A Slower-paced East Texas city with a fast-paced school district
The city of Bullard was initially founded as a small community centered around a railway station in the 1800s and while it may have added a few streets since then, the rural feel and slower pace of life remains. “Bullard is where a lot of people want to be because it is close to south Tyler, but you’re not in the city,” says Maribel Cantu, local realtor with Fathom Realty. “It’s more rural, you’re close to Lake Palestine, and it’s just a better quality of life.”
While the population is under 5,000, the city has seen tremendous growth, with an increase of 34.7% between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census. Tyler is 15 miles away and has major medical and industrial hubs that employ many Bullard residents. However, the city’s students attend schools in the Bullard Independent School District, one of the highest-rated districts in East Texas. “It’s really more of a bedroom community to Tyler, but with the bonus of really great schools,” says Matt McKeethan, Broker and Owner of Excel Properties.
Residents of Bullard Ridge enjoy the peaceful rural environment.
Residents of Bullard enjoy beautiful views of Lake Palestine throughout the year.
Downtown Tyler is just a short 20 mile drive away from Bullard.
The staff at Bullard Intermediate School believes that hard work builds a better future.
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Bullard ISD is highly rated
The Bullard Independent School District serves about 3,000 students and according to the Texas Education Agency, it is one of the best systems in East Texas, receiving a district score of 95. The system received a $72,000 grant in 2024 to fund 40 innovative projects and programs and is home to several high-scoring schools, including Bullard Primary School, Bullard Elementary, Bullard Intermediate School and Bullard Middle School, all of which receive an A-minus rating from Niche. The B-plus-rated Bullard High School offers numerous career and technical education courses in fields ranging from hospitality and tourism to architecture and construction.
The Brook Hill School is a highly rated private education option that attracts students from all over the world. The A-plus rated institution serves Grades K-12 and maintains an impressive student-teacher ratio of 9:1. Smith County’s top ranked high school, Brook Hill emphasizes college prep. Graduates regularly get into top universities across the country like Harvard and Princeton.
Bullard Primary School embraces parent involvement and understands its importance.
Bullard Elementary School is a great choice for younger students in Bullard
Meaningful work at Bullard Middle School engages students in learning.
Bullard High School serves the bright students of Bullard.
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Lake Palestine is a popular weekend retreat
The Bullard Kids Park serves as the hub for recreation here. The open green space sits in the middle of downtown and features playgrounds, picnic areas and a pavilion. The city is upgrading the park with new features, including a walking trail and exercise stations. Lake Palestine is 11 miles away and is a popular weekend destination for boating enthusiasts. Days on the water are spent wakeboarding or waterskiing, and the 25,000-acre reservoir is renowned for its bass fishing opportunities. The Emerald Bay Club and Eagle’s Bluff Country Club both sit on the shores of the lake and offer private championship-level golf courses and other classic amenities like tennis courts and swimming pools. Other recreational activities include hunting and camping.
The American Freedom Museum was opened in 2010 to honor veterans and active military, with more than 650 artifacts on display. Additionally, the Hall of Freedom highlights the major conflicts faced by the United States, while the Hall of Presidents features a signed document from every commander in chief beginning with George Washington.
Bullard Kids Park has a playground, pavilion and more for Bullard Families to enjoy.
Bullard residents enjoy boating on Lake Palestine often due to the easy water access.
Lake Palestine offers a vast body of water for Bullard residents to explore.
Opened in 2010, The American Freedom Museum in Bullard honors veterans and active military.
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Historic homes and modern farmhouses
The city offers numerous housing options, from large estates on one-acre lots to historic homes and new construction. The Meadows East Subdivision features modern farmhouse builds, while classic ranch-style homes can be found in the Bullard Creek and Cherokee Ridge subdivisions. Pecan Valley Ranch is a gated community with stately brick houses on lots that often run over an acre. Historic Craftsman-style homes from the early 1900s are a popular style close to downtown. The average home sale price over the past 12 months is $510,089, up 12% from the previous 12 months. Empty plots of land are available throughout the city and sell for an average of $37,000 for a quarter acre. Bullard has higher property taxes than other cities in East Texas.
Classic ranch homes can be found in the Bullard Creek neighborhood of Bullard.
Bullard home buyers can find modern farmhouses in the The Meadows East Subdivision.
Stately brick homes can be found in the Pecan Valley Ranch neighborhood of Bullard.
Historical craftsman homes can be found near in Bullard near the city center.
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Downtown Bullard’s local shops and restaurants
A handful of shops and restaurants are centered around downtown. Hondo & Shorty’s is a classic, no-frills eatery serving tasty cheeseburger and chicken fried steak. Other popular dining options include Milano’s Pizza Bullard and Benito’s Italian Restaurant. Whataburger is one of the numerous fast-food options scattered throughout downtown. The Kierpersol Winery is 4 miles from downtown and was recently named the 2024 best winery in Texas by Rodeo Uncorked. And while the local favorite is now getting attention statewide, Kiepersol has long been a favorite of Bullard residents. “Everybody loves it,” Cantu says, “It’s a cool place to go to try the different wines and have a nice dinner.” Brookshire’s provides close groceries, while more extensive commercial centers can be found in South Tyler, 9 miles away.
Hondo & Shorty's is the preferred restaurant for Bullard locals.
Bullard residents dine on pizza and pasta at Milano’s Pizza.
Brookshires is the local grocery store for Bullard residents.
Kiepersol Winery is a local favorite for Bullard residents and visitors alike.
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Favorite events for first responders
Bullard has numerous community-wide events throughout the year, including CoptoberFest, a spooky Halloween celebration where Bullard Police Officers pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. The Red, White & Blue Festival was a long-running Bullard gathering that honored the area’s veterans and active military. In 2023, the Bullard Bluebonnet Festival replaced the event to expand the recognition to teachers and first responders. The new celebration is held every September and features an evening of local vendors, live music, a car show and a chili cookoff. Other popular celebrations include National Night Out and Magic on Main Weekend.
The Bullard Police Department stays active in the community with events like CoptoberFest.
At the Bullard Bluebonnet Festival, visitors can indulge in treats from local vendors.
The Annual The Red, White & Blue Festival in Bullard honors service members.
The host of community events, local shops and great schools attract home buyers to Bullard.
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Easy access to downtown Tyler
US Highway 69 runs through town and connects to downtown Tyler, 15 miles away. Many Bullard residents commute to Tyler for work. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is 23 miles away and offers multiple daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport via American Eagle. Alternatively, Dallas is 115 miles away by car. Tyler’s Medical District is 17 miles away and serves as the hub for medical care in East Texas.
Crime and Environment
The city is on the edge of Tornado Alley and experiences several severe weather events every year. These events often bring strong wind, heavy rain and hail and mainly occur in the spring and summer months. East Texas experiences mild winters and hot, muggy summers, with temperatures often reaching the upper 90s and low 100s. Bullard is considered relatively safe and receives a B crime and safety score on Niche. Violent crimes have decreased, according to data from the Bullard Police Department, with ten violent crimes reported in 2021 and 5 violent crimes in 2023. According to the City of Bullard, over 90% of residential property crimes in the city are considered crimes of opportunity, meaning valuables have been left in unlocked cars, sheds or garages.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
