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Denton County (county seat) · TX

Moving to Denton, Texas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Living in Denton, TX means a growing university city with a historic square. It also has a commuter rail line to Dallas and its own city-owned electric utility. Denton had 139,869 residents in the 2020 Census and an estimated 169,431 in 2025. This guide explains where to look, how schools and utilities work, and what to budget.

At a glance

County
Denton County (county seat)[2]
Population (2020 Census)
139,869[1]
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)
169,431[1]
Growth, April 2020 to July 2025
21.1%[1]
Land area
96.35 sq mi (2020)[1]
Average commute (ACS 2020–2024)
23.7 minutes[1]
City property tax rate (FY 2026–27)
$0.548485 per $100 of value[34]
Electric utility
Denton Municipal Electric (city-owned) serves much of the area[29]
Rail
DCTA A-train to Carrollton, connecting to DART[22]
Universities
University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University[42]

What is it like to live in Denton?

Denton is the seat of Denton County. It is one of the faster-growing cities in North Texas. The Census Bureau estimates it grew 21.1 percent between April 2020 and July 2025. The University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University shape the city’s calendar. They also shape its arts scene and rental market.

The historic courthouse square is the heart of downtown. It has shops, restaurants, music venues and a county history museum. Beyond the core, Denton spreads across 96 square miles. Most areas are car-based neighborhoods and newer subdivisions. The Census Bureau puts the average trip to work at 23.7 minutes. Check walkability for an address on Walk Score.

Which parts of Denton should I look at?

For older homes and walkable streets, start near the Square. The local historic districts on the west and north sides are also worth a look. Areas near UNT and TWU have more rentals and follow the semester schedule.

For new homes, look west around Rayzor Ranch. Or look south along the I-35E corridor near Medical City Denton. North Denton sits closer to North Lakes Park and Ray Roberts Lake. Robson Ranch, in the southwest, is marketed by its developer as a 55+ active adult community. Wherever you look, confirm the school district and the electric provider for the exact address. Both can change near the city’s edges.

How do I get around from Denton?

I-35E runs southeast toward Lewisville and Dallas. I-35W runs south toward Fort Worth. The two split in Denton. US 380 crosses the city east to west. Most errands are by car.

DCTA’s A-train runs 21 miles from the Downtown Denton Transit Center to Trinity Mills in Carrollton. There it connects to DART. Trains run every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on Saturdays. There is no Sunday service. Rides between the Downtown Denton Transit Center and MedPark are free. Denton also has GoZone on-demand rides from $1.50. Denton Enterprise Airport serves private and small planes (general aviation).

How do schools work in Denton?

Denton ISD serves most of the city. Parts of Denton are in Argyle, Krum, Ponder or Sanger ISD. Denton ISD posts its zone maps as PDFs, with no address lookup. If a home sits near a boundary, call the district.

Denton ISD takes transfer requests during a set window each spring. It offers choice programs such as STEM, two-way dual language and International Baccalaureate. Review official ratings on TXschools.gov. Check the school for any address directly with the district.

What is there to do in Denton?

The Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum sits in the 1896 courthouse. The free Denton Arts & Jazz Festival fills the North Texas Fairgrounds each September. The city’s library has three branches.

Outdoors, Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center opens onto more than 2,900 acres of forest and prairie by the creek. North Lakes Park covers 351 acres. The A-train Rail Trail runs about 19 miles south. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, north of town, surrounds a 29,000-acre lake.

What costs should I plan for in Denton?

Texas has no personal income tax, so property taxes are the main local cost. The City of Denton adopted $0.548485 per $100 for FY 2026–27. That is down from $0.595420. Denton County adopted $0.183394. The school district adds the largest share.

Electricity works differently here. Denton Municipal Electric is city-owned, and the city council sets its rates. So many homes buy power on their city utility account. Also budget for home insurance that covers hail. File your homestead exemption (a tax break on your main home) with Denton CAD.

How do I start my Denton home search?

Browse homes for sale in Denton. Compare them with nearby Lewisville and Flower Mound. Run payments with the mortgage calculator using the full local tax rate.

If you are selling elsewhere, check what your home is worth. Then schedule a call with Mariela to plan tours.

