Wise County · North Texas community guide
Living in Bridgeport
Bridgeport, the Stagecoach Capital of Texas, offers lake living near Lake Bridgeport and wide-open Wise County country.
Overview
About Bridgeport
Bridgeport's history began in 1860, when a charter was granted to build a bridge across the West Fork of the Trinity River. The bridge carried the Butterfield Overland Mail stage route in 1860–61, and in 2009 the Texas Legislature named Bridgeport the Stagecoach Capital of Texas.
The city had 5,923 residents at the 2020 census.
Who Bridgeport suits
Bridgeport suits buyers who want lake access, acreage and outdoor recreation at prices below many metroplex suburbs.
At a glance
Bridgeport by the numbers
Figures are sourced below with their dates. Market values change; confirm current numbers with Jamie before making decisions.
Housing
Homes & neighborhoods
Expect in-town homes, lake-area homes around Lake Bridgeport and rural acreage, often with wells and septic systems.
Homes for sale
Homes for Sale in Bridgeport
MLS search coming soonSearch Homes in Bridgeport
Live MLS listings for Bridgeport (ZIP 76426) 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
Bridgeport school districts
| District | TEA 2026 | TEA 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport ISD | C (74) | D (66) | Serves Bridgeport. |
High school campus ratings
- Bridgeport High School: B (84) 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
Bridgeport home prices
Zillow's Home Value Index puts the typical Bridgeport home at $220,992 as of September 2026, down 1.7% 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 76426 (Bridgeport): median list price $351,250, 86 active listings, 75 median days on market, 22.3% 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
Bridgeport property tax rates
2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value, from the Texas Comptroller:
| Taxing unit | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|
| Wise County | $0.2175 |
| City of Bridgeport | $0.6437 |
| Bridgeport ISD | $0.6669 |
| Combined (before special districts) | $1.5281 |
Example only: on a home appraised at the typical Bridgeport value of $220,992, the combined rate works out to about $3,377 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: Wise County. This is general information, not tax advice.
Getting around
Commute & roads
US 380 runs east to Decatur and west toward Jacksboro, and SH 114 connects southeast toward Boyd and the Alliance area.
- Downtown Fort Worth: about 60 minutes / 46 miles
- Graford: about 69 minutes
Drive times are routing estimates from OSRM without traffic; rush hour and highway construction can add significant time.
Outdoors
Lakes & recreation
Lake Bridgeport, west of the city, is a Tarrant Regional Water District reservoir for boating and fishing. Bridgeport Falls is on the West Fork of the Trinity, and the city-run Northwest OHV Park offers about 300 acres of trails for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs and Jeeps.
Things to do
Notable attractions near Bridgeport
- LakeLake Bridgeport
Tarrant Regional Water District reservoir for boating and fishing.
- Off-road parkNorthwest OHV Park
City-operated park with about 300 acres of off-road trails.
Everyday life
Shopping, dining & amenities
Local restaurants and shops serve Bridgeport, with larger retail in Decatur.
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: Wise County is in the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, which has well registration and permitting rules.
Map
Bridgeport on the map
Use the layer button (top right of the map) to show TEA school district boundaries or FEMA flood hazard zones around Bridgeport.
Map of Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport
Local FAQ
Bridgeport questions
Is Bridgeport a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Bridgeport suits buyers who want lake access, acreage and outdoor recreation at prices below many metroplex suburbs. Jamie is happy to tour Bridgeport with you and talk through schools, commute, taxes and lifestyle.
How far is Bridgeport from Fort Worth?
Bridgeport is about 60 minutes (46 miles) by car to downtown Fort Worth without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.
What school districts serve Bridgeport?
Bridgeport ISD (C, 74 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 Bridgeport?
Using 2025 adopted rates from the Texas Comptroller, the combined county, city and school-district rate is about $1.5281 per $100 of taxable value (Wise County$0.2175; City of Bridgeport$0.6437; Bridgeport ISD$0.6669). 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 Bridgeport in?
Bridgeport is in Wise County. Property values are set by the appraisal district for the county where the property sits.
What is the typical home value in Bridgeport?
Zillow's Home Value Index for Bridgeport was $220,992 as of September 2026 (-1.7% year over year). For a specific home, ask Jamie for a comparative market analysis.
Why is Bridgeport called the Stagecoach Capital of Texas?
The Texas Legislature gave Bridgeport the title in 2009, recognizing its bridge on the 1860–61 Butterfield Overland Mail stage route.
Are there homes for sale on Lake Bridgeport?
Yes, waterfront and water-view homes and lots come up around Lake Bridgeport, a Tarrant Regional Water District reservoir. Check shoreline rules with TRWD, plus septic, water source and flood zone.
How does ag exemption work on Wise County land?
"Ag exemption" usually means open-space agricultural valuation set by the Wise County appraisal district. Each district publishes its own use and acreage guidelines. If land changes to a non-agricultural use, rollback taxes can be due for the previous three years (Texas Comptroller). Ask the CAD before you buy.
Does Bridgeport 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.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Bridgeport?
File with the Wise 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.
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)
- 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): Wise County
- Wikipedia: Bridgeport (history; 2020 U.S. Census population)
- OSRM routing (drive-time estimates)
- Official site: Bridgeport
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 Bridgeport?
Nearby: Decatur · Jacksboro · Springtown · All communities