Denton County · North Texas community guide
Living in Denton
Denton is the Denton County seat and a lively college town, with a historic courthouse square, a celebrated music scene and two universities, on the north edge of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
Overview
About Denton
Denton County was formed in 1846 and the city incorporated in 1866; both are named for pioneer and Texas militia captain John B. Denton. The railroad arrived in 1881, the University of North Texas was established in 1890 and Texas Woman's University in 1901, giving Denton a college-town identity that still sets it apart.
Denton had 139,869 residents at the 2020 census, making it one of the largest cities in North Texas. With more than 45,000 students enrolled at its two universities, the city has a younger, creative energy, and it is known for its music scene. The North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival and Thin Line Fest draw large crowds every year.
The 1896 Denton County Courthouse anchors the downtown Square, ringed by locally owned shops, restaurants and music venues. Beyond downtown, Denton stretches from established, tree-lined neighborhoods near the universities to newer master-planned communities on the south and west sides.
Who Denton suits
Denton suits buyers who want a real downtown and college-town culture, a wide range of price points, and access to both Dallas and Fort Worth via I-35E and I-35W, plus university employees and students' families.
At a glance
Denton by the numbers
Figures are sourced below with their dates. Market values change; confirm current numbers with Jamie before making decisions.
Housing
Homes & neighborhoods
Choices range from historic homes and bungalows near the Square and the universities to 1970s–2000s neighborhoods, newer master-planned communities on the south and west sides, townhomes, and acreage on the edges of town. Some newer communities carry MUD or PID assessments, so Jamie checks the special districts on every address.
Homes for sale
Homes for Sale in Denton
MLS search coming soonSearch Homes in Denton
Live MLS listings for Denton (ZIP 76201, 76205, 76207, 76208, 76209, 76210) are coming to this page soon. In the meantime, Jamie will happily send you current listings that match what you are looking for, including new and coming-soon homes.
Schools
Denton school districts
| District | TEA 2026 | TEA 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denton ISD | C (76) | B (80) | Serves most of Denton plus a large area of the county around it. |
| Krum ISD | C (79) | C (76) | Serves some addresses on Denton's northwest side. |
| Sanger ISD | B (80) | B (82) | Serves some addresses on the far north side. |
High school campus ratings
- Denton High School: C (79) in 2026
- Ryan High School: B (80) in 2026
- Guyer High School: B (84) in 2026
- Ray Braswell High School: B (80) in 2026
Ratings are Texas Education Agency A–F accountability ratings (overall score in parentheses), released August 2026. See campus details on TXschools.gov. School boundaries change and don't follow city limits; confirm the assigned schools for any address with the district.
Market notes · as of September 2026
Denton home prices
Zillow's Home Value Index puts the typical Denton home at $343,177 as of September 2026, down 3.1% from a year earlier. The index is a smoothed, seasonally adjusted measure of mid-tier single-family homes and condos, not a sale price for any one house.
For comparison, Zillow's Fort Worth index was $292,949 in the same month.
More local numbers (September 2026)
- Realtor.com, ZIP 76201 (central Denton): median list price $296,000, 49 active listings, 79 median days on market, 35.3% of listings with a price cut. Source: Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory.
- GFWAR/TRERC MLS, ZIP 76201 (central Denton): 6 closed sales, median sold price $389,900, 34 days on market, 6.9 months of inventory. Source: Greater Fort Worth REALTORS® ZIP Detail (Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center).
- Realtor.com, ZIP 76207 (west Denton): median list price $446,000, 122 active listings, 58 median days on market, 31.7% of listings with a price cut. Source: Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory.
- GFWAR/TRERC MLS, ZIP 76207 (west Denton): 40 closed sales, median sold price $420,990, 80 days on market, 5.8 months of inventory. Source: Greater Fort Worth REALTORS® ZIP Detail (Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center).
List prices (Realtor.com) and sold prices (MLS) measure different things and aren't directly comparable. Small markets can swing sharply month to month.
Values vary widely by street, lot size, age and condition, especially where acreage, waterfront or new construction is involved. Before you buy or list, ask Jamie for a free comparative market analysis built from current active, pending and sold listings in the NTREIS MLS.
Property taxes
Denton property tax rates
2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value, from the Texas Comptroller:
| Taxing unit | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|
| Denton County | $0.1859 |
| City of Denton | $0.5954 |
| Denton ISD | $1.2069 |
| Combined (before special districts) | $1.9883 |
Example only: on a home appraised at the typical Denton value of $343,177, the combined rate works out to about $6,823 a year before exemptions. A homestead exemption lowers the school-tax portion (school districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value, with an additional $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled, per the Texas Comptroller). Your actual bill depends on the appraised value, exemptions and any special districts.
Special districts (hospital, college, emergency services, MUD/PID and others) are not included and vary by property. Appraisal district: Denton County. This is general information, not tax advice.
Getting around
Commute & roads
Interstate 35 splits into I-35E (toward Dallas) and I-35W (toward Fort Worth) in Denton, and US 380 and US 377 cross the city. The DCTA A-train commuter rail runs from Downtown Denton to Carrollton, where it connects with DART.
- Downtown Fort Worth: about 44 minutes / 38 miles
- DFW International Airport: about 39 minutes
- Downtown Dallas: about 49 minutes / 39 miles
- Graford: about 117 minutes
Drive times are routing estimates from OSRM without traffic; rush hour and highway construction can add significant time.
Outdoors
Lakes & recreation
Ray Roberts Lake and Ray Roberts Lake State Park are a short drive north, and Lewisville Lake lies to the southeast. In town, the city's parks and trails include the Denton Branch Rail Trail.
Things to do
Notable attractions near Denton
- Downtown districtDowntown Denton Square
Historic courthouse square with locally owned shops, restaurants and live music.
