Overton offers a rural lifestyle with proximity to major cities
Surrounded by a mix of trees and farmland, Overton is a small city in Rusk and Smith counties that’s primarily a bedroom community. The area was established in the 1870s as a crossroads of two rail lines, with a small downtown built to bring commerce. Since then, Overton’s location continues to draw those who want proximity to bigger cities while maintaining a peaceful lifestyle. “If people want to live in a more rural area but experience what the nearby cities have to offer, [Overton] is a good common ground,” says Realtor Jared McDaniels, co-founder of The McDaniels Team at Fathom Realty. “Commuting is something people are used to here.” Traveling northeast, Kilgore is around 11 miles away and Longview is 26 miles. The city of Tyler is roughly 21 miles west.
A selection of single-story homes spanning decades
Most homes in Overton are situated along narrow neighborhood streets and accompanied by large grassy lawns, mature trees and driveways. Ranch-style homes built between the 1950s and 2000s are common, with brick or vinyl exteriors. Some properties are farmhouse-inspired with a front porch area, while others are cottage-style with traditional designs. Prices range from $90,000 to $260,000. A handful of newly built single-story homes from the 2020s are found on the city’s outskirts. These properties share a contemporary design with pointed roofs and stone accents, and sell for around $230,000 to $400,000.
Shopping and dining in downtown and beyond
Commerce Street is downtown Overton’s commercial corridor, with a handful of small businesses, including insurance agencies, a hair salon and a couple of Mexican eateries, like La Hacienda Tex-Mex Grill and Los Regios Mexican Restaurant. “There’s a little bit here. Some of the more typical places you’ll find in a small East Texas town,” McDaniels says. Milano’s Pizza is a casual eatery serving Italian eats. Farther south along Commerce Street, toward the edge of town, there’s Dollar General and a hardware store. Brookshire’s is Overton’s grocery store.
National retailers, big-box stores and chain restaurants are all found in the bigger cities of Kilgore, Longview and Tyler. “A lot of people, especially here, they’re not afraid to make a 10-minute drive for dinner,” McDaniels says.
Education in Overton public schools
Most children living in Overton can attend the Overton Independent School District, which enrolls about 530 students between its two schools. Overton Elementary earns a B-plus grade from Niche. Overton High School serves grades 6 through 12 and scores a B-minus. High school students can participate in theater or join career-centered clubs like the Future Farmers of America. Children living in the Smith County portion of the city are zoned to Arp Independent School District, which enrolls about 1,000 students and has a B-plus grade.
Staying active in Overton’s park and recreation area
Overton City Park is the area’s main avenue for recreation. The green space contains a playground, picnic area and large grassy field. A small creek splits the park in two, crossed by multiple footbridges that span across. Within walking distance are north and south Overton lakes, which both allow fishing. An RV park nearby offers daily, weekly and monthly rates for camping. A large gazebo on the grounds is used for picnics and cookouts. Also in the area is the Overton Golf Course, a city-maintained nine-hole course open to the public. Additionally, the city has a Little League baseball field.
Keeping close with community events
Overton hosts a handful of community events throughout the year. In September, the Downtown Overton Block Party takes place at Overton City Park and has live music, food trucks, a cornhole tournament and a car show. The Overton Heritage Foundation puts on a Spring Festival every March, with arts and crafts stations and artisan vendors. There’s also an annual Christmas Parade.
Traveling in and out of Overton by car
Overton is a commuter-heavy community. Texas state Highway 135, known in town as Commerce Street, is the city’s main thoroughfare. It is used to reach Kilgore, connect to state Highway 42 in the east or get to state Highway 64 in the west. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is roughly 29 miles away and offers connecting flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Experiencing high winds and other East Texas challenges
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Overton has a major risk of high winds. “It’s very green here. There are a lot of trees, which is a draw for some people, but the trees can also do a lot of damage with the winds and thunderstorms,” McDaniels says. The city also has a risk of wildfires. The Overton Volunteer Fire Department is outfitted with five fire trucks and a rescue unit for emergencies.
