Named after the founder of the H&TC Railroad, Ennis started as a trade center because of the railroad and cotton production in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the city is known as the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas” and celebrates the state flower and the oldest known bluebonnet trail in Texas. A city once known as a weekend getaway now has a population of 24,000, with more people calling it home. “Our incredible year-round events are a huge attraction for tourists and also turn people into residents after they fall in love with us,” says Ashley Colunga, the Marketing and Communications Director with the City of Ennis. Leading employers for the city include the school district, Freshpet and Sterilite.
Ennis is known as the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas” and celebrates the state flower and the oldest known bluebonnet trail in Texas.
A huge mural of beautiful bluebonnets stands in downtown Ennis, where both residents and visitors love taking photos in front of it.
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Lower median sale price than the national median
Ennis’s median home sale price is $279,000, lower than nearby Waxahachie, where the median is $412,00 and lower than the national median of $406,000. Homes can range from as low as $125,000 for a fixer-upper to $300,000 for a mid-range home, and larger custom homes on the outskirts of town for around one million. The pricier homes usually include several acres of land or are near amenities like Lake Bardwell. “We have gone from 1% growth for the last 100 years to 10% growth and 2,559 confirmed single-family homes in the next 6 years,” Colunga says.
Mid-century ranch-style homes with sleek, minimalist designs and brick exteriors can be seen throughout Ennis.
Early 20th-century farmhomes are easily found closer to downtown Ennis.
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Drag racing at The Texas Motorplex
Veterans Memorial Park is a 19-acre space highlighted by statues that pay tribute to local war veterans. The park is also home to the Ennis Soccer Association, including three soccer fields that convert into multiple youth fields. On the south side of Lake Clark is a 22-hole disc golf course. The Ennis Disc Golf Association designed the course, which includes renovated concrete pads, signage, and maps.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the proximity to Lake Bardwell, a 3,500-acre lake that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to enjoy fishing, boating and swimming. The parks and natural areas surrounding the lake are hotspots for camping, picnics and outdoor gatherings. The Texas Motorplex is a drag racing facility known as the first National Hot Rod Association “super track”. The racing facility attracts over half a million visitors each year.
Residents of Ennis enjoy playing disc golf on warm days at the 22-hole course on the south side of Lake Clark.
The Texas Motorplex is a premier drag racing facility in Ennis, attracting over half a million visitors each year.
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Thousands attend the Bluebonnet Trails and Festival
No event takes center stage in Ennis like the Bluebonnet Trails and Festival. A staple of the city for over 70 years, the city features over 40 miles of Bluebonnet Trails and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every April to view this wildflower show. The trails are open all month, while the festival usually begins the third week of the month, showcasing arts and crafts vendors, live music and activities for kids on the downtown streets. “We are the bluebonnet spirit of Texas,” Colunga says. Freedom Fest is a small-town patriotic experience at Vets Memorial Park in late June, highlighted by a fireworks display and parade downtown. The city celebrates its strong Czechoslovakian heritage with annual events like the National Polka Festival and the Ennis Czech Music Festival.
Ennis features over 40 miles of Bluebonnet Trails and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every April.
Bluebonnet Trails and Festival begins the third week of April, showcasing arts and crafts vendors, live music and activities.
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Boutiques and local eateries in historic downtown
The core shopping area of Ennis is the 8-block historic downtown, featuring several unique boutiques and local restaurants. Along Interstate 45 are chain restaurants, big-box department stores and the Ennis Crossroads Shopping Center.
Ennis' vibrant shopping hub is its 8-block historic downtown, home to a variety of unique boutiques and local restaurants.
Ennis Crossroads Shopping Center is home to many chain restaurants and big-box department stores.
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Championship football at Ennis High School
Students are assigned to the Ennis Independent School District, which serves around 6,200 students and earns a B-plus grade from Niche. Ennis High School receives a B from Niche and is known for its athletics department, which has won the state championship in football five times. For private schools, Waxahachie Preparatory Academy serves kindergarten through 12th grade and receives a B-plus from Niche.
Ennis High School boasts a beautiful football stadium that has won the state championship five times.
Many Ennis parents choose Waxahachie Preparatory Academy as a private school option for their children.
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Easy access to Interstate 45
Ennis sits off Interstate 45, the city’s major roadway that runs north into Dallas, 35 miles away. Highway 287 runs west towards Waxahachie, a 15-mile drive away. The Ennis Municipal Airport is an all-weather general aviation airport just west of town. The DFW International Airport is 58 miles away and offers around-the-clock domestic and international flights. Ellis County Medical Associates is the area’s main hospital.
Ennis crime rates and environmental factors
According to FBI crime statistics, Ennis's violent and property crime rates have been lower than the national averages in recent years.
Like much of North Texas, Ennis residents are at risk of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flooding and excessive heat.
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.
