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Collin County · TX

Moving to McKinney, Texas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Living in McKinney, TX means a historic downtown square and large master-planned communities. New construction is growing fast on the city's north and west sides. This guide shows which parts of McKinney to consider. It explains how its seven school districts and three electric utilities work, and what to check before you buy.

At a glance

County
Collin County (county seat)[2]
Population (2020 Census)
195,308[1]
Population estimate (July 2025)
236,001[1]
Land area
66.96 sq mi[1]
City property tax rate (2025-26 and 2026-27)
$0.412284 per $100[4]
School districts in city and ETJ
7 (McKinney ISD serves most of the city)[6]
Owner-occupied housing rate (2020–2024)
63.8%[1]
Mean travel time to work
27.8 minutes[1]
Distance to downtown Dallas via US 75
30 miles[11]

What is it like to live in McKinney, Texas?

McKinney is the Collin County seat. It sits about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas on US 75. The Census Bureau counted 195,308 residents in 2020 and estimated 236,001 by July 2025. It pairs a historic downtown square with large master-planned communities. New construction is on its north and west sides.

Daily life is suburban and mostly car-based, but the downtown square gives the city a walkable center with shops, a free trolley and year-round events. Housing ranges from older homes near downtown to brand-new builds in the growth areas.

Which parts of McKinney should you look at?

Historic Downtown and the older streets around it suit buyers who want character homes near the square. West McKinney holds Stonebridge Ranch, a master-planned community of more than 5,000 acres. Southwest McKinney includes Craig Ranch near SH 121. North of US 380, Trinity Falls and the newer Honey Creek district hold much of today's new construction.

Keep in mind that McKinney and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (the area just outside city limits) are split among seven school districts. Three electric utilities serve the city. Two homes a mile apart can have very different tax bills and services.

How do you get around from McKinney?

US 75 is the main route south to Plano and Dallas, and the McKinney EDC calls SH 121 the direct link to DFW International Airport. US 380 crosses the city east to west, and TxDOT is planning a US 380 freeway through the area.

McKinney National Airport is owned by the City. It starts commercial flights on November 11, 2026, with Avelo Airlines nonstops to five cities. There is no DART rail. Collin County Transit offers on-demand rides for eligible residents, and a free trolley loops Historic Downtown.

How do schools work in McKinney?

McKinney ISD serves most of the city. But land in the city and its ETJ is zoned to seven districts: McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Allen, Melissa, Lovejoy and Celina ISDs. Northwest McKinney includes Prosper, Celina and McKinney ISD zones. The southwest includes Frisco, Allen and McKinney ISD zones.

Each district assigns campuses by attendance zone, and McKinney ISD also offers programs of choice by application. Verify school assignment for any address directly with the district. Official state ratings are at txschools.gov.

What is there to do in McKinney?

The downtown square hosts festivals such as Arts in Bloom in April and Oktoberfest in September. Chestnut Square runs a farmers market every Saturday morning. The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary protects a 289-acre preserve. It has more than 6.5 miles of trails.

City parks include 229-acre Towne Lake Park with kayak rentals and 216-acre Bonnie Wenk Park with a dog park and amphitheater. TPC Craig Ranch has hosted a PGA Tour event since 2021. For everyday use, the City runs the Apex Centre recreation center with indoor pools. It also has two libraries: Roy & Helen Hall downtown and John & Judy Gay on Eldorado Parkway.

What costs should you plan for in McKinney?

Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes fund local services. The City's rate is $0.412284 per $100 of value for 2025-26. It stays the same for 2026-27. The City has no general homestead exemption. It does offer $90,000 for owners 65 and older or disabled.

Your full bill adds Collin County, your school district, Collin College and any MUD, PID or MMD. Many master-planned communities also carry HOA dues. Confirm the electric utility too. In co-op areas, you cannot shop retail plans.

What are the next steps if you are considering McKinney?

Browse homes for sale in McKinney. Compare them with nearby Prosper, Frisco and Plano. Plug every tax line into the mortgage calculator before you shop.

Touring new construction? Contact Mariela before your first model-home visit so she can represent you from the start.

Parts of town to know: McKinney

  • Historic Downtown and nearby older neighborhoodsThe walkable square around the 1876 Old Collin County Courthouse. It has shops, festivals, a free trolley and older homes on nearby streets.
  • Stonebridge Ranch (west McKinney)A master-planned community of more than 5,000 acres and 70-plus villages. It has lakes, aquatic centers, trails and a beach club.
  • Craig Ranch and Adriatica (southwest McKinney)A master-planned area near SH 121 with TPC Craig Ranch and the McKinney Soccer Complex. The Mediterranean-style Adriatica Village is nearby.
  • Trinity Falls (north, ETJ)A 2,000-acre Johnson Development community near US 75 and US 380. It has a 350-acre natural park on the East Fork of the Trinity River.
  • Honey Creek and far north McKinneyA newer growth area with the City's approved Honey Creek Municipal Management District. It is planned for trails, amenity centers and parks.
  • East McKinney and the US 380 corridorThe side of town near McKinney National Airport, US 75 and the planned US 380 freeway. It has a mix of older and newer subdivisions.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at TXschools.gov (TEA). McKinney ISD, Frisco ISD, Prosper ISD, Allen ISD, Melissa ISD, Lovejoy ISD, Celina ISD.

