Home to over 26,000 residents, Denison has become a tourist destination for Dallas and the rest of the Texoma region because of its shopping, dining and recreation. Denison’s downtown district features one of the state's longest main streets and bolsters the local economy with hundreds of locally owned businesses. The city is also only 10 miles from the Oklahoma border, where boating and fishing at Lake Texoma await. “No one ever says they wished they hadn’t moved here,” says Carol Layman, a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens and Texoma-region local. “There’s a lot to do here, and the lake itself has a lot of activities.” In addition to local businesses, Denison and its sister city, Sherman, have large manufacturing plants for Texas Instruments, Globitech, Tyson Foods and Ruiz Foods, which are all big employers.
Downtown Denison is the home of over 200 independently owned businesses.
Downtown Denison is known for its many locally owned business on Main Street.
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Downtown Denison’s award-winning Main Street
With over 200 small businesses packed into a mile-long stretch, downtown Denison is Grayson County’s most prominent shopping, dining and entertainment hub. Decades of investment into Main Street’s historic storefronts and small businesses have made it a Great American Main Street Award semifinalist four years in a row. “When I first came here, the buildings were beautiful, but there was a lot of vacancy. So, we cleaned the windows and made it look like a place people wanted to be,” says Donna Dow, director of Main Street Denison, who has worked in the city for over a decade. “Now specialty shops have come in when they maybe couldn’t support themselves 15 years ago.” More than 100 murals and sculptures by local artists also dot Main Street between long-standing shops like the Main Street Mall and restaurants like 34 Chophouse and Rustico Fine Mexican Cuisine.
Downtown Denison has the largest main streets in Texas.
Downtown Denison has event offerings no matter the season, from the Denison on Ice skating rink in winter to the Music on Main concert series in summer. Fall brings celebrations of the city's most famous son with the Eisenhower Birthday Celebration and I Like Ike 5K Run. The Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Park, less than a mile off Main Street, is a living museum surrounding the house where the 34th President was born in 1890.
Downtown Denison is the birthplace of the 34th U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Located in Denison, this is the home that President Eisenhower was born at in 1890.
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Fishing, boating and hiking on Lake Texoma
Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the country, with 580 miles of shoreline surrounded by beaches, hiking trails and campsites. Marinas like Eisenhower Yacht Club and Grandpappy Point give boaters and anglers a place to dock, while Eisenhower State Park offers hiking and equestrian trails. Denison also maintains its city parks, including a fishing lake and hiking trails at Waterloo Park.
Preston residents enjoy boating on Lake Texoma on the weekends.
Preston is where those go to enjoy the views from the beach.
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Grants to repair Denison’s historic homes
The city's median home price is $250,000, lower than the $299,000 median in Sherman and the $449,900 median in Dallas. Some of the most in-demand Denison properties are waterside homes by Lake Texoma or historic residences near downtown. Historic properties became more popular after the city started an affordable home incentive program in 2014, which gave homebuyers grants to purchase and restore 20th-century homes.
Beautiful custom homes can be found in Downtown Denison.
Newly built homes with green yards are popping up in Downtown Denison.
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Upgrades to Denison Independent School District
Denison Independent School District receives an A-minus grade from Niche. Between 2023 and 2024, every school, including the brand-new Denison High School building, received upgrades like more classroom space, new gyms and cafeterias. The high school is rated an A-minus on Niche, making it the district’s highest-ranked school. The city is also home to Grayson College, a community college with over 5,000 students. Austin College, a private liberal arts school, is in neighboring Sherman.
Denison High School has an enrollment of over 1,300 students from 9th to 12th grade.
Forest Park features Munson Stadium, home of the Denison ISD Yellowjackets.
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Highway 75 crosses the Oklahoma and Texas borders
South Eisenhower Parkway, Texoma Parkway, and U.S. Highway 75 connect Denison to the rest of the Texoma region. U.S. 75 crosses the Oklahoma border and connects to Sherman, 11 miles away, and Dallas and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, 75 miles away. Denison has no public bus systems, but the TAPS Public Transit is on-demand and available throughout Grayson County.
