The suburban boom in North Texas has caused a population surge, resulting in the construction of millions of new homes and significantly outpacing the growth in the urban core of Dallas.
According to a study by Storage Cafe, four of the nation's 20 fastest-growing suburbs for housing are located just outside of Dallas. The primary driver behind this suburban expansion is the quest for an improved quality of life, with families prioritizing larger homes, safer neighborhoods and better schools — sometimes at a higher cost.
Celina stands out as the Dallas metro area’s leading suburb for housing growth, ranking eighth nationally. Between 2013 and 2022, Celina's housing inventory more than tripled, while its population surged by 237%, from approximately 6,400 to 21,500.
Celina has also become a hotspot for remote workers, with around 27% of residents working from home. This trend is no coincidence; in 2017, Celina proactively passed a “gigabit city ordinance,” ensuring fiber and high-speed internet access throughout the suburb. However, this surge in popularity has led to significant home price increases, with the average house price in Celina rising nearly 130% over the past decade — more than twice the national growth rate.
Following Celina, is Melissa, which now has nearly 5,000 housing units, more than three times the number from a decade ago. The population has also tripled during this period. The addition of multifamily units to the local housing inventory has facilitated this growth, and the trend continues, with 280 apartment building permits issued in 2022 alone.
Prosper is living up to its name, ranking fifteenth nationally for suburban growth. Since 2013, both its housing inventory and population have tripled, and nearly a third of Prosper’s residents work from home. Urbanization indicators such as kindergartens, banks and retail centers have emerged throughout Prosper, making it an attractive location for both young professionals and families.
Despite its appealing features — neat streets, excellent schools and high-quality homes — Prosper's median home prices are among the highest in the state, averaging around $621,000. The surge in housing construction has not curbed rising home prices, which have nearly doubled from $339,000 in 2013, reflecting trends seen in other popular relocation destinations in the DFW area.
While maintaining its small-town charm and being more affordable overall, Fate in Rockwall County experienced a significant increase in home prices over the past decade, rising from approximately $172,000 to $343,000. During this time, the number of housing units grew by 162%, and the population nearly tripled.
To highlight the contrast between urban and suburban growth in the Dallas metro area, consider that Dallas, one of the country's rapidly developing large cities, increased its housing inventory by 11% over the past decade — drastically less than its suburbs. Frisco, for example, saw an impressive 72% increase. Arlington, another major city in the metro area, experienced only a modest 1% growth in housing units during the same period.
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