates, ranch, mid-century, contemporary.
- Lots
- Large along Central (often an acre or more); standard to large lots behind.
- Home types
- Mostly detached single-family; some condos and apartments on arterials.
- HOAs and gates
- Mostly non-HOA; a few small gated enclaves.
- School districts (county records)
- Madison Elementary School District (100%). High school: Phoenix Union High School District (100%)
Living in and around North Central Phoenix
What is inside, what is close, and what to check.
Inside North Central Phoenix: Murphy Bridle Path (Bethany Home Rd to the Arizona Canal), tree-lined streets, Arizona Canal path.
Nearby: Uptown Plaza and Central and Camelback, Sunnyslope and North Mountain to the north, Piestewa Peak to the east.
Before you buy
Flood irrigation is common on larger lots; check by address. Properties on Central Ave may fall under the North Central Avenue SPD and the historic streetscape designation. Address specific.
Related areas and communities
Keep exploring the Northeast Valley.
North Central Phoenix questions, answered
Where is North Central Phoenix?
Along North Central Ave from Bethany Home Rd to the Arizona Canal, roughly between 7th Ave and 7th St.
What is the housing like?
Large irrigated estate lots on Central Ave and ranch-era homes on the side streets, with many remodels.
Is it an official district?
No. It is a common name. The city's official villages split it at Northern Ave.
What are the exact boundaries of North Central Phoenix?
The neighborhoods along North Central Ave between 7th Ave and 7th St, from Bethany Home Rd north to the Arizona Canal. The line is approximate.
How many homes are in North Central Phoenix?
Maricopa County Assessor records show 2,605 homes inside the boundary on this page: 2,226 single-family homes, 379 condos and townhomes. The median year built is 1962.
Which school districts serve North Central Phoenix?
By county parcel records, homes in North Central Phoenix are mostly in Madison Elementary School District. School assignment is address specific, so confirm with the district before you buy.
How does the home search on this page work?
The search shows homes listed in the MLS whose map location falls inside the North Central Phoenix boundary on this page. Approximate boundary based on common local usage, traced along streets. The boundary is approximate, so homes right at the edge can fall on either side. Listings update continuously. Housing figures on this page come from Maricopa County Assessor records pulled on November 3, 2026, not from the MLS.
Thinking about North Central Phoenix?
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Sources
- Maricopa County Assessor parcel records (residential parcels inside the boundary), pulled November 3, 2026. Recorded sale figures use each parcel's most recent recorded sale since November 1, 2024, at $50,000 or more.
- Street centerlines on the map: Maricopa County GIS. Listings: ARMLS via Flexmls.
- Phoenix New Times, What's this slice of Phoenix called? Online debate divides Valley, accessed November 3, 2026.
- Wikipedia: Central Avenue Corridor (Phoenix), accessed November 3, 2026.
- Wikipedia: National Register of Historic Places listings in Phoenix (NRIS dates and bounds), accessed November 3, 2026.
- City of Phoenix GIS: Public/ZoningOverlays MapServer layer 0 (Zoning Overlays), accessed November 3, 2026.
- phoenix.municipal.codes, accessed November 3, 2026.
- phoenix.gov, accessed November 3, 2026.
- axios.com, accessed November 3, 2026.
All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Listing information is provided by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Area boundaries on this page are for orientation only and do not follow school, HOA or service boundaries, so confirm the city, zoning, HOA, water service and assigned schools for a specific address. Housing figures come from Maricopa County Assessor records and are not MLS statistics. This page is for general information only and is not financial, lending, legal, or tax advice. Arizona Luxury Partners | Real Estate Group at RE/MAX Fine Properties, 21020 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Office 480.766.1515. Brokerage License LC629808000. Equal Housing Opportunity.
