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Dallas County (small parts in Collin and Rockwall counties) · TX

Moving to Garland, Texas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Living in Garland, TX puts you in an established city just northeast of Dallas. It has DART light rail, a historic downtown square and Lake Ray Hubbard on its eastern edge. Garland is mostly built out, with neighborhoods from many decades and a few newer pockets. This relocation guide covers the parts of town, school choice, costs and your first steps.

At a glance

County
Dallas County, with small parts in Collin and Rockwall counties[15]
Population (2020 Census)
246,018[1]
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)
249,625[1]
Land area
57.13 square miles[1]
Owner-occupied homes (2020–2024)
61.6%[1]
Average commute (2020–2024)
29.7 minutes[1]
Main school district
Garland ISD (districtwide school choice)[13]
Electricity
Garland Power & Light serves about 85% of residents[12]
Rail
DART Blue Line: Downtown Garland and Forest/Jupiter stations[15]

What is it like to live in Garland, Texas?

Garland is a large, established suburb directly northeast of Dallas. It grew from three small communities, including Duck Creek, and was incorporated in 1891. Today it is mostly built out, so you will find neighborhoods from many decades rather than one style of house.

Two things set Garland apart from many Dallas suburbs. The city owns its electric utility, Garland Power & Light. And Garland is a DART member city, with light rail stations downtown and at Forest/Jupiter.

Census figures show about 61.6% of homes are owner-occupied, and the city spans about 57 square miles. Most of Garland is in Dallas County, with small pieces in Collin and Rockwall counties. This affects where you file tax paperwork.

Which parts of Garland should I look at?

Think of Garland in five parts. North Garland centers on Firewheel Town Center at the President George Bush Turnpike and SH 78. Downtown Garland has the historic square and a DART station. Northwest Garland sits near Richardson and the Forest/Jupiter station.

Central Garland holds many of the city's older neighborhoods. South Garland runs toward I-30 and Lake Ray Hubbard. Browse homes for sale in Garland to see what each area offers now.

How do you get around Garland?

Most people drive. I-30, I-635 (LBJ Freeway), the President George Bush Turnpike and SH 78 all serve the city. Belt Line Road loops through it. Census data puts the average commute at 29.7 minutes.

Because Garland belongs to DART, you can ride the Blue Line from Downtown Garland or Forest/Jupiter into Dallas. DART's GoLink on-demand service covers set zones across its member cities. Check address-level walkability at Walk Score.

Do you work near DFW Airport or in Plano? DART's Silver Line commuter rail opened in October 2025. It adds another option once you transfer in the system.

How do schools work in Garland?

Most of Garland is in Garland ISD, which also serves Rowlett and Sachse. Some edges of the city fall into Richardson, Mesquite or Dallas ISD. Garland ISD uses districtwide school choice. Parents rank up to six schools or magnet programs. Seats are assigned by lottery, with priorities such as distance and siblings.

There is no guaranteed home-zone seat, so note the application windows. Look up official ratings on the Texas Education Agency's TXschools.gov. Verify school assignment for any address directly with the district.

What is there to do in Garland?

Downtown Garland's square, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, hosts events, restaurants and public art. The Granville Arts Center and the historic Plaza Theatre stage performances nearby.

Firewheel Town Center is an open-air mall in north Garland, and Hawaiian Falls is a seasonal water park. Lake Ray Hubbard, a large reservoir owned by the City of Dallas, lines the city's eastern side. City parks include trails, a dog park and a disc golf course.

What costs should I plan for in Garland?

Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes are the main local cost. Your bill combines the city, county, school district and other taxing units. Look up any address on the Dallas Central Appraisal District site. File your homestead exemption once you live there; school districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value.

Electricity works differently here. Garland Power & Light serves about 85% of residents, so most households do not shop for a retail electric provider. Budget for summer cooling, a hail-ready roof and insurance, and ask about HOA dues in newer subdivisions.

