Proximity to Dallas, good schools and lower home prices than nearby suburbs are just some of the reasons that the city of Princeton has exploded in popularity. “It’s one of the fastest growing cities and has conveniences of other cities within 10 minutes,” says Vickie Mize, owner and broker at Vickie’s Real Estate Group, who has been selling real estate in Princeton for 25 years. Princeton is home to 28,000 residents--about 11,000 more than in 2020. “It's blooming with new businesses and residential developments,” says Alba Herrera Beaty, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Apex who’s sold many homes in the area. “People used to move to McKinney, but it's become crowded, so they’re heading to Princeton instead. It’s still one of the most affordable places in the area even though it’s becoming more expensive.”
Many residents work in Dallas, about 40 miles away, Plano, 22 miles away, or McKinney, 10 miles west. Major employers in the city are the Princeton Independent School District and the City of Princeton.
Princeton aims to offer unique products and services, enhancing the community experience for everyone.
Overall, Princeton is set to benefit greatly from these developments as they enrich local shopping options.
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Growth brings new residential development
Aligned with its recent growth, many homes in Princeton were built in the last 20 years. Homes range from older ranch-style properties to New Traditional homes in organized developments on wide roads. Several new master planned communities have sprung up in the city, including Whitewing Trails and Forest Park. The median home price in Princeton is $345,000, lower than the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area median of $399,000, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center. Mize notes that “the cost point of the homes is the number-one reason come here. You can get a house for $350,000 in Princeton that would be $500,000 in McKinney.” Due to the explosive growth in Princeton, a 120-day moratorium on new residential development was issued in September 2024 to assess its impact on the city's infrastructure and public services.
Princeton features beautiful ranch-style homes with spacious, open layouts.
Princeton’s master-planned neighborhoods offer convenience and strong amenities.
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Local parks and nearby Lake Lavon
The City of Princeton has four parks, but a $109 million bond is set to improve the parks' infrastructure. The bond will expand green spaces, enhance existing parks, and build community spaces. J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park has a disc golf course, basketball court and dog park. The park also hosts a big 4th of July event. Other parks include Princeton Municipal Park, with a catch-and-release fishing pond and walking trails, and Parkview Heights with a playground and a basketball court. Princeton is next door to Lake Lavon for fishing, beaches, campgrounds, boat docks and hiking trails.
Veterans Memorial Park in Princeton has pathways to walk and view the memorial monuments.
Local athletes of Princeton enjoy training at J.M. Caldwell St. Community Park.
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Students served by the well-rated Princeton Independent School District
The Princeton Independent School District serves students in Princeton. The district earns an overall A-minus grade from Niche, including an A grade for diversity and an A-minus mark for college prep. Princeton ISD offers students a variety of fine arts and has been recognized on both the state and national levels. The district is planning to open new schools through 2034 to avoid overcrowding in schools due to population growth.
James Godwin Elementary in Princeton serves students Pre-K through 5th grade in Collin County.
Students might attend Southard Middle School in Princeton.
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Shopping and dining at nearby Historic Downtown McKinney
Historic Downtown McKinney is a 9-mile drive from Princeton and is one of the largest historic districts in Texas. The area has over 170 unique shops, from art galleries to home décor shops, and more than two dozen places to grab a bite. Dining in Princeton can be found along U.S. Highway 380, including national chains like Wingstop and Dominos and local spots like Scrambler Café and Jocy’s Restaurant.
The fun of McKinney's downtown shops and cafes is easily reached from Princeton.
Jocy's Restaurant is a where all the local residents of Princeton recommend to grab lunch.
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Near McKinney and Greenville
U.S. Highway 380 bisects the area and runs west to McKinney and east to Greenville. While there is no traditional public transportation in Princeton, those who qualify can use the Collin County Transit Program, which connects them to local grocery stores, senior centers, libraries, hospitals and more. Downtown Dallas is 40 miles from Princeton, while Downtown Fort Worth is about a 65-mile drive. The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport are about 40 miles away. The nearest hospital is Medical City McKinney, 11 miles away.
Princeton's weather
According to the 11th National Risk Assessment, Princeton has a significant wind factor. The city is also at risk of wildfires, with 100% of properties in Princeton being at some risk of being affected. The city also has extreme heat during the summer months but mild winter temperatures.
Princeton's crime
According to Princeton Police Department reporting, in December 2023, the violent crime rate was 73 offenses per 100,000 residents, lower than the state and national averages. Over that same span, they reported a property crime rate of 69 offenses per 100,000 residents, also lower than the state and national averages.
Written By
Kevin Haswell
Photography Contributed By
Adam Jebbeh
Video By
Grace Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Princeton, TX sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Princeton, TX over the last 12 months is $342,990, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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