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
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Denison, TX sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Denison, TX over the last 12 months is $226,500, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover this darling 1940s craftsman bungalow nestled in the vibrant heart of Denison, TX. With its captivating curb appeal, the home features an arched porch complemented by charming red brick accents and a stone wall that frames the street frontage. Beautiful sunflowers and blooming, mature trees create an English garden appeal. Inside, modern updates harmoniously blend with classic details,
New to the Market in one of Denison's most desirable neighborhoods! This 3BR, 2BA home sits on an oversized lot with plenty of room for indoor and outdoor living. The kitchen offers leathered granite countertops, stylish ceramic tile backsplash, SS single bowl sink, designer faucet and large pantry. The primary suite boasts a large walk-in closet and bath with separate shower and soaker tub.
Step into a delightful piece of history with this vintage 1920 Craftsman home, brilliantly restored to blend modern conveniences with classic style. Nestled in the heart of downtown Denison, the charm of this residence is unmistakable, showcasing architectural features that capture the essence of a bygone era. As you approach, the inviting covered porch beckons with classic porch columns that add
Opportunity knocks with this stunning 2022-built duplex in fast-growing Denison—where you can live in one side and rent the other! Each spacious unit features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, an open-concept island kitchen with white painted cabinets, stainless steel appliances, pot filler, and refrigerator included. The living area boasts a custom entertainment cabinet with flat screen wiring, while
Opportunity knocks with this stunning 2022-built duplex in fast-growing Denison—where you can live in one side and rent the other! Each spacious unit features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, an open-concept island kitchen with white painted cabinets, stainless steel appliances, pot filler, and refrigerator included. The living area boasts a custom entertainment cabinet with flat screen wiring, while
Discover this darling 1940s craftsman bungalow nestled in the vibrant heart of Denison, TX. With its captivating curb appeal, the home features an arched porch complemented by charming red brick accents and a stone wall that frames the street frontage. Beautiful sunflowers and blooming, mature trees create an English garden appeal. Inside, modern updates harmoniously blend with classic details,
This 1,120 sq ft home offers vintage charm with modern comfort! Built in 1935, this well-maintained property features beautiful hardwood floors throughout and central HVAC to keep you comfortable year-round.Located just a short walk from historic downtown Denison and with Old Town Park right behind the home, you’ll love the convenient location and neighborhood charm.Inside, you’ll
MOVE IN SPECIAL - 2 WEEKS FREE with a JULY MOVE IN and NO DEPOSIT DUE AT MOVE IN!!! Welcome to your new home! This charming rental offers 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 full baths, thoughtfully designed for both comfort and convenience. Enjoy a bright, open floor plan with modern finishes, fresh paint, and plenty of natural light. The kitchen features ample counter space, sleek cabinetry, and included
MOVE IN SPECIAL - 2 WEEKS FREE with a JULY MOVE IN and NO DEPOSIT DUE AT MOVE IN!!! Welcome to 326 W Morgan St – a delightful home offering a perfect blend of classic charm and everyday comfort. This spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence features warm hardwood floors, fresh paint, and abundant natural light throughout. The open-concept living and dining area is ideal for both relaxing evenings
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