Gun Barrel City offers lakeside life near Dallas-Fort Worth
Gun Barrel City sits on the banks of Cedar Creek Reservoir, which locals call Cedar Creek Lake. The reservoir was constructed in 1969, and residential infill followed, subsequently bringing shops and restaurants to the area. With the general trend of post-pandemic relocation, the community attracts many former Dallas-Fort Worth residents. “Gun Barrel City is the hub of Cedar Creek Lake,” says associate broker Debbie French with Ebby Halliday Realtors, who lives on the water. “It offers the ability to get out of Dallas into a small town and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle without being in the middle of nowhere.” The roughly 6,100 people who call Gun Barrel City home come from all walks of life, from families and first-time homebuyers to retirees and second homeowners. “I’ve seen a lot of empty nesters sell the big house in Dallas to buy a lake house, which becomes their family gathering place,” French says. Plus, locals can enjoy the water at all times of the year, not just during the summer. “Some of the best times to be on the lake are in the fall and winter,” French says. “You have cool, crisp weather, clear water and no mosquitoes.”
Cedar Creek Lake offers boating, swimming and fishing
Life in Gun Barrel City revolves around Cedar Creek Lake. The Tarrant Regional Water District owns and operates it, providing drinking water for the Fort Worth area and managing flooding and recreation. Many residents own boats, kept in nearby marinas, boat storage facilities, their driveways or private docks. “You can have your own private boathouse with a permit from the water district,” French says. “You don’t get that on every lake.” Residents enjoy fishing, sunbathing and jumping from their docks into the water. “Cedar Creek Lake is a huge swimming pool,” French says. Those who don’t live directly on the water utilize the area’s many public boat launches. Tom Finley Park, off the causeway bridge, features the Chamber Island Ramp, a fishing pier, a swimming area and plenty of parking.
Off the water, the expansive Gun Barrel City Park has baseball fields, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, an amphitheater, an 18-hole disc golf course, trails, a soccer field, fitness equipment, a dog park, picnic areas, as well as basketball, tennis and pickleball courts and a catch-and-release fishing pond. The park’s concession stand serves food during rec league sporting events. It also hosts many events, including July Fest, which draws a large crowd. Folks sit on lawn chairs and blankets and listen to live music, kids jump in bounce houses with painted faces and fireworks light up the sky.
Gun Barrel City housing fits first-time buyers and second homeowners
Gun Barrel City offers a range of housing. “There’s a good mix of communities with different price ranges, so the city can accommodate anybody looking for a starter home or a multimillion-dollar waterfront property,” French says. Off the water, small cottages and ranch-style homes can cost $110,000 to $250,000, while New Traditionals, new construction and renovated ranch-style homes can range from $270,000 to $470,000.
Waterfront properties span a variety of price points. “Waterfront living can be expensive,” French says. “But, here, just because it’s waterfront doesn’t mean it has to be expensive.” Homes that might need work can cost around $370,000, while updated single-story lake houses can range from $500,000 to $900,000. Large, luxury homes with amenities like pools, docks, large decks and firepits can reach the millions, usually capping around $2 million. Plus, residents typically save in other areas. “Throughout the community, there’s sales tax, but no property tax,” French says. “People assume that because they’re on a lake, they’ll need flood insurance, but there’s a flood easement on each waterfront property, and you can’t build below that.”
Students attend Mabank ISD schools
The Mabank Independent School District serves Gun Barrel City. Niche gives Lakeview Elementary, which educates prekindergarten to fourth-grade students, a B-plus. For fifth and sixth graders, Mabank Intermediate gets a B, and Mabank Junior High, ranked the best public middle school in Kaufman County, earns an A-minus. Mabank High receives a B and offers career and technical education courses in areas like Human Services, Law and Public Service, Hospitality and more.
Chain retailers and casual dining spots in Gun Barrel City
Most businesses are along Texas state Highway 334, which cuts through the community’s center. Walmart Supercenter, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Dollar General and Bealls supply essentials. Lake Jackson Seafood serves meat and fish, Cochran’s Cafeteria is a go-to for a quick bite and Jalapeno Tree dishes Tex-Mex favorites. Tractor Supply Co. and Brookshire’s are just north.
Proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth makes commuting convenient
Gun Barrel City is mostly car-dependent. A Greyhound bus that travels to Dallas, about 60 miles away, and Houston, about 215 miles away, stops on Texas state Highway 334. “Proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth is a huge draw,” French says. “You can get there in about an hour.” Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is about 80 miles away. UT Health Cedar Creek Lake- Emergency Center is in the community.
![Adreanna DeMarino]()
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Adreanna DeMarino