- UniversityUniversity of North Texas
Major public research university founded in 1890, known for its music college.
- UniversityTexas Woman's University
Public university founded in 1901 with its main campus in Denton.
- Fair and rodeoNorth Texas State Fair and Rodeo
Annual late-summer fair, rodeo and concerts at the North Texas Fairgrounds.
- FestivalDenton Arts & Jazz Festival
Free spring festival of jazz, arts and food in Quakertown Park.
- State parkRay Roberts Lake State Park
Large state park north of Denton with camping, trails, swimming and fishing.
Everyday life
Shopping, dining & amenities
The Square and the surrounding blocks hold the city's best-known restaurants, coffee shops, bars and music venues. Everyday shopping, healthcare and dining spread along I-35E, I-35W, Loop 288 and US 380, and the two universities add arts, athletics and continuing education.
Due diligence
Utilities, internet & flood checks
- Electricity: parts of this area are open to retail electric choice (compare plans at PowerToChoose.org), while many rural and some city areas are served by an electric cooperative or municipal utility with no choice. The provider depends on the exact address.
- Water & sewer: inside city limits, service usually comes from the city or a water supply corporation. Outside city limits, homes often rely on a water supply corporation or a private well plus an on-site septic system (OSSF). Ask for well and septic inspections before closing.
- Internet: options range from fiber and cable in town to fixed wireless and satellite in the country. Check any address on the FCC National Broadband Map.
- Flood risk: look up the property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask your insurance agent about flood coverage, even outside a mapped flood zone.
- Groundwater: Denton County is in the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, which has well registration rules.
Map
Denton on the map
Use the layer button (top right of the map) to show TEA school district boundaries or FEMA flood hazard zones around Denton.
Map of Denton loads here…
School district and flood layers are for general reference only. Verify districts with the TEA School District Locator or the district, and flood zones with the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and a survey or elevation certificate. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Keep reading
More on Denton
Local FAQ
Denton questions
Is Denton a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Denton suits buyers who want a real downtown and college-town culture, a wide range of price points, and access to both Dallas and Fort Worth via I-35E and I-35W, plus university employees and students' families. Jamie is happy to tour Denton with you and talk through schools, commute, taxes and lifestyle.
How far is Denton from Fort Worth?
Denton is about 44 minutes (38 miles) by car to downtown Fort Worth without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.
What school districts serve Denton?
Denton ISD (C, 76 in 2026); Krum ISD (C, 79 in 2026); Sanger ISD (B, 80 in 2026). Ratings are TEA 2026 A–F accountability ratings. District boundaries do not follow city limits, so always confirm the school district for a specific address.
What is the property tax rate in Denton?
Using 2025 adopted rates from the Texas Comptroller, the combined county, city and school-district rate is about $1.9883 per $100 of taxable value (Denton County$0.1859; City of Denton$0.5954; Denton ISD$1.2069). Special districts such as hospital, college, emergency services or MUD/PID districts can add to this. Check the exact property with its appraisal district.
What county and appraisal district is Denton in?
Denton is in Denton County. Property values are set by the appraisal district for the county where the property sits.
What is the typical home value in Denton?
Zillow's Home Value Index for Denton was $343,177 as of September 2026 (-3.1% year over year). For a specific home, ask Jamie for a comparative market analysis.
Is there commuter rail from Denton?
Yes. The DCTA A-train runs from the Downtown Denton Transit Center south through Lewisville to Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton, where riders can transfer to DART. Check DCTA for current schedules.
Which part of Denton is in which school district?
Most of Denton is in Denton ISD, but some northwest and north-side addresses are in Krum ISD or Sanger ISD, and district lines don't follow city limits. Confirm the district for each address before you buy.
How close is Ray Roberts Lake?
Ray Roberts Lake is a Corps of Engineers reservoir north of Denton, and Ray Roberts Lake State Park has camping, trails, swimming and boat ramps at its Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch units. The Corps manages the shoreline, so private waterfront is limited.
What are MUD and PID taxes, and how do I check them?
Many newer North Texas communities are in a municipal utility district (MUD), public improvement district (PID) or similar special district that adds a tax or assessment on top of county, city and school taxes. Texas requires sellers to give buyers a notice about many of these districts. Ask for the latest tax bill and look up the property on the Denton Central Appraisal District (or the county's appraisal district) before you write an offer.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Denton?
File with the Denton County appraisal district once the home is your principal residence; there is no fee. School districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value, plus an additional $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled (Texas Comptroller). The general deadline is before May 1. Find the district's contact information in the Comptroller's county directory.
Does Denton flood, and how do I check a property?
Flood risk is property-specific, often tied to creeks, rivers and low areas. Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, ask for the seller's disclosure and any elevation certificate, and get a flood-insurance quote even outside a mapped flood zone.
What internet service is available?
It varies by address, from fiber and cable in town to fixed wireless and satellite in rural areas. Enter the exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map and ask the seller what they use before you buy.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- Zillow Research, ZHVI by city (as of September 2026)
- Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory (September 2026)
- Greater Fort Worth REALTORS® ZIP Detail (Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center) (September 2026)
- Texas Education Agency, 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings and TXschools.gov
- Texas Comptroller, 2025 county, city and school district tax rates · Comptroller exemptions
- Appraisal district contacts (Comptroller county directory): Denton County
- Wikipedia: Denton (history; 2020 U.S. Census population)
- OSRM routing (drive-time estimates)
- Official site: Denton
This content is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and deadlines change. Confirm details with the appropriate agency, attorney, CPA or lender.
Explore nearby
Thinking about Denton?
Nearby: Corinth · Krum · Sanger · Argyle · Lake Dallas · All communities