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Dallas, Denton and Collin counties · TX

Moving to Carrollton, Texas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Living in Carrollton, Texas means an established suburb just north of Dallas. About 134,000 people live here, and the city has three rail lines and a historic downtown square. Carrollton spans Dallas, Denton and Collin counties, so the county, appraisal district and school district can change within one city. This guide explains how to sort that out and where to look first.

At a glance

Counties
Dallas, Denton and Collin[3]
Population (2020 Census)
133,434[1]
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)
134,562[1]
Land area
36.66 square miles[1]
Owner-occupied homes (2020–2024)
58.5%[1]
Average commute (2020–2024)
24.1 minutes[1]
School districts
Mostly Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD; parts in Lewisville, Dallas, Coppell and Plano ISDs[3]
Rail
DART Green Line (3 stations), DART Silver Line and the DCTA A-train[3]
Airports
DFW International about 5 miles southwest; Dallas Love Field about 8 miles south[3]

What is it like to live in Carrollton?

Carrollton is a mature suburb on Dallas's northern edge. It grew from 13,855 residents in 1970 to 82,169 in 1990, so much of the city was built during those two decades, and today its population is fairly stable.

Owners live in about 59% of homes, a higher share than in Dallas or Irving. Most people get around by car. Still, the city has three DART Green Line stations and a Silver Line stop. It is also where the A-train to Lewisville and Denton starts.

DFW Airport is about five miles southwest, and Dallas Love Field is about eight miles south. That makes Carrollton handy if you fly often.

Which parts of Carrollton should I look at?

Downtown Carrollton, around the historic square, mixes homes, shops and events. It has Green Line and Silver Line service. Trinity Mills, to the north, is a rail hub. The city plans new mixed-use building there, with homes, shops and offices together.

The central and southern neighborhoods are mostly in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. Many homes there date from the growth years of the 1970s and 1980s. North Carrollton, in Denton County, includes neighborhoods served by Lewisville ISD near Hebron High School.

Here is a simple way to start. If rail access matters most, look near Downtown Carrollton or Trinity Mills. If you want an older house with a yard in CFBISD, tour central and south Carrollton. If Lewisville ISD or Denton County taxes fit your plans, focus on the north.

How do you get around Carrollton?

I-35E runs through the west side, and the President George Bush Turnpike crosses the middle. The Sam Rayburn Tollway touches the far north end. Both are toll roads, and a TollTag costs half the ZipCash rate.

The DART Green Line stops at Downtown Carrollton, Trinity Mills and North Carrollton/Frankford. The DART Silver Line stops at Downtown Carrollton on its way to DFW Airport and Plano. DCTA's A-train starts at Trinity Mills.

How do schools work in Carrollton?

Most of Carrollton is in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. It runs Newman Smith, R.L. Turner and Creekview high schools. Lewisville ISD covers the northern sections, including Hebron High School. Small areas are in Dallas ISD, Coppell ISD and, in Collin County, Plano ISD.

Each district assigns schools by attendance zone and has its own programs of choice. Check official ratings at TXschools.gov. Confirm which school serves any address directly with the district.

What is there to do in Carrollton?

Downtown Carrollton hosts events on and around the square, such as the Trinity Nights series. The city also runs some well-loved spots. These include the Elm Fork Nature Preserve and Nature Center, the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum and the Rosemeade Rainforest aquatic center.

The city also has splash parks, disc golf, dog parks, Indian Creek Golf Club and the Oak Creek Tennis Center. There are two libraries, at Hebron & Josey and Josey Ranch Lake.

What costs should I plan for in Carrollton?

Your tax bill depends on the county and school district, not just the city. Once you own and live in the home, file your homestead exemption. You file it with the appraisal district for your county.

Older homes may need roof, plumbing or foundation work. Carrollton's IMPACT programs can help. They include minor home repair grants of up to $15,000 for exterior safety repairs, for owners who qualify. There is also a 90/10 sidewalk repair program.

Choose your electricity plan on Power to Choose, since Oncor delivers the power but does not sell it. Also budget for a homeowners policy that covers hail.

What should I do next if Carrollton is on my list?

Browse homes for sale in Carrollton. Compare them with the Farmers Branch relocation guide and the Lewisville relocation guide.

