Why Plano works for buyers
- Legacy West & The Shops at Legacy lifestyle districts
- Corporate campuses keeping commute times short
- Extensive system of parks, hike-and-bike trails, and community pools
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Plano Relocation & Lifestyle Guide
Living in Plano, Texas: schools, neighborhoods, and local insights
Plano pairs award-winning schools with a thriving corporate corridor, acres of parkland, and globally inspired dining. Whether you are upsizing to a master-planned neighborhood or searching for a lock-and-leave condo, Mali helps you line up timing, pricing, and neighborhood vibe before you write an offer.
- Population
- Plano counted 293,286 residents in 2024 across 72 neighborhoods.
- Lifestyle Mix
- Established single-family streets, urban condos, and new-build townhomes.
- Price Snapshot
- $450K – $750K single-family | Modern townhomes from $380K
Plano overview
A dense north Dallas suburb, Plano blends mature neighborhoods with reinvestment and culture. Shaded streets lead to performing arts venues, chef-driven dining, and recreation centers that keep residents active year-round. Low crime, strong city services, and community pride consistently place Plano on “best places to live” lists.
Lifestyle
Suburban convenience with urban perks: nightlife in Legacy West, art walks downtown, and nature preserves moments away.
Housing Snapshot
Established neighborhoods east of US-75 deliver attainable pricing, while west Plano offers luxury estates, gated enclaves, and new urban townhomes.
Plano neighborhoods to know
Match your wish list—from walkable arts districts to gated communities—with these buyer favorites. Mali can share recent closings, HOA nuances, and off-market conversations for each pocket.
Legacy West & West Plano
Corporate campuses, luxury condos, and amenity-rich master-planned communities with quick commutes to the Dallas North Tollway corridor.
Downtown Plano Arts District
Historic cottages, loft conversions, and transit-oriented developments surrounding the DART line, galleries, and chef-led restaurants.
East Plano Heritage Areas
Tree-lined streets, mid-century ranch homes, and refreshed parks offering approachable pricing near the Collin Creek redevelopment.
Plano ISD Village Neighborhoods
Communities such as Deerfield, Whiffletree, and Hunters Glen known for swim clubs, neighborhood events, and top-ranked campuses.
Oak Point & Nature Preserves
Homes near Oak Point Park, Rowlett Creek Preserve, and Lavon Lake trail systems—ideal for buyers prioritizing outdoor escapes.
Legacy Central & CityLine
Mixed-use districts with modern apartments, coworking, and dining that appeal to professionals seeking lock-and-leave convenience.
Population & demographic profile
Legacy West and the surrounding Plano neighborhoods blend an international workforce with long-time residents. The figures below reference recent American Community Survey (2023) estimates and city planning reports.
Total Population
293,286 residents
City of Plano 2024 estimate spanning 72 distinct neighborhoods.
Population Density
High
Urban mixed-use living with condos, townhomes, and Class A apartments — thousands of residents per square mile.
Median Age
39.3 years
2023 ACS data shows a seasoned-but-active professional cohort.
Women / Men
50.53% / 49.47%
145,185 women and 142,154 men per 2024 estimates keep demographics balanced.
Population by age group
- Under 1824%
- 18 – 3426%
- 35 – 5431%
- 55+19%
Education level
- Bachelor’s degree or higher58%
- Graduate or professional degree21%
- Some college or associate degree17%
- High school diploma or equivalent4%
Demographics
- Plano’s diversity continues to grow, with residents representing more than 90 countries and 40+ languages in local schools.
- Household incomes in west Plano average above $140K, reflecting technology, finance, and corporate leadership roles.
- A near 50/50 gender split—145,185 women and 142,154 men—reinforces balanced community representation.
- Daytime population swells as commuters arrive for work at Toyota, JPMorgan Chase, and Liberty Mutual campuses.
Lifestyle & recreation
- 85 parks, 98 miles of hike-and-bike trails, and preserves like Arbor Hills keep residents outside on sunny days.
