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Dallas County (part in Kaufman County) · TX

Moving to Mesquite, Texas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Living in Mesquite, TX means an established suburb just east of Dallas. Here I-30, I-635, I-20 and US 80 all meet. Mesquite is known as the Rodeo Capital of Texas and has a large city park system. This relocation guide walks through the parts of town, commutes, schools, costs and first steps.

At a glance

County
Dallas County, with part of the city in Kaufman County[11]
Population (2020 Census)
150,108[1]
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)
150,693[1]
Land area
48.48 square miles[1]
Owner-occupied homes (2020–2024)
62.8%[1]
Average commute (2020–2024)
32.1 minutes[1]
Main school district
Mesquite ISD (a small area is in Dallas ISD)[11]
City parks
76 parks[11]
Public transit
STAR Transit on-demand rides and a weekday shuttle to DART rail[12]

What is it like to live in Mesquite, Texas?

Mesquite is an established suburb on the east side of Dallas. It began in 1873 as a stop on the Texas and Pacific Railway. It grew from a farming town into a suburban hub. Its Big Town Mall, opened in 1959, was the first air-conditioned shopping mall in the country.

Today Mesquite is mostly a city of single-family neighborhoods, with about 62.8% of homes owner-occupied. Four major highways cross it: I-30, I-635, I-20 and US 80. The Texas Legislature named it the Rodeo Capital of Texas.

The city covers about 48 square miles, and part of it reaches into Kaufman County. Local employers include Mesquite ISD, Town East Mall, UPS, Canadian Solar and the city government, though many residents commute into Dallas.

Which parts of Mesquite should I look at?

Start with your commute. North Mesquite sits near I-30 and the Garland line. The Town East area, around I-635 and Town East Mall, is the city's retail center. Central Mesquite holds downtown, City Hall and the Mesquite Arts Center.

South and east Mesquite stretch toward I-20 and into Kaufman County. Browse homes for sale in Mesquite to see what each area offers right now.

How do you get around Mesquite?

Plan on a car. I-635 is the main route north toward Garland, Richardson and North Dallas. I-30 heads west to downtown Dallas and east toward Rockwall. Census data puts the average commute at 32.1 minutes, so test your route at rush hour.

Mesquite is not a DART member city, but it contracts with STAR Transit. STARNow on-demand rides cover Mesquite and connect to DART's Lawnview Station and Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center. A weekday shuttle also links Hanby Stadium with Lawnview on the Green Line. Check walkability at Walk Score.

How do schools work in Mesquite?

Mesquite ISD serves most of the city, and a small area is served by Dallas ISD. The district uses attendance zones and a School Locator to find the campus for an address. It also has transfer options and programs you can apply for.

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 Mesquite?

The city runs 76 parks, several recreation centers and the Mesquite Golf Course. Its pools include the City Lake Aquatic Center and an indoor natatorium. A trail system and disc golf add to the options.

The Mesquite Arts Center, at 36,700 square feet, hosts performing and visual arts. The city also has a farmers market, two library branches and yearly events such as Christmas in the Park and Pumpkinfest.

What costs should I plan for in Mesquite?

Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes are the key local cost. Your bill combines the city, county, school district and other units. Look up any Dallas County 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 will also choose your own electricity plan on Power to Choose. Budget for summer cooling, hail-ready roofing and insurance, and ask about HOA dues or special districts in newer subdivisions.

Each spring the appraisal district mails value notices. If a value looks high, you can protest, generally by May 15 or 30 days after the notice was mailed. The home value tool shows what similar homes are worth.

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

Compare Mesquite with nearby Garland and Dallas, or browse every Texas community guide. The home value tool helps if you are selling a home first.

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

Parts of town to know: Mesquite

  • Central Mesquite and downtownThe historic core around Galloway Avenue, with City Hall, the Mesquite Arts Center, the main hospital and established neighborhoods.
  • Town EastThe retail hub around Town East Mall and I-635, with neighborhoods close to shopping and freeway access north and south.
  • North Mesquite near I-30Neighborhoods between US 80, I-30 and the Garland line, close to DART's Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center for STARNow connections.
  • South Mesquite along I-20The southern side of the city near I-20 and Mesquite Metro Airport, with a mix of subdivisions and larger tracts.
  • East Mesquite and the Kaufman County sideThe part of the city that extends into Kaufman County, where tax paperwork goes to a different county appraisal district.

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

Homes for sale now — Mesquite

Search all homes in Mesquite

Common questions

What are the pros and cons of living in Mesquite?

Mesquite's strengths are freeway access and a large park system of 76 parks. I-30, I-635, I-20 and US 80 all cross the city. It also has an arts center, a golf course and yearly city events. The trade-offs are limited transit, since Mesquite is not a DART member, and an average commute of 32.1 minutes.

How is the commute from Mesquite to North Dallas?

Most drivers take I-635, the LBJ Freeway, north and west toward North Dallas, and rush-hour traffic can be heavy. Test your route at the time you will actually drive. Without a car, STAR's weekday shuttle links Hanby Stadium with DART's Lawnview Station on the Green Line.

Is Mesquite a good place to live?

That depends on your commute, budget and the kind of home you want. Mesquite offers established neighborhoods, a large park system and quick freeway access east of Dallas. Visit at different times of day and compare it with nearby cities. For crime information, contact the local police department or check its public data portal.

How do schools work in Mesquite?

Mesquite ISD serves most of the city, and a small area is served by Dallas ISD. The district assigns schools by attendance zone, and its online School Locator shows the campus for an address. Check official ratings on TXschools.gov and verify school assignment for any address directly with the district.

Does Mesquite have public transportation?

Mesquite is not a DART member, but STAR Transit serves the city. STARNow on-demand rides run weekdays 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., booked by app or at 877-631-5278. A weekday COMPASS shuttle connects Hanby Stadium with DART's Lawnview Station.

Where do I file my homestead exemption in Mesquite?

If your home is in Dallas County, file free with the Dallas Central Appraisal District once it is your principal residence. Homes in the Kaufman County part of Mesquite file with the Kaufman County appraisal district. The general deadline is before May 1.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Mesquite city, Texas (with Arlington, Garland, 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. Mesquite, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Public Transportation, City of Mesquite (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Parks & Recreation, City of Mesquite (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Mesquite Alerts: Emergency Notifications, City of Mesquite (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Solid Waste and Recycling, City of Mesquite (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Residents, City of Mesquite (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Events & Culture, City of Mesquite (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Attendance Zones, Mesquite Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Mesquite ISD home page, Mesquite Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Dallas Regional Medical Center, Dallas Regional Medical Center (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Texas School Report Cards, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Winter Weather, Ready.gov (FEMA) (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Tornado Preparedness, National Weather Service (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, DFW International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Dallas Love Field, City of Dallas (read 2026-09-24)
  26. 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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