Homes for sale now — McKinney

Search all homes in McKinney

Common questions

How is McKinney different from Prosper and Frisco?

McKinney is larger than Prosper. It has a historic downtown square and a county-seat role, plus new master-planned growth on its north and west sides. Frisco's growth has followed its tollway corridors, with major sports venues along them. All three are car-based. Compare commute routes, school districts and full tax bills address by address.

What does McKinney's property tax look like?

The City of McKinney's rate is $0.412284 per $100 of value for 2025-26. The Council kept it for 2026-27. Collin County, your school district, Collin College and any special district add their own rates. The City has no general homestead exemption. But school districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value.

Which school district is my McKinney address in?

It could be one of seven: McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Allen, Melissa, Lovejoy or Celina ISD. McKinney ISD serves most of the city and has an online school locator. Check school assignment for any address with the district. Find official ratings at txschools.gov.

Does McKinney have its own airport with commercial flights?

Yes. McKinney National Airport, owned by the City, begins commercial service on November 11, 2026. Avelo Airlines plans nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Fort Myers.

Is Trinity Falls inside McKinney city limits?

Trinity Falls is in McKinney's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), not inside city limits. Its homes get city water. But the City's trash service is for homes inside city limits only. Ask the builder for all special-district notices. Confirm who provides each service.

Which electric company serves McKinney?

The City lists three power companies: Oncor, CoServ Electric and Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative. Oncor homes pick a retail electric provider. Co-op members buy power from their co-op. Check the address before you compare plans.

Do I need my own agent to buy a new home in McKinney?

You are not required to have one, but the builder's sales consultant represents the builder. Many builders require your agent to come with you on your first visit. Your own agent can review the builder's contract, incentives and special-district notices with you.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: McKinney city, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. McKinney, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  3. 2025 Tax Rates and Exemptions by Jurisdictions, Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  4. McKinney City Council Adopts FY27 Budget, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Tax Assessor, Collin County (read 2026-09-24)
  6. McKinney's city and ETJ land zoned for 7 school districts, Community Impact (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Attendance Zones & Maps, McKinney ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Choose McKinney ISD – Student Transfer, McKinney ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Attendance Zones, Frisco ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  10. 2026-2027 Attendance Boundaries, Prosper ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Infrastructure, McKinney Economic Development Corporation (read 2026-09-24)
  12. US 380 Environmental Impact Statement From Coit Road to FM 1827, TxDOT (Keep It Moving Dallas) (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Transit Services, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Downtown Parking & Trolley, City of McKinney (McKinney Main Street) (read 2026-09-24)
  15. McKinney National Airport home page, McKinney National Airport (City of McKinney) (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Water Billing, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Residential Trash Services, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  18. FAQs, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Service Areas, Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Outdoor Warning Siren System, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Early Warning Systems, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Emergency Management (Notify Me), City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Bonnie Wenk Park, City of McKinney Parks (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Towne Lake Park, City of McKinney Parks (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Erwin Park, City of McKinney Parks (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Gabe Nesbitt Community Park, City of McKinney Parks (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Parks Directory, City of McKinney Parks (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Apex Centre, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Myers Park & Event Center, Collin County (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, Heard Museum (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Library, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Old Collin County Courthouse, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Performing Arts Center, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Chestnut Square Historic Village, Chestnut Square Historic Village (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Events & Festivals, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  36. TPC Craig Ranch, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Medical City McKinney, Medical City Healthcare (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Special Financing Districts, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  39. Trinity Falls home page and FAQ, Trinity Falls (Johnson Development) (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Stonebridge Ranch Community Association, Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Adriatica Village, Adriatica Village (read 2026-09-24)
  42. Police, City of McKinney (read 2026-09-24)
  43. McKinney Independent School District, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  44. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  45. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  46. Clear as MUD, Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  47. Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices, Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  48. Roads & Projects, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  49. NTTA home page (TollTag and ZipCash), North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  50. Moving to Texas, Texas Department of Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  51. New to Texas, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (read 2026-09-24)
  52. Vehicle Safety Inspection Changes Take Effect January 2025, Texas Department of Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  53. Choosing an Electric Plan, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  54. Register to Vote in Texas, Texas Secretary of State (VoteTexas.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  55. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  56. 5 Tips for Buying New Construction, Freddie Mac (read 2026-09-24)
  57. Contracts (promulgated forms), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  58. Texas Public Schools (TXschools.gov), Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  59. Why Texas, Office of the Texas Governor, Economic Development and Tourism (read 2026-09-24)
  60. Property Tax Assistance, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (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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