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Dallas County · TX

Moving to Duncanville, Texas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Living in Duncanville, TX means a small, older city in southwest Dallas County. It sits right on I-20 between Dallas and Grand Prairie. Duncanville covers about 11 square miles, and about two-thirds of its homes are owner-occupied. This relocation guide explains the parts of town, schools, getting around, costs and first steps.

At a glance

County
Dallas County[11]
Population (2020 Census)
40,706[1]
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)
38,915[1]
Land area
11.20 square miles[1]
Owner-occupied homes (2020–2024)
66.0%[1]
Average commute (2020–2024)
25.5 minutes[1]
School district
Duncanville ISD[11]
City parks
17 parks plus a nature preserve[14]
Public transit
STAR Transit on-demand and scheduled rides[13]

What is it like to live in Duncanville, Texas?

Duncanville is a small, established suburb in southwest Dallas County. It is part of the Best Southwest area with Cedar Hill, DeSoto and Lancaster. Settlement began in 1845, the town took the Duncanville name in 1882, and it incorporated in 1947.

The city is compact at about 11 square miles, and Census figures show about 66% of homes are owner-occupied. I-20 runs through the north side and US 67 through the east. So both downtown Dallas and Grand Prairie are a freeway drive away.

Census estimates show a population of about 38,900 in 2025, slightly below the 2020 count. That makes Duncanville one of the smaller cities in this part of the Metroplex, with an average commute of 25.5 minutes.

Which parts of Duncanville should I look at?

Because the city is small, think in terms of north and south of Wheatland Road, and closeness to I-20 or US 67. North Duncanville has the quickest freeway access. Central Duncanville holds City Hall, the library and the main high school campus.

South Duncanville leans toward Cedar Hill and Joe Pool Lake. Browse homes for sale in Duncanville to see current options in each part of town.

How do you get around Duncanville?

Most residents drive. I-20 carries traffic east toward Dallas and west toward Grand Prairie and Arlington. US 67 heads northeast toward downtown Dallas and south toward Cedar Hill. Census data puts the average commute at 25.5 minutes.

Duncanville is not a DART member city, but STAR Transit serves it. STARNow on-demand rides run weekdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and connect to DART's Red Bird Transit Center and UNT Dallas Station. Check address-level walkability at Walk Score.

How do schools work in Duncanville?

Duncanville ISD serves the city. The district offers an online School Finder for address lookups, choice programs you can apply to, and a transfer request process. Duncanville High School's campus is about 900,000 square feet, one of the largest school buildings anywhere by size.

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 Duncanville?

The city maintains 17 parks, including Armstrong Park, Lakeside Park and Red Bird Park, plus the Charles F. Ladd Nature Preserve and a bike path. The Duncanville Fieldhouse hosts basketball and volleyball tournaments and youth leagues.

Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park are next door in Cedar Hill. They offer camping, a swim beach, fishing and the DORBA mountain bike trail. The public library is on James Collins Boulevard.

What costs should I plan for in Duncanville?

Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes are the main local cost. Your bill combines the city, Dallas County, Duncanville ISD and other units. Look up any address on the Dallas Central Appraisal District site. File your homestead exemption once you move in. School districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value.

You also choose your own electricity plan on Power to Choose. Budget for summer cooling and for roof condition and insurance, since hail is common in North Texas. Many established homes may need updates, so plan a repair cushion.

Each spring DCAD mails value notices, and you can protest, generally by May 15 or 30 days after the notice was mailed.

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

Compare Duncanville with nearby Grand Prairie and Arlington, or browse every Texas community guide. If you are selling first, try the home value tool.

Then estimate a payment in the mortgage calculator and schedule a call with Mariela to plan a tour.

Parts of town to know: Duncanville

  • North Duncanville near I-20Neighborhoods closest to I-20, with the fastest drive toward Dallas, Grand Prairie and Arlington and nearby shopping.
  • Central DuncanvilleThe civic core around Wheatland Road, with City Hall, the public library, the recreation center and the high school campus.
  • South Duncanville toward Cedar HillThe south side, below Wheatland Road, closer to Cedar Hill, Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park.
  • East Duncanville near US 67The east side along US 67, with quick access to Dallas and the Red Bird area where STAR Transit connects to DART.

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

Homes for sale now — Duncanville

Search all homes in Duncanville

Common questions

What is Duncanville like to live in?

Duncanville is a compact, established suburb of about 11 square miles in southwest Dallas County, with roughly two-thirds of homes owner-occupied. It sits on I-20 and US 67 between Dallas and Grand Prairie, and Joe Pool Lake is next door in Cedar Hill. It has 17 city parks, a nature preserve and a large fieldhouse for youth sports.

Does Duncanville have public transportation?

Duncanville is not a DART member, but STAR Transit serves the city. STARNow on-demand rides run weekdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., booked by app or at 877-631-5278, and connect to DART's Red Bird Transit Center and UNT Dallas Station. Adult fares start at $2, with $1 fares for seniors and riders with disabilities.

Which neighborhoods in Duncanville should I look at?

Start with your commute. North Duncanville is closest to I-20, and the east side is closest to US 67 and Dallas. Central Duncanville is near City Hall and the library, and the south side leans toward Cedar Hill and Joe Pool Lake. Most homes are established, so focus on condition, roof age and updates. For crime information, contact the local police department or check its public data portal.

How do schools work in Duncanville?

Duncanville ISD serves the city. The district has an online School Finder to look up the campus for an address. It also has choice programs you can apply to and a transfer request process. Check official ratings on TXschools.gov and verify school assignment for any address directly with the district.

How does trash pickup work in Duncanville?

Republic Services collects trash twice a week and recycling once a week under a city contract. Brush and bulk items go out twice a month. North of Wheatland Road, pickup is in weeks one and three. South of it, pickup is in weeks two and four. Call Republic at 972-225-4207 or manage your account online.

How close is Duncanville to Joe Pool Lake?

Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park are in neighboring Cedar Hill, south of Duncanville. The state park has 350 campsites, a gravel swim beach, boat ramps and the DORBA trail for mountain biking and hiking. It also includes the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Duncanville city, Texas (with Arlington, Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie), 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. Duncanville, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  12. City of Duncanville home page (newcomer packet, utilities, alerts), City of Duncanville (read 2026-09-24)
  13. STAR Transit, City of Duncanville (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Duncanville Parks, City of Duncanville (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Trash, Waste & Recycling, City of Duncanville (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Duncanville ISD home page (enrollment, choice programs, School Finder), Duncanville Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Duncanville Fieldhouse, Duncanville Fieldhouse (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Methodist Southwest Medical Center (formerly Methodist Charlton Medical Center), Methodist Health System (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Cedar Hill State Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (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. Dallas Area Rapid Transit, 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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