Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought 16,000 acres (65km2) to plant cotton and establish Goodyear in 1917. Goodyear's involvement in World War II was crucial to the 1940s when the Phoenix Goodyear Airport was established. But, the economy declined after the war. Goodyear was incorporated as a municipality on November 19, 1946. The town had 151 homes, 250 apartments, a grocery, a barber shop and a beauty shop.
In 1943, the United States Army Air Forces constructed Luke Field Auxiliary 6 (Goodyear Field). It served as a satellite base for Luke Army Air Field. The History of Luke AFB states that this airfield was the largest. It was home to crew chiefs, operations and supply. There were also separate buildings for the pit latrine, crew chiefs, operation, supply and generator sheds. The control tower was also located there. Luke AF Auxiliary No 6 ceased operations in 1971.
In 1985, the town was made a city. The remaining 10,000 acres (40km2) of original farmland were sold to future development in the same decade. In 1986, the Phoenix Goodyear Airport was given its current name.
Goodyear was established in 1917 but the majority of its construction and population growth occurred after 1990. The 22 communities currently under construction cover an area of around 20,000 acres (31 sq mi). These communities will be joined by 21 other communities that are being developed for suburban development. There will be almost 200,000 homes in these communities with just 25,000 of them built.
Estrella, which covers 20,000 acres (31 mi), is the largest Goodyear community. About 10,000 people live in the master-planned community. Palm Valley is located north of Interstate 10. It covers 9,000 acres (14 mi) and has a variety of home sizes. PebbleCreek offers 54 holes of championship golf and fitness centers as well as restaurants.
Goodyear lies approximately 17 miles (27km) west of Phoenix. Avondale is located near Tolleson, Buckeye, Litchfield Park and Tolleson. The Goodyear city limits stretch north from the center of the town to Glendale, and south to the Rainbow Valley for 30 miles (48km) to an area south Arizona State Route 238.
The area only experiences snow once in several years. Sometimes, winter lows can dip below freezing which could cause damage to desert plants like saguaros or other cacti. The North American Monsoon, which can affect Phoenix in the afternoon or evening of July, August, and September, can cause thunderstorms and heavy rainfall even on sunny mornings. Dust storms can occur occasionally, mostly in the summer.
Goodyear is served by several school districts. Avondale Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Litchfield Elementary, Mobile Elementary, and Mobile School District are all elementary school districts. Agua Fria Union high school district and Buckeye Union high school district are examples of high schools.
Here is Phoenix Goodyear Airport. It is equipped with a runway of 8,500 feet (2.600 m) that can handle large jet aircraft. International airlines use this airport for maintenance and storage. However, there is no commercial service at the airport.