As Dallas-Fort Worth’s population continues its steady march toward a next-decade projection of 10 million residents, once far-flung communities on the metro area’s outer reaches are next in line for development.
Dallas Morning News reporters spent weeks traveling to 25 future boomtowns to see how their leaders are preparing for an influx of new residents. Interest rate hikes might have cooled the housing market from its pandemic frenzy, but business relocations and expansions in North Texas will continue to drive the construction of new rooftops.
Some community leaders welcome growth, knowing it will bring related businesses and services that make their hometowns more desirable – like new restaurants or maybe their first doctor’s office.
Others are wary about their ability to protect the small-town feel they say makes their community special while planning for road, water and sewer improvements that go hand-in-hand with growth.
All know progress is inevitable in one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation. No matter where they are on the journey, they’re all part of the North Texas growth story.
Sherman
Semiconductor plants propel Sherman into a high-tech future
Royse City
More than 10,000 future rooftops means big changes for small-town Royse City
Forney
Forney blossoms as a housing magnet for downtown Dallas commuters
Melissa
Melissa leaders saw their town’s housing boom coming, just not when they thought
Princeton
Collin County’s Princeton aspires to become ‘a real city,’ backs U.S. 380 expansion
Saginaw
Saginaw’s ‘train-and-grain’ feel is changing with homes and mixed-use projects
Aubrey
Small-town Aubrey is becoming hub for big planned communities
Mansfield
Why multigenerational housing figures into Mansfield’s future
Celina
Celina leaders cherish country charm, amid exponential housing growth
Josephine
Josephine works to balance old and new amid residential growth
Midlothian
Midlothian’s cement and steel industry forms growing city’s foundation
Lavon
Lavon looks to preserve history with 7,500 home lots in development
Anna
Anna, once too far north, finds itself at the center of two North Texas growth stories
Justin
How annexation gave Justin breathing room for growth
Farmersville
Farmersville’s old-time charm meets forward-thinking city leaders
Caddo Mills
’It’s our turn’: Caddo Mills is on the lookout for growth opportunities
Godley
Rural Godley outside Fort Worth is where ‘Friday Night Lights’ reigns
Gunter
Small town Gunter is in the path of the Dallas area’s northward growth
Fate
Rockwall County’s Fate isn’t leaving sprawl to chance
Cresson
Once a small ranching community, Cresson stands on the brink of a boom
Terrell
Terrell is aiming to upend the traditional approach to growth
Waxahachie
Waxahachie issues more building permits than ever as young families flock to city
Crandall
Homebuyers discover Crandall, a no-stoplight town surrounded by development
Pilot Point
Pilot Point, Denton County’s oldest city, is seeing more new homes by the day
