RANK #690 / 996 · POP 195,509 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%
Ellis County, Texas, is often recognized for its historic charm, particularly the elaborate Richardsonian Romanesque architecture of the Ellis County Courthouse in Waxahachie, the county seat. Located in North Central Texas, approximately 30 miles south of Dallas, the county offers a blend of historic character and modern amenities. Commuting to Dallas is feasible, with an average one-way trip of around 29.3 minutes. The community maintains a relaxed pace, with rolling prairies and wildflowers contributing to its natural scenery. Outdoor recreation opportunities include Lake Waxahachie and Lake Bardwell for fishing and boating, alongside various parks and trails like the Waxahachie Creek Hike & Bike Trail.
Life in Ellis County appeals to families and professionals seeking a suburban lifestyle with access to urban amenities. The county's public schools are generally well-regarded, with districts like Midlothian, Palmer, and Waxahachie Independent School Districts noted for their quality. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in sectors such as data centers and energy. This economic activity contributes to job creation and an increased demand for local services, supporting the county's expanding communities and infrastructure.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center Expansion (Midlothian & Red Oak)
Google
|
$40,000M | Under Construction |
|
PowerHouse Data Centers & Provident Data Centers Hyperscale Campus (Grand Prairie)
PowerHouse Data Centers & Provident Data Centers
|
$1,800M | Planned |
|
Sharka Data Center Buildings 4 & 5 (Midlothian)
Sharka LLC
|
$1,230M | Under Construction |
|
Ellis County Solar & Battery Storage Portfolio
Lightsource bp, RWE, 174 Power Global Corp., Key Capture Energy, Apex Clean Energy, Undisclosed Developers
|
$1,150M | Operating, Under Construction, Planned |
|
Databank Red Oak Data Centers (DFW11, DFW12, DFW13)
Databank
|
$975M | Under Construction |
|
Compass Datacenters Red Oak Campus Phase 2
Compass Datacenters, LLC
|
$500M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Ellis County has a Boom Town Index score of 31/100, ranking #690 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.0% and a median household income of $93,248, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Ellis County is $275,800 with median rent at $1,345/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3381, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +4.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.0%. Home values changed -1.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.73% of Ellis County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.