Then check your home value, run the mortgage calculator and schedule a call with Mariela.

Parts of town to know: Carrollton

  • Downtown CarrolltonThe historic square, with events, shops, homes and both DART Green Line and Silver Line service.
  • Trinity MillsA rail hub where the DART Green Line meets DCTA's A-train. It is planned for mixed-use growth.
  • Central and south CarrolltonOlder single-family neighborhoods near Josey Ranch Lake, mostly in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.
  • North Carrollton (Denton County)Neighborhoods in the Denton County part of the city. Most are served by Lewisville ISD near Hebron High School.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at TXschools.gov (TEA). Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, Lewisville Independent School District, Dallas Independent School District, Coppell Independent School District, Plano Independent School District.

Homes for sale now — Carrollton

Search all homes in Carrollton

Common questions

Where can I live between downtown Dallas and Carrollton?

Look along the DART Green Line and I-35E, which link Carrollton with downtown Dallas. Farmers Branch sits between the two, and south Carrollton near the Green Line keeps both trips easy. Test the drive at rush hour, and check how close the nearest station is.

Does choosing a cheaper electricity plan in Carrollton mean more outages?

No. Your retail electric provider only sells the plan and sends the bill. Oncor owns the poles and wires and delivers the power. It also fixes outages for every customer on its system. Compare plans on Power to Choose by price, contract length and fees.

Which school district serves my Carrollton address?

It depends on the address. Most of Carrollton is in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, and the north is in Lewisville ISD. Small areas are in Dallas, Coppell or Plano ISD. Check ratings at TXschools.gov. Confirm which school serves any address directly with the district.

Which county and appraisal district is my Carrollton home in?

Carrollton spans Dallas, Denton and Collin counties. Your county decides which appraisal district sets your value. It also decides where you file your homestead exemption and which tax office collects the bill. Look up the address on the appraisal district site before you make an offer.

Can I commute by train from Carrollton?

Yes. The DART Green Line stops at three Carrollton stations and runs through downtown Dallas. The DART Silver Line stops at Downtown Carrollton on its way to DFW Airport and Plano. The A-train runs from Trinity Mills to Lewisville and Denton.

Does Carrollton help homeowners with repairs?

Yes, for owners who qualify. The city's IMPACT programs include emergency repair grants. There is a minor home repair program of up to $15,000 for exterior safety repairs. There is also a 90/10 sidewalk repair program. Extra rewards apply in Neighborhood Empowerment Zones.

Should I choose Irving, Carrollton or Denton for a job and home?

Start with where you will work and how you want to live. Carrollton is an older suburb with three rail lines and a historic square. Irving has Las Colinas and quick access to DFW Airport, and Denton sits farther north on the A-train. Compare commutes, school districts and tax rates for specific homes.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Dallas, Irving, Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Lewisville cities, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. 2024 Gazetteer Files: Places, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Carrollton, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  4. New Residents, City of Carrollton (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Trash Pick-Up, City of Carrollton (read 2026-09-24)
  6. IMPACT: Home & Neighborhood Improvement Programs, City of Carrollton (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Parks & Recreation, City of Carrollton (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Transit Oriented Development (TOD), City of Carrollton (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Lewisville ISD, Lewisville Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Texas School Report Cards (TXschools.gov), Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Walk Score, Walk Score (read 2026-09-24)
  13. About DART, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  14. DART Rail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Silver Line Regional Rail Project, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  16. DART to Airports, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  17. A-train, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Airport Facts & Figures, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
  19. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Special Purpose Districts, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Notice to Purchaser of Special Taxing or Assessment District (TREC 59-0), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Dallas Central Appraisal District, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Homestead Exemption Application Filing, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Denton Central Appraisal District, Denton Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Tax Office, Dallas County (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Denton County, Denton County (read 2026-09-24)
  29. About Oncor, Oncor Electric Delivery (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Power to Choose, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Moving to Texas, Texas Department of Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  32. New to Texas, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Register to Vote, Texas Secretary of State (VoteTexas.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  34. National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas, NOAA National Weather Service (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Tornado Safety: During, NOAA National Weather Service (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Medical City Lewisville, Medical City Healthcare (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Hospital locations, Baylor Scott & White Health (read 2026-09-24)
  39. Texas Health Dallas, Texas Health Resources (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.

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