Living in Little Elm, Texas

Little Elm

The largest beach in North Texas, a wake park and a lakeside entertainment district.

CountyDenton

Population62,6842026

Typical home value$405,619Redfin median sale price, Aug 2026

Combined tax rate1.9610%before exemptions

Downtown Fort Worth37 mistraight line

DFW Airport19 mistraight line

What it's like

The short version

Little Elm is a Denton County town of about 62,700 along the northern and eastern shores of Lewisville Lake, which borders its central area on three sides. Established in 1844 and incorporated in 1966, it is known for The Lakefront, a lakeside entertainment district with Little Elm Beach, Hydrous Wake Park and an indoor water park.

What's for sale

Homes sold at a median near $406,000 in August 2026.

What it does well

Strong here

Parks and trails●●●
Named parks include Little Elm, Beard, Cottonwood, McCord and Union, plus trails and the largest beach in North Texas.
Lake days●●●
Lewisville Lake borders the central town on three sides, with a beach, a marina and a wake park.
Vibrant, big-city energy●●○
The Lakefront brings a water park, wake park, concerts and a bowling venue to the shoreline.
A real downtown●●○
The Lakefront is the town's signature lakeside district, combining recreation, dining and events.
Restaurants●●○
The Lakefront offers seafood, barbecue and patio dining, and Tinman Social pairs dining with bowling.
Established neighborhoods●●○
Established in 1844 and incorporated in 1966.

The honest part

What to know first

Little Elm averages 24 on Walk Score.
DCTA's service page names Denton, Lewisville, Highland Village and Frisco, not Little Elm.

Not its strength: walkable, transit options, quiet, small-town pace, nightlife, golf, new construction, luxury homes.

Not rated yet: shopping, land and acreage, horses welcome. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.

Explore it yourself

See what's around

See this search in Google Maps

Get outside

Little Elm Beach
The largest beach in North Texas, with a swim area, sand volleyball, and paddleboard and kayak rentals.
The Cove at The Lakefront
A year-round indoor water park with 11 slides, a lazy river and a surf machine.
Hydrous Wake Park
A cable wakeboarding park for beginners and experienced riders.
Lakefront Trail
About 4 miles, ending at McCord Park.
McCord Park
Hike and bike trails, a splash pad and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Cottonwood Park
Picnic areas, fishing, a sports complex and Cottonwood Creek Marina with boat rentals.
Little Elm Park
A boat ramp, amphitheater, tent camping, athletic fields and a pavilion.
Union Park
35 wooded acres north of U.S. 380 with a dog park.

Eat and drink

Tinman Social
Bowling, arcade games, dining, craft cocktails and live music at The Lakefront.

Shop and errands

Kroger Marketplace
A 123,000-square-foot store at 26587 E. University Drive with a pharmacy, general merchandise and a 14-pump fuel center.

On the calendar

Brew & Que Festival
A barbecue and drinks event at Little Elm Park in June.
Fireworks over Lewisville Lake
A seasonal fireworks show over the lake.

What's coming

The town council approved a new shopping center off U.S. Highway 380 in June 2026.

Taxes

2025 combined rate per $100 with Little Elm ISD: town 0.549901, Little Elm ISD 1.225200, Denton County 0.185938. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.

Little Elm ISD serves most of the original town. Frisco ISD, Denton ISD and Aubrey ISD serve parts of the city, which brings the 2025 combined rate to 1.755239 with Frisco ISD at 1.019400, 1.942739 with Denton ISD at 1.206900 and 1.960739 with Aubrey ISD at 1.224900. Check the unit list on the address.

School facts

Little Elm ISD: TEA rating C, 2026
Frisco ISD: TEA rating A, 2025-26
Denton ISD: TEA rating C, 2026
Aubrey ISD: TEA rating C, 2026

Do your own homework

Take it with you

Want this on paper?

Get the printable Little Elm report sent to your email.

Sources