Caddo Mills is a rapidly growing town northeast of Dallas
Caddo Mills is one of the fastest-growing communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Originally a settlement for Caddo Indians northeast of Dallas, the small town grew rapidly in the late 1880s after the local gristmill was established and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway came to town. Today, it’s a bustling bedroom community with local attractions, a top-rated school district and over 5,500 residents. “We were the third-fastest growing city in Texas from 2020 to 2023,” says Joel Richardson, a 40-year resident and director of the economic development corporation. “We’re on our way to 10,000 in the next three to five years.”
New homes with a variety of architectural styles
Most new houses were built in the past few years to accommodate the rising population, with many subdivisions north and south of the main highway. New construction is ongoing, with Richardson estimating that 8,000 to 10,000 new homes will be built over the next five years. “We have quite a diverse housing inventory,” Richardson says. “We have everything from starters in the $350,000 to $400,000 range to 20-acre lots that are a million to a million and a half. Traditional architecture is most common amongst new builds, but there are also some Craftsman, farmhouse and ranch-style properties throughout. Homes less than 2,500 square feet with two-car garages and covered patios range from $200,000 to $500,000, while those with 1-7-acre lots range from $500,000 to $800,000. Larger 3,000 to 4,000-square-foot homes built on acreage are more common on the outskirts and cost between $1 to $2 million.
A-ratings across the board for Caddo Mills ISD
One of the biggest draws for Caddo Mills is its school district. With an A grade on Niche, the Caddo Mills Independent School District is rated the top school district in Hunt County for its academic curriculum, high-quality teachers and child nutrition program. Kirkpatrick Elementary is the newest campus that finished construction in early 2025, while Griffis and Lee Elementary School both earn A ratings on Niche. Caddo Mills Intermediate teaches fifth and sixth grade, while Caddo Mills Middle serves seventh and eighth-grade students. Both schools earn an A-minus on Niche. Caddo Mills High School has a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio and an A.
A state highway to Dallas and Plano
Texas State Highway 66 runs adjacent to the railroad through town, leading 19 miles southwest to Rockwall or around 8 miles northeast to the 24-hour Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville. While there’s no public transportation in Caddo Mills, Interstate 30 does run along the town’s south side and provides a direct route to the Dallas Love Field airport 42 miles southwest. “It’s only 40 minutes,” Richardson says. “A lot of people who live here drive to work in either Dallas or Plano.”
Barbecue, boutiques and Buc-ee’s
There are a handful of restaurants and small businesses by both major highways. Baker’s Ribs is a popular Texas barbecue joint that slow-cooks its pork ribs over hickory wood, while Bucky’s Cafe is a local diner with brunch and breakfast specials. The Si Señor Tex Mex Restaurant has street tacos and stuffed avocados, and Ciro’s Seafood serves fried shrimp, catfish and oysters. Local shops include Boujee Babes Boutique and the Simply Heaven antique store. Dollar General and Bella’s Market are the local grocery stores, and there’s a Buc-ee’s and Walmart 8 miles southwest in Royse City.
Soccer, swimming and skydiving
There’s a playground in Hanchey Park next to the local churches, and Hooten Memorial Park has baseball diamonds and soccer fields. There are also several nearby lakes where visitors can go boating, fishing or waterskiing between Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Tawakoni and Lavon Lake. The Dallas Skydive Center is south by the municipal airport and drops parachutists from 10,000 feet in the air.
