RANK #773 / 1001 NAT · #46 / 72 TX · POP 2,621,179
1YR FORECAST: -1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
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.
Dallas County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -3.5% matches the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
At 22/100, Dallas County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $76,547 combined with job growth of +0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Dallas County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $303,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,565/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Dallas County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). Home values shifted -3.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.81% 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.