Laveen (/ləˈviːn/ lə-VEEN) is a community in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, situated eight miles (13 km) southwest of Downtown Phoenix, between South Mountain and the confluence of the Gila and Salt rivers.

Although Laveen has been home to "pastoral alfalfa, cotton, and dairy farms"[2] since the 1880s, housing and commercial developments have been increasingly urbanizing the area.

Despite its proximity to Phoenix, the community was isolated from its larger neighbor by the Salt River, which carried water year-round until the Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911.

"[4] A second general store, the Del Monte Market, was built in 1908 at 27th Avenue and Dobbins Road, and is considered the oldest still-standing building in Laveen.

Dee and Shelton bought the general store from the Laveens, along with 40 acres (160,000 m2) of farmland on the southeast corner of 51st Avenue and Dobbins Road.

[8] “Come to Laveen and smell our 'Dairy-Air'” By 1941, the Cheathams' dairy operation had outgrown their farm, so they bought 360 acres (1.5 km2) of land south of Baseline Road, between 43rd and 51st Avenues.

[8] Although tractors eventually took over most of the work, the horses were still used for feeding the dairy herd until the operation was shut down in 2003,[8] and the family sold most of the land to developers.

Therefore, the community set up a public-use hydrant south of the store, where people, including members of the Maricopa and Pima tribes, came for their drinking water.

[4][9] Tribe members would bring wagon loads of milk cans to fill with water, and firewood to trade for groceries.

Several residents had sued Dee Cheatham for what they believed was excessive pumping of ground water, causing their wells to run dry.

[10] Although many of the early settlers were religious, including the Clevengers who were Mormons,[9] through April 1939, various attempts by churches to set up a Sunday School in Laveen had failed.

"[14] They were initially a local service organization, putting together socials and picnics, but eventually expanded their mission to include promoting the industry's beef products.

"[14] In 1950, the Cowbelles organized a barbecue to give the community a chance to gather on the last Sunday of the year, and to raise money for the March of Dimes.

In recent years, the barbecue has grown into a very large event held at Corona Ranch, a venue in Laveen with rodeo grounds.

The barbecue has held tight to its rural roots, and hosts a variety of events, including: a cow milking competition, pot-belly pig racing, country music, and more.

World War II Alamo Scout (US 6th Army Special Reconnaissance Unit) Joshua Sunn was born and raised in Laveen.

The face of the building has more of a rural design, and there is more dense and mature landscaping than other Walmart stores.”[31] Although official zoning recommendations for the area of Laveen falling within the city of Phoenix come from the Laveen Planning Commission (LPC),[32] the Phoenix City Council has historically taken the recommendations of both the commission and the LCRD into consideration when voting on zoning matters.

Zoning in both the county and city areas of Laveen is guided by a master plan called the "Southwest Regional Growth Study.

[38] Rogers Ranch Elementary, the seventh school in the district with a curriculum focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math ("STEM"), opened in August 2012.

The area of Laveen contains approximately 48 square miles (120 km2) of largely undeveloped, agricultural property, as well as several groups of residential housing developments.