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Plano Relocation & Lifestyle Guide

Living in Plano, Texas: schools, neighborhoods, and local insights

Plano blends established master-planned neighborhoods with lively dining corridors such as Legacy West. Buyers love the tree-lined streets, award-winning ISD, and easy access to major employment centers along the Dallas North Tollway and US-75.

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

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

Plano overview

Plano blends established master-planned neighborhoods with lively dining corridors such as Legacy West. Buyers love the tree-lined streets, award-winning ISD, and easy access to major employment centers along the Dallas North Tollway and US-75.

Plano 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.

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

Understanding Plano'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

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

  • 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.

Major employers

  • 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 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.

Skaggs Elementary (K-5)

10/10

Elementary

STEM focus with robotics teams, Destination Imagination, and strong literacy scores.

Andrews Elementary (K-5)

10/10

Elementary

Gifted services, arts integration, and family engagement keep scores consistently high.

Wyatt Elementary (K-5)

9/10

Elementary

Spanish enrichment, supportive PTA, and vibrant library programming.

Saigling Elementary (K-5)

8/10

Elementary

Beloved central Plano campus with dual-language support, leadership clubs, and a refreshed media center.

Rice Middle School (6-8)

9/10

Middle

Nationally recognized orchestra, math/science UIL teams, and technology electives.

Renner Middle School (6-8)

8/10

Middle

Project Lead the Way engineering pathways, strong athletics, and performing arts.

Haggard Middle School (6-8)

8/10

Middle

Large additional campus underway—set to be the newest school in the area with collaborative labs and STEM studios.

Murphy Middle School (6-8)

9/10

Middle

Award-winning band and robotics programs serving east Plano neighborhoods.

Plano West Senior High (11-12)

9/10

High

International Baccalaureate, AP course depth, and championship-caliber arts and athletics.

Plano East Senior High (11-12)

8/10

High

IB World School with health sciences, digital arts, and law & government academies.

Plano ISD Academy High School (9-12)

Specialty

High

Project-based STEAM academy near downtown Plano offering early college credit and industry mentorship.

Jasper High School (9-10)

9/10

High

Pre-senior high serving west Plano with award-winning orchestra, STEM academies, and UIL programs.

Plano Senior High (11-12)

8/10

High

Career & Technical Education partnerships and UIL championship heritage.

The Einstein School (Pre-K–12)

Specialty

All

Plano-based private academy for gifted and twice-exceptional learners with individualized pacing and STEAM focus.

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.

Selling your Plano home?

Get a free comparative market analysis to discover what your home is worth in today's Plano market.

Compare Plano 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.