Denton County · North Texas community guide
Living in Celina (Denton County)
Celina, mostly in Collin County with a growing Denton County portion, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the metroplex, with a historic downtown square and many new master-planned communities.
Overview
About Celina (Denton County)
Settlers came to the area before Celina was established in 1876. The first postmaster, John T. Mulkey, named the town after his hometown of Celina, Tennessee.
Celina had 16,739 residents at the 2020 census and has grown rapidly since. The Dallas Business Journal ranked it the fastest-growing city in the metroplex in 2019, 2020 and 2021. In 2017 the city passed a gigabit ordinance to bring fiber internet to new homes, and Texas recognized it as the state's first gigabit city in 2022.
Who Celina (Denton County) suits
Celina suits buyers who want new construction in master-planned communities, a small-town downtown, and room to grow, with a longer commute in exchange.
At a glance
Celina (Denton County) by the numbers
Figures are sourced below with their dates. Market values change; confirm current numbers with Jamie before making decisions.
Housing
Homes & neighborhoods
Most homes are new construction in master-planned communities, plus older homes near the square and some acreage. Many new communities carry MUD or PID assessments, so Jamie reviews the full tax picture.
Homes for sale
Homes for Sale in Celina
MLS search coming soonSearch Homes in Celina
Live MLS listings for Celina (ZIP 75009, 76227) 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
Celina (Denton County) school districts
| District | TEA 2026 | TEA 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celina ISD | B (85) | B (87) | Serves most of Celina. |
| Prosper ISD | A (91) | A (91) | Serves some southern Celina addresses. |
High school campus ratings
- Celina High School: B (89) 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
Celina (Denton County) home prices
Zillow's Home Value Index puts the typical Celina home at $512,080 as of September 2026, down 8.9% 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 75009 (Celina): median list price $572,448, 462 active listings, 73 median days on market, 25.5% of listings with a price cut. Source: Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory.
- GFWAR/TRERC MLS, ZIP 75009 (Celina): 113 closed sales, median sold price $445,000, 90 days on market, 7.0 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
Celina (Denton County) 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 Celina | $0.5764 |
| Celina ISD | $1.2089 |
| Combined (before special districts) | $1.9712 |
Example only: on a home appraised at the typical Celina value of $512,080, the combined rate works out to about $10,094 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
Preston Road (SH 289) runs north-south through Celina, and FM 455 runs east-west toward Pilot Point and I-35.
- Downtown Fort Worth: about 76 minutes / 62 miles
- Downtown Dallas: about 54 minutes / 42 miles
- Downtown Denton: about 45 minutes
- Graford: about 151 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 State Park's Isle du Bois unit is about 20 minutes west, and the city's parks are growing with new neighborhoods.
Things to do
Notable attractions near Celina (Denton County)
- Historic districtHistoric Downtown Celina
Historic square with local restaurants, shops and community events.
- State parkRay Roberts Lake State Park (Isle du Bois unit)
Lake unit about 20 minutes west with camping and trails.
Everyday life
Shopping, dining & amenities
The historic square has local restaurants and shops, and everyday retail is growing along Preston Road, with Prosper and Frisco to the south.
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
Celina on the map
Use the layer button (top right of the map) to show TEA school district boundaries or FEMA flood hazard zones around Celina.
Map of Celina 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 Celina (Denton County)
Local FAQ
Celina (Denton County) questions
Is Celina (Denton County) a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Celina suits buyers who want new construction in master-planned communities, a small-town downtown, and room to grow, with a longer commute in exchange. Jamie is happy to tour Celina with you and talk through schools, commute, taxes and lifestyle.
How far is Celina (Denton County) from Fort Worth?
Celina (Denton County) is about 76 minutes (62 miles) by car to downtown Fort Worth without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.
What school districts serve Celina (Denton County)?
Celina ISD (B, 85 in 2026); Prosper ISD (A, 91 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 Celina (Denton County)?
Using 2025 adopted rates from the Texas Comptroller, the combined county, city and school-district rate is about $1.9712 per $100 of taxable value (Denton County$0.1859; City of Celina$0.5764; Celina ISD$1.2089). 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 Celina (Denton County) in?
Celina is in Denton County, Collin County. Property values are set by the appraisal district for the county where the property sits.
What is the typical home value in Celina (Denton County)?
Zillow's Home Value Index for Celina was $512,080 as of September 2026 (-8.9% year over year). For a specific home, ask Jamie for a comparative market analysis.
Is Celina in Denton County?
Mostly not. Celina is mainly in Collin County, but part of the city lies in Denton County. The county affects your county tax rate and appraisal district.
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 Celina?
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 Celina 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: Celina (Denton County) (history; 2020 U.S. Census population)
- OSRM routing (drive-time estimates)
- Official site: Celina
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 Celina (Denton County)?
Nearby: Prosper (Denton County) · Pilot Point · Aubrey · Frisco (Denton County) · All communities