- Dining spans Legacy West tasting rooms to globally inspired eateries along Coit Road and downtown’s McCall Plaza.
- Annual events—from the Plano Balloon Festival to Dickens in Downtown Plano—anchor the community calendar.
- City recreation centers, Plano Aquatic Center, and The Texas Pool offer lessons, leagues, and summertime relief.
Career opportunities in Plano
Plano’s “City of Excellence” moniker is backed by a resilient job market that attracts professionals across technology, finance, supply chain, and public service. Whether you are transferring with a Fortune 500 employer or launching a second act in municipal leadership, the city’s talent pipeline stays strong.
- Toyota Motor North America headquarters anchors Legacy West with a 100-acre campus
- Liberty Mutual regional hub and R&D teams along Headquarters Drive
- JPMorgan Chase’s Plano Operations Center employing 13,000+ team members
- Capital One financial services campus adjacent to State Highway 121
- FedEx Office headquarters and innovation labs near The Star
- Intuit technology center supporting TurboTax and QuickBooks platforms
- Frito-Lay and PepsiCo research, manufacturing, and corporate offices along Legacy Drive
Plano ISD schools
Filter by grade band to see campuses that prospective buyers ask about most often. Ratings reference recent GreatSchools data; confirm details with Plano ISD—programming and facilities evolve every school year. Plano’s academy pathways include Plano ISD Academy High School, Health Sciences at Plano East, and fine arts and IB tracks at the senior highs.
Skaggs Elementary (K-5)
ElementarySTEM focus with robotics teams, Destination Imagination, and strong literacy scores.
Andrews Elementary (K-5)
ElementaryGifted services, arts integration, and family engagement keep scores consistently high.
Wyatt Elementary (K-5)
ElementarySpanish enrichment, supportive PTA, and vibrant library programming.
Saigling Elementary (K-5)
ElementaryBeloved central Plano campus with dual-language support, leadership clubs, and a refreshed media center.
Employment & economy
- Headquarters for Toyota North America and FedEx Office sit alongside major offices for JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, Intuit, and Liberty Mutual—keeping high-paying roles close to home.
- Plano’s unemployment rate sits well below the national average with job growth projected at 44% over the next decade, and Dallas’ urban core is 20 minutes south for additional career depth.
- The City of Plano actively recruits talent through its careers portal, offering municipal roles in technology, public safety, recreation, and more.
Getting around Plano
- DART Red and Orange Line stations at Downtown Plano and Parker Road connect to Dallas, Richardson, and DFW job centers.
- GoLink on-demand zones and park-and-ride centers help residents skip traffic while staying car-optional.
- 30 minutes to DFW International Airport, 25 minutes to Dallas Love Field, and quick hops to Addison Airport for private travel.
- 20 minutes to North Dallas, 30 minutes to DFW Airport, 35 minutes to Downtown Dallas
Relocation checklist with Mali
Moving to Plano 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 Plano plan comes together smoothly.
- Summer highs reach the mid-to-upper 90s°F; fall and spring offer the most comfortable home-shopping weather.
- Plano continually invests in sidewalks, bike lanes, and smart traffic management—expect reliable infrastructure.
- Budget for property taxes that fund Plano’s ranked school system, parks, and public safety; homestead exemptions help offset costs.
- Ask Mali about Plano’s BEST Neighborhoods program to learn which HOAs host events, swim leagues, and volunteer projects.
Future developments & civic investment
- Transportation bonds approved in 2023 are funding arterial street resurfacing, intersection redesigns, and intelligent traffic systems to ease peak-hour congestion.
- The Schimelpfenig Library modernization will deliver expanded makerspaces, flexible study areas, and upgraded technology labs for residents of all ages.
- Plano Parks & Recreation is rolling out improvements across Jack Carter Park, Oak Point Park, and neighborhood playgrounds with new inclusive equipment and trail connections.