Booming town of Josephine keeps its rural feel intact
Lower prices, plenty of room and proximity to the Dallas metro has helped turn Josephine from a sleepy community of about 800 in 2020 into a boomtown of 4,500 by 2021. But despite its growth, locals say it maintains a small-town feel. "You go up to city hall and you know people and they know who you are," says Katrina Heifner, a Realtor with Re/Max Town & Country who has lived in the town since 2012. "It's not like you're in Dallas or something."
New construction homes priced below Dallas and U.S. median
New home communities in and around town are fueling an explosion of new single-family homes. About 8,000 new houses have already been built or are planned, with builders such as D.R. Horton and Starlight Homes working in the area. The collection includes many three-and four-bedroom properties with a variety of one-and two-story floor plans. The median single-family home price is about $290,000, significantly lower than the Dallas and the national median. High Meadow Estates features some of the area's high-end homes on half-acre lots.
Community ISD offers new campuses, career-focused education pathways
The Community Independent School District is growing along with Josephine. Students can attend the new Ellis Elementary School, which opened in 2024. Those on the city's southeast side may attend Roderick Elementary, located at the center of the master-planned Magnolia area. Neither school has a grade yet from Niche. The future Community Creek Middle School is projected to open in 2027 or later. In the meantime, kids can attend Edge Middle School, which gets a C, and Community High School, which gets a B-minus. The district offers several programs of study designed to prepare students for high-wage, in-demand careers in various fields.
City park hosts annual festivals and outdoor fun
Josephine's City Park features a playground, basketball court and a splash pad in the center of town. It hosts the annual Christmas and Fourth of July celebrations. Fireworks in the Park is an annual highlight in July, with carnival rides and vendors. It drew over 5,000 spectators in 2025. "They'll have food trucks in for the event, usually a live band, so it's kind of a big deal," Heifner says. Upcoming developments are incorporating their own green spaces. The Magnolia development just south of Josephine has its own public pools, parks and walking paths. "Walking trails are huge to be able to go from one subdivision to another," Heifner says.
Residents travel for groceries and dining beyond Josephine
Locals are waiting for shops and restaurants to catch up to the residential growth, according to Heifner. Dollar General and two gas stations are the only current options. Residents venture out of town for grocery stores and restaurants. Walmart Supercenter and Joe's Meat Market, the closest grocery options, are less than 10 miles away in Royse City. Downtown Royse City features mom-and-pop boutiques and dining options, including several Mexican restaurants. Other options can be found in Greenville, Wylie and Dallas. Josephine aims to bring new businesses to Farm to Market Road 6. The city's 2023 comprehensive plan proposes a walkable city center with retail, restaurants, mixed-use buildings and a civic center.
Car travel is common, but walkability is part of future plans
This is a mainly car-dependent area, as many residents venture out of town for necessities. Farm-to-Market Road 6 is the main corridor through Josephine. State Highway 66 and Interstate 30 are also well-used routes to surrounding towns and to Dallas. The city's comprehensive plan proposes an interconnected sidewalk system, FM 6 expansion and a rails-to-trail pathway as part of future infrastructure plans. Royse City Emergency Hospital, about 8 miles south, provides clinical services, imaging and laboratory services, pediatric care and emergency care. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, a global super-hub, is about 50 miles west.
