Living in Celina, Texas
Celina
A historic downtown square, Friday Night Markets and fishing lakes at Old Celina Park.
What it's like
The short version
Celina sits mainly in Collin County, with a smaller part in Denton County, between Preston Road and the Dallas North Tollway. The town moved to its present site when the railroad arrived in 1902, and its downtown square dates to the early 1910s.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $500,000 in the three months ending September 2026. The city issued 2,850 single-family permits in 2024, and population rose from 16,739 in 2020 to an estimated 78,647 in 2026.
What it does well
Strong here
- New construction●●●
The city issued 2,850 single-family permits in 2024. - A real downtown●●○
The Historic Downtown Square has local businesses and events, with City Hall and the library nearby. - Restaurants●●○
The historic square has a wide variety of restaurants, and The Silos adds firepits and live music. - Parks and trails●●○
Old Celina Park has sports fields, trails and fishing lakes, and Founders Station Park adds courts downtown.
The honest part
What to know first
- One location in Celina scores 40 on Walk Score.
- The city's transit program is on-demand Collin County Transit rides for eligible residents.
Not its strength: walkable, transit options, quiet, small-town pace, vibrant, big-city energy, nightlife, shopping, lake days, established neighborhoods, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: golf, land and acreage, horses welcome. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Old Celina Park
Sports fields, a walking trail, a Storybook Trail and catch-and-release fishing lakes. - Founders Station Park
A downtown park with tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, a gazebo, a playground, horseshoe pits and picnic areas.
Eat and drink
- The Silos in Celina
A restaurant with a cigar lounge and an outdoor yard, plus live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Shop and errands
- Historic Downtown Square
Local businesses and shops around the square.
On the calendar
- Friday Night Markets
Monthly markets in town. - Christmas on the Square
A holiday event on the historic square. - Music and movie nights
Seasonal evenings on the downtown square.
What's coming
- A 115,245-square-foot project with a parking garage at 302 West Walnut Street.
- The city bought the downtown property at 132 North Louisiana Drive to expand community space, and its use is being decided.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100 on the Collin County side with Celina ISD: city 0.576401, Celina ISD 1.208900, Collin County with Collin College 0.230563. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.
About 9,600 people live in the Denton County part, which runs 1.971239 with Celina ISD. Prosper ISD also serves part of the city, and its 1.214100 rate brings the Collin County total to 2.021064. Check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Celina ISD: TEA rating B, 2025-26
- Prosper ISD: TEA rating A, 2025-26
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Celina report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2026 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Redfin: Celina Housing Market
- 2025 DFW Tax Rates, Republic Title
- Community Impact: Celina ISD receives B accountability rating for 2025-26
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Prosper ISD
- Community Impact: Celina ISD lowers tax rate for 2025-26
- Celina EDC: Fold-out Map 2025
- Independence Title: Discover Celina
- Community Impact: Celina buys former downtown restaurant property The Forge 1912
- The Silos in Celina: Calendar
- Walk Score: Celina
- City of Celina: Transportation