Why Carrollton works for buyers
- Historic downtown square with events like Festival at the Switchyard
- DART light rail access for car-light commuting
- Korean, Indian, and Latin American dining corridors along Old Denton Road
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Carrollton Relocation & Lifestyle Guide
Living in Carrollton, Texas: schools, neighborhoods, and local insights
Carrollton draws professionals and families who want quick commutes to Dallas, Plano, and Las Colinas without sacrificing neighborhood charm. Revitalized downtown Carrollton Square and pockets of mid-century homes provide excellent value. With exceptional transit access, diverse dining, and affordable housing, Carrollton offers urban convenience without the premium price tag.
- Commute
- 20 minutes to Uptown Dallas, 15 minutes to Legacy West, 10 minutes to DFW Airport terminals
- Lifestyle Mix
- Mature neighborhoods, multicultural dining districts, and transit-oriented developments
- Price Snapshot
- $360K – $600K single-family | Updated townhomes from $320K
Carrollton overview
Carrollton draws professionals and families who want quick commutes to Dallas, Plano, and Las Colinas without sacrificing neighborhood charm. Revitalized downtown Carrollton Square and pockets of mid-century homes provide excellent value. With exceptional transit access, diverse dining, and affordable housing, Carrollton offers urban convenience without the premium price tag.
Carrollton neighborhoods to know
Match your wish list—from walkable districts to gated communities—with these buyer favorites. Mali can share recent closings, HOA nuances, and off-market conversations for each pocket.
Hebron 121 Station
Transit-oriented mixed-use community near DART rail with modern apartments, townhomes ($320K–$450K), restaurants, retail, and walkable access to entertainment. Ideal for commuters and young professionals.
Indian Creek
Established family neighborhood with 1970s-80s homes ($360K–$520K), mature trees, community pools, parks, and excellent Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD schools. Strong neighborhood association.
Keller Springs
Well-maintained mid-century homes ($380K–$550K) on larger lots with updated kitchens and baths, proximity to Addison Airport area employers, and convenient highway access. Popular with investors.
Castle Hills
Newer master-planned community with modern homes ($450K–$650K), resort amenities, pools, trails, and highly rated schools. Family-focused with active HOA and community events.
Downtown Carrollton Square
Historic district with renovated bungalows, loft conversions, and new infill townhomes ($350K–$500K). Walkable to restaurants, breweries, farmers market, and DART Green Line station.
Rosemeade
Affordable established neighborhood with diverse home styles, parks, aquatic center access, and strong school ratings. Homes $340K–$480K appeal to first-time buyers and growing families.
Population & demographic profile
Understanding Carrollton's community composition helps buyers match lifestyle preferences with neighborhood character. The figures below reference recent American Community Survey estimates and city planning reports.
Total Population
135,000+ residents
2024 estimate; stable mature suburb with diverse demographics and strong employment access.
Median Age
36.8 years
Younger than Texas average, attracting young families, professionals, and first-time buyers seeking affordable housing.
Median Household Income
$76,542
Competitive income levels supported by proximity to major employment centers in Dallas, Plano, and DFW Airport.
Cultural Diversity
60%+ minority population
One of North Texas' most diverse cities with thriving Asian, Hispanic, and international communities.
Population by age group
- Under 1521%
- 15 – 2414%
- 25 – 4430%
- 45 – 6425%
- 65+10%
Education level
- Bachelor's degree or higher47%
- Graduate or professional degree15%
- Some college or associate degree26%
- High school diploma or equivalent20%
Demographics
- Carrollton is one of Texas' most diverse cities: 42% Hispanic, 21% Asian, 17% Black, 35% White, creating a globally connected multicultural community.
- The city's 60%+ minority population drives vibrant international dining, cultural festivals, and multilingual business services.
- Education levels of 47% with bachelor's degrees or higher support strong schools and attract professional-class families seeking affordability.
- Median household income of $76,542 combined with $360K–$600K home prices makes Carrollton accessible for first-time buyers and young families.
Lifestyle & recreation
- Historic Downtown Carrollton Square features boutique shops, breweries like Bankhead Brewing Co., restaurants, farmers market, art galleries, and year-round festivals including Festival at the Switchyard.
- DART Green Line provides transit-oriented living at Hebron 121 Station, Downtown Carrollton, and Trinity Mills with car-free access to Dallas, Richardson, and Love Field.
- Old Denton Road corridor showcases Carrollton's diversity with authentic Korean BBQ, Indian restaurants, Latin American taquerias, Mediterranean cafes, and international markets like H Mart.
- Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex offers lazy river, water slides, splash pads, lap lanes, and tropical landscaping—a summer destination for North Texas families.
- Sandy Lake Amusement Park provides classic family fun with rides, mini golf, arcade, and seasonal events at affordable prices.
- A.W. Perry Homestead Museum preserves Carrollton's history with pioneer exhibits, heritage gardens, special events, and educational programs for all ages.
Career opportunities in Carrollton
- Carrollton's central location between Dallas, Plano, and Las Colinas provides access to thousands of jobs in finance, tech, healthcare, and professional services within 20-minute commutes.
- Local employers including FASTSIGNS, Halliburton, and SECURUS Technologies offer corporate, technical, and administrative positions.
- DFW Airport proximity (10 min) creates opportunities in aviation, logistics, hospitality, and international business sectors.
- Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD employs teachers, administrators, support staff, and facilities personnel serving 27,000+ students across 38 campuses.
Major employers
- FASTSIGNS International headquarters with franchise support and corporate teams
- Halliburton Energy Services operations and engineering facility employing hundreds
- SECURUS Technologies corrections communications and monitoring systems headquarters
- Proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport provides access to American Airlines, aviation services, and logistics companies
- Addison Airport area just south offers executive aviation, corporate offices, and hospitality employment
- Las Colinas business district minutes west features ExxonMobil, Verizon, and other Fortune 500 campuses
Carrollton schools
School zones significantly impact home values and buyer decisions. The list below highlights top-performing campuses—Mali can map specific attendance boundaries for your shortlist properties.
McCall Elementary (K-5)
9/10Elementary
Top-rated CFBISD elementary with strong academics, gifted programs, STEM integration, and active parent involvement. Serves Castle Hills and surrounding areas.
Stark Elementary (K-5)
8/10Elementary
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD campus with technology-rich classrooms, dual-language programs, and community partnerships supporting student achievement.
Perry Middle School (6-8)
9/10Middle
Award-winning middle school with Pre-AP courses, robotics, athletics, fine arts, and leadership programs. Strong preparation for high school success.
Creekview High School (9-12)
9/10High
Highly rated CFBISD high school with AP courses, engineering academies, championship athletics, performing arts, and dual-credit partnerships with Brookhaven College.
Newman Smith High School (9-12)
8/10High
Comprehensive high school offering career tech pathways, AP courses, athletics, fine arts, and JROTC programs serving central and south Carrollton.
Hebron High School (9-12)
8/10High
CFBISD campus serving Lewisville ISD with strong academics, championship athletics, performing arts, and diverse student body. Solid college prep programs.
R.L. Turner High School (9-12)
7/10High
Historic CFBISD campus with career technical education, dual-credit programs, athletics, and diverse opportunities serving east Carrollton neighborhoods.
Blalack Middle School (6-8)
8/10Middle
CFBISD campus with STEM emphasis, UIL academics, athletics, and arts programs. Strong community support and family engagement.
Getting around Carrollton
- DART Green Line serves three Carrollton stations (Downtown Carrollton, Trinity Mills, Hebron 121) with 30-minute rail access to Downtown Dallas and connections to Love Field.
- Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH 121) provides 10-minute access to DFW Airport, 15 minutes to Plano Legacy West, and connections to Frisco entertainment districts.
- I-35E runs north-south through Carrollton offering access to Denton (20 min north) and Downtown Dallas (20 min south).
- President George Bush Turnpike connects east to Richardson and Plano, west to Irving and Las Colinas business districts.
Relocation checklist with Mali
Moving to Carrollton means lining up the right vendor team, understanding seasonal weather shifts, and comparing neighborhoods before touring. Mali guides you through scouting trips, remote video tours, and negotiation strategy so your Carrollton plan comes together smoothly.
- Carrollton spans multiple ISDs—verify whether homes feed to Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Lewisville ISD, or Dallas ISD as school quality varies.
- DART Green Line access is a major asset—prioritize neighborhoods near stations if you commute to Dallas or Richardson for car-free lifestyle benefits.
- Older homes (1960s-70s) offer value but may need HVAC, plumbing, and electrical updates—budget $15K–$30K for deferred maintenance on fixer-uppers.
- Carrollton's diversity creates exceptional dining—explore Korean BBQ on Old Denton, Indian restaurants near Belt Line, and Latin American spots throughout the city.
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Compare Carrollton to nearby cities
Every North Texas suburb brings unique advantages. Whether you're weighing school ratings, commute times, or neighborhood character, Mali will map your priorities against current market inventory.