Living in Melissa, Texas
Melissa
A U.S. 75 city with fast-growing neighborhoods, a sports complex and a long trail plan.
What it's like
The short version
Melissa sits in Collin County on U.S. 75, about 38 miles north of Dallas, where State Highway 121 meets the freeway. The railroad arrived in the early 1870s, and the city now covers about 21 square miles, with the Z-Plex sports complex on East Melissa Road.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $445,000 in September 2026. The city puts the average single-family home value at $493,000. Households rose from 4,164 in 2020 to 7,704 in 2025, and the city has issued more than 500 residential permits a year.
What it does well
Strong here
- New construction●●●
Households nearly doubled from 4,164 in 2020 to 7,704 in 2025, with more than 500 residential permits a year. - Shopping●●○
H-E-B, Kroger and Buc-ee's all rank among the city's top employers. - Parks and trails●●○
Nine named park sites, including the Z-Plex and Zadow Park, plus a trail system. - Established neighborhoods●●○
The town was laid out when the railroad arrived in 1872.
The honest part
What to know first
- One residential address in Melissa scores 6 on Walk Score.
- Melissa is not among the 12 cities in DART's service area.
Not its strength: walkable, transit options, quiet, small-town pace, vibrant, big-city energy, lake days, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: a real downtown, restaurants, nightlife, golf, land and acreage, horses welcome. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Ford Sports Village at The Z-Plex
Eight turf baseball and softball fields, soccer fields and 12 tennis courts at 4220 East Melissa Road. - Zadow Park
Three baseball fields, a sand volleyball court, a basketball and inline skate court, a pavilion and an interactive playground. - City Hall Plaza Park
A large pavilion, walking paths, a central spray fountain and a nighttime light show. - Country Ridge Park
A passive park with decomposed granite trails and a winding stream. - Bob Miller Park
A pavilion, a playground and restrooms on Miller Road. - Hike and Bike Trail
Runs along Melissa Road from U.S. 75 to Fannin Road, part of a planned 41-mile system.
Shop and errands
- H-E-B
A 136,000-square-foot store at 1230 Central Expressway with a pharmacy and a Tru Texas BBQ restaurant.
On the calendar
- Melissa Tribute Festival
A community festival on the city's parks calendar. - Sunset Cinema
Movies in the park. - Tree Lighting Ceremony
The city's holiday lighting event.
Taxes
2025 rates per $100 with Melissa ISD: Melissa ISD 1.224500, Collin County 0.149343, Collin College 0.081220. Add the city rate shown on the parcel record. Homestead not applied.
Check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Melissa ISD: TEA rating A, 2026
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Melissa report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2026 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Redfin: Melissa Housing Market
- 2025 DFW Tax Rates, Republic Title
- Independence Title: Collin County Tax Rates
- Community Impact: Collin County property tax rates for FY 2025-26 (Sep 8, 2025)
- City of Melissa: Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Annual Budget
- City of Melissa: Notice About 2025 Tax Rates
- Wikipedia: Melissa, Texas
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Melissa ISD
- City of Melissa: Parks and Recreation
- City of Melissa: Hike and Bike Trail
- Independence Title: Discover Melissa
- Community Impact: H-E-B sells groceries, Tru Texas BBQ at new Melissa store (May 14, 2025)
- Walk Score: 3703 Republic Trail, Melissa
- DART: Facts about Dallas Area Rapid Transit
- DART: Collin County Transit Service Area
- Redfin: Melissa Market