Living in Lancaster, Texas
Lancaster
A historic town square, a reopened theatre and horse trails at Bear Creek.
What it's like
The short version
Lancaster sits about 15 miles south of downtown Dallas, with Interstate 35E on its west side and Interstate 20 across its far north. A. Bledsoe laid out the town square in 1852, the Historic Lancaster Theatre has reopened on it, and the park system covers more than 600 acres.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $280,000 in the three months ending June 2026.
What it does well
Strong here
- A real downtown●●○
The Historic Town Square holds the reopened Historic Lancaster Theatre, and the city invested in reviving the square. - Restaurants●●○
Fourteen spots in one Lancaster dining guide, with barbecue, Veracruz-style food and a bakery on the town square. - Parks and trails●●○
The park system covers more than 600 acres. - Golf●●○
Country View Golf Club on West Beltline Road is taking tee times. - Established neighborhoods●●○
The town was laid out in 1852, and the city incorporated in 1886.
The honest part
What to know first
- Walk Score rates the city 22, so almost all errands take a car.
- STAR Transit service here is dial-a-ride and same-day rides by app.
- The combined 2025 rate runs about 2.36 per $100 on a Dallas County address with Lancaster ISD.
Not its strength: walkable, transit options, quiet, small-town pace, vibrant, big-city energy, nightlife, shopping, lake days, horses welcome, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: land and acreage, new construction. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Bear Creek Nature Park
189 acres with equestrian and walking trails. - Lancaster Community Park
170 acres with Contemplation Lake. - Ten Mile Creek Preserve
A nature preserve in the city park system. - Pleasant Run Hike & Bike Trail
A 2.4-mile trail. - Heritage Park
A park with a gazebo just north of the town square. - Country View Golf Club
An 18-hole, par-70 public course on West Belt Line Road.
Eat and drink
- Hug BBQ
Brisket and handmade sausage at 133 Historic Town Square. - La Calle Doce
Veracruz-style Mexican food and seafood at 161 Historic Town Square. - Kyotobrew
A Japanese-inspired coffee house with matcha, baked goods and cocktails at 121 Historic Town Square. - The Lovin' Oven Bakery
Cakes, pies and brownies at 181 Historic Town Square. - Curio Kitchen + Market
A gourmet market with sandwiches, soups and burgers at 129 Historic Town Square.
On the calendar
- Historic Lancaster Theatre
Live theater, comedy, film, music and magic on the town square.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100, Dallas County address with Lancaster ISD: city 0.599490, Dallas County 0.215500, Parkland Hospital 0.212000, Dallas College 0.106575, Lancaster ISD 1.224400, Dallas County School Equalization 0.000000. Homestead not applied.
Lancaster ISD serves most of the city, with Dallas ISD and Ferris ISD in small parts. The total is 2.127400 with Dallas ISD at 0.993835 and 2.364365 with Ferris ISD at 1.230800, so check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Lancaster ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
- Dallas ISD: TEA rating B, 2025-26
- Ferris ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Lancaster report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2026 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Redfin: Lancaster Housing Market
- Dallas County Tax Office: 2025 Tax Rates
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Lancaster ISD
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Dallas ISD
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Ferris ISD
- Wikipedia: Lancaster, Texas
- City of Lancaster: Park Sites
- City of Lancaster: Attractions
- D Magazine: Restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries in Lancaster (Sep 5, 2025)
- KERA: Historic Lancaster Theatre reopens (Apr 11, 2026)
- GolfNow: Country View Golf Club
- Walk Score: Lancaster
- STAR Transit: About
- Independence Title: Ellis County Tax Rates 2025