Parts of town to know: Denton

  • Downtown Square and the historic west and north sidesOlder homes and local landmarks around the 1896 courthouse square, close to shops, music and the A-train.
  • University areas near UNT and TWUStreets around two college campuses, with many rentals, older homes and a quick trip downtown.
  • West Denton and Rayzor RanchNewer shops and homes on the west side, shaped by the Rayzor Ranch Overlay District and near a city park with an amphitheater.
  • South Denton and the I-35E corridorOlder and newer homes near Medical City Denton, the MedPark A-train station and quick highway access.
  • Southwest Denton and Robson RanchA golf-course community that its developer markets as a 55+ active adult community, near I-35W.
  • North Denton and the lakesHomes near North Lakes Park, Texas Health Presbyterian Denton and routes to Ray Roberts Lake.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at TXschools.gov (TEA). Denton ISD, Argyle ISD, Krum ISD, Ponder ISD, Sanger ISD, Texas Education Agency ratings (TXschools.gov).

Homes for sale now — Denton

Search all homes in Denton

Common questions

What is it like to live in Denton?

Denton is a growing college city and the Denton County seat. Life centers on the historic square, UNT and TWU, and a busy arts and music calendar. Outside the core, most trips are by car. The A-train connects south to DART.

Can I choose my electricity provider in Denton?

Much of Denton gets power from Denton Municipal Electric. It is a city-owned utility, and the city council sets its rates. Under state rules, city-owned utilities decide whether to join retail electric choice. Confirm which utility serves the exact address before you buy.

Which school district serves Denton?

Denton ISD serves most of the city. Parts of Denton are in Argyle, Krum, Ponder or Sanger ISD. Denton ISD posts its zones as PDF maps. Check the school for any address directly with the district.

How much are property taxes in Denton?

The City of Denton adopted $0.548485 per $100 for FY 2026–27. Denton County adopted $0.183394. The school district adds the largest share. Denton ISD voters approved a 5-cent increase in November 2025. Homestead exemptions lower the taxable value.

How do I get from Denton to Dallas without driving?

Take DCTA’s A-train from the Downtown Denton Transit Center or MedPark to Trinity Mills in Carrollton. There you switch to DART rail toward Dallas. The A-train runs weekdays and Saturdays, but not on Sundays.

Is Denton affordable compared with other DFW suburbs?

It depends on the home and the address. Tax rates, utilities and HOA costs vary. Use the live listings and the mortgage calculator to compare Denton with nearby cities on the same budget. Include the full tax rate and your likely electric bill.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Denton city, Texas (with Fort Worth, Southlake, Grapevine, Flower Mound), U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Denton, Texas (coordinates, county seat, school districts), Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Attendance zones, Denton ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Student transfers, Denton ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Voters pass Denton ISD’s Prop A, KERA News (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Denton Square District, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Historic designations, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Historic tax exemptions, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Rayzor Ranch Overlay District, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Rayzor Ranch Park, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Robson Ranch, Texas, Robson Communities (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Development Districts (TIRZ), City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  14. North Lakes Park, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Civic Center Pool, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Water Works Park, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Library hours and locations, Denton Public Library (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, Denton Arts & Jazz Festival (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum, Denton County (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (read 2026-09-24)
  21. A-train Rail Trail, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  22. A-train, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Our history, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  24. GoZone on-demand, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Fare information, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Denton Enterprise Airport, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Medical City Denton, Medical City Healthcare (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, Texas Health Resources (read 2026-09-24)
  29. About DME, Denton Municipal Electric (City of Denton) (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Utilities, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Account Services, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Solid waste service requirements, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Residential cart guide, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Denton officials pass FY 2026-27 budget and tax rate, Community Impact (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Denton County adopts budget with lower tax rate, Cross Timbers Gazette (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Homestead exemptions, Denton Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  37. The protest process, Denton Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Emergency Warning Systems, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  39. When do the sirens sound? (FAQ), City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  40. When are the sirens tested? (FAQ), City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Emergency Notifications (Denton County Alerts), Denton County (read 2026-09-24)
  42. About UNT, University of North Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  43. About TWU, Texas Woman’s University (read 2026-09-24)
  44. North Central Texas College, North Central Texas College (read 2026-09-24)
  45. Vehicle Registration, Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  46. Property tax exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  47. Property tax protests and appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  48. Property tax basics, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  49. Starting a New Business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  50. Municipally-Owned Electric Utilities and Electric Cooperatives FAQs, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  51. Power to Choose (official PUCT electricity shopping site), Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  52. Moving to Texas (driver license), Texas Department of Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  53. New to Texas (vehicle registration), Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (read 2026-09-24)
  54. Register to vote, Texas Secretary of State (VoteTexas.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  55. Dallas/Fort Worth Climate Narrative, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  56. February 2021 Winter Event, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  57. North and Central Texas tornado climatology, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  58. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  59. Texas Water Code Section 49.452 – Notice to Purchasers, Texas Water Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  60. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  61. Texas Public Schools accountability ratings, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  62. Walk Score, Walk Score (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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