Palo Pinto County · North Texas community guide
Living in Graford
Graford is Jamie's home base: a small Palo Pinto County town and the eastern gateway to Possum Kingdom Lake, with an A-rated school district and a new secondary campus on the way.
Overview
About Graford
Graford is a small city of 669 residents (2020 census) in Palo Pinto County. Its school district, Graford ISD, earned an A (92) in TEA's 2026 ratings and is home to the Graford Jackrabbits. Voters approved a $59.95 million bond in May 2024, and the district says its new secondary school is set for completion in Fall 2026.
For many buyers, Graford's appeal is its location: it is the nearest town to the east side of Possum Kingdom Lake and the Morris Sheppard Dam, making it a popular base for lake homes, weekend retreats and rural acreage.
Who Graford suits
Graford suits buyers looking for a lake house or getaway near Possum Kingdom, rural acreage, or a small-school community with a top TEA rating.
At a glance
Graford by the numbers
Figures are sourced below with their dates. Market values change; confirm current numbers with Jamie before making decisions.
Housing
Homes & neighborhoods
In-town homes are few; most Graford-area real estate is rural acreage or lake property around Possum Kingdom. Zillow's Graford index includes lake-area homes, which is why its typical value is far higher than nearby towns. Wells, septic systems and shoreline permits are common due-diligence items.
Homes for sale
Homes for Sale in Graford
MLS search coming soonSearch Homes in Graford
Live MLS listings for Graford (ZIP 76449) 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
Graford school districts
| District | TEA 2026 | TEA 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graford ISD | A (92) | A (92) | Serves Graford and the surrounding area; home of the Graford Jackrabbits. |
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
Graford home prices
Zillow's Home Value Index puts the typical Graford home at $666,290 as of September 2026, up 2.5% 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 76449 (Graford / PK): median list price $689,000, 103 active listings, 137 median days on market, 9.8% of listings with a price cut. Source: Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory.
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
Graford property tax rates
2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value, from the Texas Comptroller:
| Taxing unit | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|
| Palo Pinto County | $0.2822 |
| City of Graford | $0.1514 |
| Graford ISD | $0.7616 |
| Combined (before special districts) | $1.1952 |
Example only: on a home appraised at the typical Graford value of $666,290, the combined rate works out to about $7,963 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: Palo Pinto County. This is general information, not tax advice.
Getting around
Commute & roads
SH 254 and SH 337 serve Graford, connecting to Possum Kingdom Lake, SH 16 and US 180; Mineral Wells is about 17 minutes away (OSRM estimate).
- Downtown Fort Worth: about 80 minutes / 66 miles
Drive times are routing estimates from OSRM without traffic; rush hour and highway construction can add significant time.
Outdoors
Lakes & recreation
Possum Kingdom Lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and the dramatic cliffs of Hell's Gate; Possum Kingdom State Park is on the lake's western shore.
Things to do
Notable attractions near Graford
- LakePossum Kingdom Lake
Brazos River Authority reservoir known for some of the clearest water in Texas.
- State parkPossum Kingdom State Park
Camping, cabins, boat ramp, fishing and hiking on the lake's western shore.
- Visitor informationPossum Kingdom Lake Chamber of Commerce
Local events, marinas, dining and lodging around the lake.
Everyday life
Shopping, dining & amenities
Graford has basic local services; groceries, healthcare and larger retail are in Mineral Wells, and marinas and restaurants dot the PK shoreline.
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.
Map
Graford on the map
Use the layer button (top right of the map) to show TEA school district boundaries or FEMA flood hazard zones around Graford.
Map of Graford 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 Graford
Local FAQ
Graford questions
Is Graford a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Graford suits buyers looking for a lake house or getaway near Possum Kingdom, rural acreage, or a small-school community with a top TEA rating. Jamie is happy to tour Graford with you and talk through schools, commute, taxes and lifestyle.
How far is Graford from Fort Worth?
Graford is about 80 minutes (66 miles) by car to downtown Fort Worth without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.
What school districts serve Graford?
Graford ISD (A, 92 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 Graford?
Using 2025 adopted rates from the Texas Comptroller, the combined county, city and school-district rate is about $1.1952 per $100 of taxable value (Palo Pinto County$0.2822; City of Graford$0.1514; Graford ISD$0.7616). 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 Graford in?
Graford is in Palo Pinto County. Property values are set by the appraisal district for the county where the property sits.
What is the typical home value in Graford?
Zillow's Home Value Index for Graford was $666,290 as of September 2026 (+2.5% year over year). For a specific home, ask Jamie for a comparative market analysis.
Why is Graford's typical home value so high on Zillow?
Zillow's Graford index includes lake-area homes around Possum Kingdom Lake that use Graford addresses, which raises the typical value well above in-town prices.
Which school district serves my PK property?
It depends on the parcel. Shoreline around Possum Kingdom falls in several districts, including Graford, Palo Pinto, Graham and Breckenridge ISDs. Confirm the district for a specific address with the appraisal district and the school district.
What's happening with Graford ISD's new secondary campus?
Graford ISD voters passed a $59,950,000 bond on May 4, 2024. The district says its new secondary school is set for completion in Fall 2026; follow progress on the Graford ISD bond site.
Where does Graford get its water, and do lake homes use wells or septic?
It depends on the property. Some homes are on a public water system, while rural and lake homes may use a water supplier, a private well or, for irrigation only, a BRA residential water-use permit to pump untreated lake water. Near the lake, septic systems are permitted by the BRA (BRA). Ask for utility bills and records.
How far is Graford from Fort Worth and Mineral Wells?
About 80 minutes (66 miles) to downtown Fort Worth and about 17 minutes to Mineral Wells by car without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.
Is Possum Kingdom Lake a constant-level lake? Has it flooded?
PK's level rises and falls with rainfall, drought and releases through Morris Sheppard Dam. The Brazos River Authority publishes current and historic reservoir levels. Before buying, review those, check the FEMA map for the parcel, and ask how the dock and shoreline handled past high and low water.
How do dock permits work at PK, and do they transfer when I buy?
Docks sit over BRA-owned lakebed, so they need a BRA On-Water Facility permit. When a home sells, the permit must be transferred to the new owner; BRA charges a one-time $75 application and inspection fee and no annual dock fee at PK. BRA recommends inspecting docks, walkways, retaining walls and septic before closing (BRA: Buying and Selling at PK).
Is Possum Kingdom Lake clean and safe to swim in? What about golden alga?
PK is known for clear water, and swimming, diving and boating are popular. Water quality can change, and golden alga has affected Texas reservoirs. Check the Brazos River Authority water-quality and golden alga resources for current conditions.
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.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Graford?
File with the Palo Pinto 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.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- Zillow Research, ZHVI by city (as of September 2026)
- Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory (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): Palo Pinto County
- Wikipedia: Graford (history; 2020 U.S. Census population)
- OSRM routing (drive-time estimates)
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 Graford?
Nearby: Possum Kingdom Lake · Mineral Wells · Graham · Jacksboro · All communities