Living in Northlake, Texas
Northlake
A Dallas Stars rink, food trucks and planned communities along FM 407 off I-35W.
What it's like
The short version
Northlake is a Denton County town along I-35W and FM 407, northwest of Grapevine Lake. It incorporated in 1960 as a ranch community, and its 2045 comprehensive plan aims to keep half the town in open space and large lots while Pecan Square and other planned communities build out.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a three-month median near $575,000 through August 2026, with 99 sales in August. Pecan Square, a Hillwood master-planned community, covers about 1,157 acres west and south of I-35W and FM 407.
What it does well
Strong here
- New construction●●●
Pecan Square covers about 1,157 acres, built in six phases. - Land and acreage●●○
The 2045 comprehensive plan aims to keep 50% of the town in open space and large lots. - Established neighborhoods●●○
Incorporated on December 28, 1960.
The honest part
What to know first
- Floodplain, gas wells and distribution lines limit development on much of the town's land.
- One Northlake address scores 25 on Walk Score.
- DCTA names Denton, Highland Village and Lewisville as its member cities, not Northlake.
Not its strength: walkable, transit options, quiet, small-town pace, vibrant, big-city energy, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, parks and trails, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: a real downtown, lake days, golf, horses welcome. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Northlake StarCenter
A Dallas Stars-run multisport facility with ice hockey leagues and clinics. - Pecan Square Town Square
Two pools, a fitness center and a 22,000-square-foot event space, with more parks, a pickleball facility and another pool complex beyond it.
Eat and drink
- Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill
Sports bar fare inside the StarCenter, from wings and burgers to jambalaya and butter chicken. - Hilltop Truck Park
Food trucks on a 55-acre property along FM 407.
Shop and errands
- Harvest Town Center
A Tom Thumb-anchored center on the FM 407 corridor.
What's coming
- A new store at the southwest corner of FM 407 and Cleveland-Gibbs Road.
- Plans for the Hilltop Truck Park site include a covered food venue, a live music venue and a 9-hole, par-3 public golf course.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100 with Northwest ISD: town 0.295000, Northwest ISD 1.084100, Denton County 0.185938. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.
Most of the town is in Northwest ISD, with some areas in Argyle ISD and Ponder ISD, so the school rate differs there. With Argyle ISD at 1.172700 the total is 1.653638, and with Ponder ISD at 1.276600 it is 1.756538. Check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Northwest ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
- Argyle ISD: TEA rating A, 2026
- Ponder ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Northlake report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2026 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Redfin: Northlake Housing Market
- Republic Title: 2025 DFW Area Tax Rates
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Argyle ISD leads southern Denton County in TEA Accountability Ratings
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Ponder ISD
- Wikipedia: Northlake, Texas
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Northlake gears for growth
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Northlake approves new comp plan
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Global sports bar concept opens new location in Northlake
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Hilltop Truck Park plans next phase of growth in Northlake
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Northlake StarCenter opening approaches
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Northlake approves plans for Starbucks
- Hillwood Communities: Pecan Square
- Walk Score: 13261 Raceway Drive, Northlake
- DCTA: Updated transit brings integration of GoZone and Transit Royale, August 2025