RANK #853 / 996 NAT · #47 / 69 TX · POP 2,604,053
1YR FORECAST: -0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
Dallas County, Texas, stands out for its blend of urban amenities and natural escapes, with the Cedar Ridge Preserve offering a taste of the Texas Hill Country just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas. This 600-acre natural sanctuary, managed by Audubon Dallas, features miles of hiking trails, native plants, and wildlife, including opportunities for birdwatching. The county, home to the city of Dallas, is located in north central Texas, characterized by rolling prairie and the Trinity River flowing through its center. Commute options include major interstates, tollways, and the extensive Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail system, which connects Dallas with surrounding cities and even both major airports.
Life in Dallas County offers a diverse community with access to numerous parks, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Public schools in the county are rated above average, with several highly-ranked institutions. The economy is driven by various sectors, attracting families and professionals. Recent economic developments include significant investments in commercial and residential properties, data centers, and infrastructure projects, such as new parks and trail systems. The county also focuses on environmental quality through programs like Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and maintaining its extensive open space system.
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
I-635 Reconstruction and Widening (US 75 to S of I-30; E and W on I-30)
Pegasus Link Constructors (TxDOT)
|
$1,700M | Under Construction |
|
Dallas County Data Center Relocation
Dallas County
|
$750M | Planned |
|
I-35E Reconstruction (I-635 to Denton Co. line)
Lone Star Constructors (TxDOT)
|
$709M | Under Construction |
|
I-635 at US 80 Interchange Reconstruction
Austin Bridge & Road Services, LP (TxDOT)
|
$540M | Under Construction |
|
University Hills Master-Planned Development
Hoque Global
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Stream Data Centers Hyperscale Campus (Wilmer)
Stream Data Centers
|
$300M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Dallas County scores just 14/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #853 of 996 counties. Job growth at -0.6% and median household income of $70,732 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Dallas County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $252,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,374/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Dallas County are both close to flat — population -0.0% YoY and jobs -0.6%. Home values shifted -4.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.75% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Dallas County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.