Denton County · North Texas community guide

Living in Northlake

Northlake is a fast-growing town on I-35W in southwest Denton County, with large master-planned communities, Northwest ISD and Argyle ISD schools, and quick access to Alliance.

Overview

About Northlake

Northlake lies northwest of Grapevine Lake, about 10 miles northwest of Westlake, and covers about 17 square miles. It had 5,201 residents at the 2020 census and has grown quickly since with new master-planned communities.

Who Northlake suits

Northlake suits buyers who want new construction in planned communities with amenities, Northwest ISD or Argyle ISD schools, and fast access to I-35W, Alliance and north Fort Worth.

At a glance

Northlake by the numbers

Typical home value$488,319Zillow ZHVI, September 2026; -3.2% year over year
Population5,2012020 U.S. Census
CountyDenton County
Drive to downtown Fort Worth~38 minabout 32 miles (OSRM estimate, no traffic)
School rating (TEA 2026)B (82)Northwest ISD
ZIP codes76262, 76247, 76226

Figures are sourced below with their dates. Market values change; confirm current numbers with Jamie before making decisions.

Housing

Homes & neighborhoods

Most homes are newer construction in master-planned communities, such as Harvest on the Argyle line, plus some acreage. Many newer communities carry PID or MUD assessments, so Jamie reviews the full tax picture for each one.

Homes for sale

Homes for Sale in Northlake

MLS search coming soon

Search Homes in Northlake

Live MLS listings for Northlake (ZIP 76262, 76247, 76226) 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

Northlake school districts

DistrictTEA 2026TEA 2025Notes
Northwest ISDB (82)B (81)Serves most of Northlake.
Argyle ISDA (92)A (92)Serves some Northlake addresses.

High school campus ratings

  • Byron Nelson High School: B (89) in 2026
  • V. R. Eaton High School: B (82) in 2026
  • Argyle High School: A (92) 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

Northlake home prices

Zillow's Home Value Index puts the typical Northlake home at $488,319 as of September 2026, down 3.2% 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)

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

Northlake property tax rates

2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value, from the Texas Comptroller:

Taxing unitRate per $100
Denton County$0.1859
City of Northlake$0.2950
Northwest ISD$1.0841
Combined (before special districts)$1.5650

Example only: on a home appraised at the typical Northlake value of $488,319, the combined rate works out to about $7,642 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

I-35W runs through Northlake, with FM 407 crossing east-west toward Justin and Flower Mound, and FM 1171 heading east.

  • Downtown Fort Worth: about 38 minutes / 32 miles
  • DFW International Airport: about 45 minutes
  • Downtown Dallas: about 59 minutes / 44 miles
  • Downtown Denton: about 20 minutes
  • Graford: about 113 minutes

Drive times are routing estimates from OSRM without traffic; rush hour and highway construction can add significant time.

Outdoors

Lakes & recreation

Grapevine Lake is southeast of town, and master-planned communities offer pools, trails and parks.

Things to do

Notable attractions near Northlake

  • Master-planned communityHarvest

    Hillwood community built around a working community farm.

  • Events venueTexas Motor Speedway

    Major motorsports venue just southwest.

  • LakeGrapevine Lake

    Corps of Engineers lake southeast of town.

Everyday life

Shopping, dining & amenities

Newer retail is growing along I-35W and FM 407, with Alliance, Denton and Flower Mound a short drive away.

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

Northlake on the map

Use the layer button (top right of the map) to show TEA school district boundaries or FEMA flood hazard zones around Northlake.

Map of Northlake 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 Northlake

Local FAQ

Northlake questions

Is Northlake a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. Northlake suits buyers who want new construction in planned communities with amenities, Northwest ISD or Argyle ISD schools, and fast access to I-35W, Alliance and north Fort Worth. Jamie is happy to tour Northlake with you and talk through schools, commute, taxes and lifestyle.

How far is Northlake from Fort Worth?

Northlake is about 38 minutes (32 miles) by car to downtown Fort Worth without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.

What school districts serve Northlake?

Northwest ISD (B, 82 in 2026); Argyle 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 Northlake?

Using 2025 adopted rates from the Texas Comptroller, the combined county, city and school-district rate is about $1.5650 per $100 of taxable value (Denton County$0.1859; City of Northlake$0.2950; Northwest ISD$1.0841). 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 Northlake in?

Northlake 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 Northlake?

Zillow's Home Value Index for Northlake was $488,319 as of September 2026 (-3.2% year over year). For a specific home, ask Jamie for a comparative market analysis.

Can I have a private dock on Grapevine Lake?

Grapevine Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, and the Corps manages the shoreline, so private waterfront and docks are very limited. Most residents use public parks, ramps and marinas. Confirm shoreline rules with the Corps of Engineers.

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 Northlake?

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 Northlake 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

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 Northlake?

Nearby: Justin · Argyle · Trophy Club · Roanoke · Flower Mound · All communities