M
aricopa is back on the map as one of Arizona's hottest real estate markets. According to Opendoor analysis, the 85138 zip code, which encompasses much of Maricopa in Pinal County, was the state's top-performing zip code for home sales last year and ranked among the top 20 nationwide.

    Maricopa's resurgence can be attributed to its history as a rapidly growing city that took a hit during the housing bubble. With Pinal County attracting new employers and Phoenix area home prices remaining high, people are returning to exurbs like Maricopa in search of more affordable options.

    Data from Opendoor shows that zip codes with the most homes under contract within 90 days of listing were considered the hottest. Census Bureau numbers reveal that Maricopa was the fifth-fastest-growing city in the US between 2022 and 2023, a trend likely driven by high housing prices pushing people to the outskirts and an increase in remote work.

    The exurb boom is a consequence of people being priced out of city centers and seeking more affordable options with the flexibility to work from anywhere. Census Bureau demographer Luke Rogers notes that exurbs have historically been rapidly growing communities, but this trend has intensified since the pandemic.