Windy, icy winters on Lake Texoma
Denison has hot summers with temperatures over 100 degrees, while the winter has mild temperatures. Because Lake Texoma becomes icy and windy in winter, lake tourism drops off after November and picks up again in April. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls water levels throughout the year to reduce flooding.
The Denison Police Department reported a 24% overall decrease in crime in 2023 after a 31% overall decrease in 2022.
Written By
Delaney Murray
Photography Contributed By
Aaron Fisher
Video By
Houston Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Susan Hester,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Denison, TX sell after 77 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Denison, TX over the last 12 months is $249,450, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
ASK ABOUT FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAMS! POTENTIALLY COME IN WITH NO MONEY DOWN. NEW ROOF! Just two blocks away from the historic downtown Denison, this property carries a charming vintage appeal, reflecting its early 20th-century roots. The home's exterior showcases a quaint, cottage-style architecture with a simple yet welcoming façade. Its modest size and layout make it feel cozy and
# Cozy Denison Home with Beautiful Outdoor SpaceWelcome to your potential new home in Denison, Texas! This charming 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom house has been lovingly updated and is ready for you to move in and make memories.Step outside and discover the real star of this property – a spacious outdoor area, sitting on a corner lot, perfect for gardening enthusiasts, backyard barbecues, or simply
# Newly Remodeled Charm in DenisonThis fresh 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers 1,370 square feet of modern living space. Recently remodeled, it keeps its character while adding contemporary touches. Inside, you'll find comfortable living areas perfect for daily life and hosting friends. The primary bedroom gives you a quiet retreat, while two additional bedrooms work well for family, guests, or
AG EXEMPT! Rural Retreat with Income Potential near Lake Texoma!Welcome to your slice of Texas heaven! This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home sits on an impressive 16.12 acres of natural beauty, just a mile from the Red River and only 15 minutes from Lake Texoma.Nature lovers will feel right at home with the abundance of wildlife that frequents the property. Deer wander through the trees, birds
Vintage charm meets modern comfort in this beautifully renovated classic home in the heart of Denison. This 2-story American Foursquare gem has been thoughtfully updated from top to bottom, offering the best of both worlds. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a new 30-year roof, new plumbing, new electrical, and new energy efficient heating and air systems throughout the home. The foundation
Prime location located just outside of town with over 500 feet of road frontage on Hwy 69 and road frontage on Chaparral Estate Dr. This would be a great investment or a spot to put your own business. Starr water supplies the area and is near by ready to be connected. The surrounding area is all on septic.
Three bedroom duplex located just off highway 75 and just a short drive away to downtown Denison, THF park, and Sherman Town Center. Tucked away on a smaller street away from heavy traffic but just close enough to get anywhere you need to. The one car garage gives you plenty of space to park your car out of the weather or for additional storage. The living room is located on the first floor away
Charming Upper-Level Duplex with Modern Updates – Close to Historic Downtown Denison. Welcome to this beautifully updated upper floor of a classic duplex, blending timeless character with modern conveniences. This inviting space features two spacious bedrooms, one full bathroom, and washer dryer connections for your convenience. The light-filled living areas boast vintage charm with updated
Enjoy quality living at Parkdale Villas apartments in the quaint town of Denison, Texas! We are located by U.S. Route 75 for easy access to shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and schools. Public parks are nearby, offering outdoor experiences. The community at Parkdale Villas can provide you with the kind of lifestyle you deserve.
Thompson Heights in Denison, Texas, is a lakeside neighborhood known for its ranch-style and cottage homes built between the 1950s and 1980s. These homes, typically under 2,000 square feet, are located less than a mile from Eisenhower State Park and the shore of Lake Texoma. The neighborhood does not have an HOA, which means no monthly membership
Preston, a neighborhood in Denison, Texas, features a diverse range of housing options, including bungalows, cottages, and custom cabins, many with multi-acre lots and thick tree cover. Some properties offer community amenities like marinas and beach access, while waterfront homes often include private boat slips. The area is set for significant
Downtown Denison is a historic neighborhood featuring a mix of Craftsman cottages, one-story railroad houses, and occasional Greek Revival or Victorian homes. Many properties have been renovated under the city's affordable home incentive program. The area is known for its attractions, including Forest Park with its new playground and Munson
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