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

Compare Garland with nearby Mesquite and Plano, or browse every Texas community guide. If you own a home now, the home value tool gives you a starting estimate.

Then run numbers in the mortgage calculator and schedule a call with Mariela to plan a tour of the parts of Garland that fit.

Parts of town to know: Garland

  • North Garland and FirewheelNewer subdivisions around Firewheel Town Center, the open-air mall at the President George Bush Turnpike and SH 78.
  • Downtown GarlandThe historic square, arts venues and a DART Blue Line station, with older homes on the surrounding streets.
  • Northwest Garland near Forest/JupiterEstablished neighborhoods near Richardson and the Forest/Jupiter DART station, with quick access to I-635 and the turnpike.
  • Central Garland and Duck CreekThe heart of the city, with many of Garland's older ranch-style neighborhoods, mature trees and Belt Line Road access.
  • South Garland near I-30 and Lake Ray HubbardNeighborhoods between I-635 and I-30 that reach toward Lake Ray Hubbard, with the I-30 causeway heading east to Rockwall.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at TXschools.gov (TEA). Garland ISD, Richardson ISD, Mesquite ISD, Dallas ISD.

Homes for sale now — Garland

Search all homes in Garland

Common questions

Can I choose my electricity provider in Garland?

Usually not. Garland Power & Light, the city-owned utility, serves about 85% of residents. The state's retail choice applies only outside city-owned utility and co-op areas. If your address is outside GP&L's territory, you shop for a plan on the state's Power to Choose website. Ask the seller or the city which provider serves the address.

How does school choice work in Garland ISD?

Parents rank up to six schools or magnet programs in order of preference. A lottery gives one offer, based on the highest-ranked school with an open seat, with priorities such as proximity and siblings. The window for grades 1–12 runs from December 1 to January 12. Pre-K and kindergarten apply April 1–30.

Is Garland on DART rail?

Yes. Garland is a DART member city, and the Blue Line stops at Downtown Garland and Forest/Jupiter stations. DART also runs GoLink, an on-demand service within set zones. Most residents still drive for errands, so plan for a car.

What is the area south of I-30 near Lake Ray Hubbard like?

It is the part of Garland closest to the lake and to the I-30 causeway toward Rockwall. Housing includes established subdivisions and some newer construction. Confirm the school district for each address, because some homes near the Mesquite and Dallas lines are in other districts. For crime information, contact the local police department or check its public data portal.

Which part of Garland has walking trails and community events?

Downtown Garland's square is the center for city events, restaurants and public art, with the Granville Arts Center nearby. The city's parks department publishes a trails map and a park finder for every neighborhood. Firewheel Town Center in north Garland adds shopping and a movie theater.

How do I file a homestead exemption in Garland?

Most Garland homes are in Dallas County. So you file free with the Dallas Central Appraisal District once the home is your main residence. The general deadline is before May 1. Homes in the small Collin or Rockwall county portions file with those counties' appraisal districts.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Garland city, Texas (with Arlington, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Duncanville), U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Dallas Central Appraisal District (homestead filing, property search, uFILE protest), Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Moving to Texas, Texas Department of Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  6. New to Texas, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Register to Vote, Texas Secretary of State (VoteTexas.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Choosing an Electric Plan, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Clear as MUD, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Garland Power & Light: Home and About Us, City of Garland / Garland Power & Light (read 2026-09-24)
  12. New Resident Info, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  13. School Choice & Magnet Application Guide, Garland Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Garland ISD home page, Garland Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Garland, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Garland Emergency Notification System, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Sanitation, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Health System (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Texas School Report Cards, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Winter Weather, Ready.gov (FEMA) (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Tornado Preparedness, National Weather Service (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, DFW International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Dallas Love Field, City of Dallas (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Parks & Recreation, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Downtown Garland, City of Garland Downtown Development Office (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Firewheel Town Center, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Lake Ray Hubbard, Wikipedia (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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