Living in Richardson, Texas
Richardson
The Telecom Corridor, DART rail and the CORE District downtown.
What it's like
The short version
Richardson sits just north of Dallas, with most of the city in Dallas County and its northern third in Collin County. U.S. 75 and DART rail run through the city, which is home to UT Dallas and the Telecom Corridor.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $482,000 in September 2026. The city is about 98% built out, so most new housing is infill or redevelopment.
What it does well
Strong here
- Transit options●●●
DART light rail has four stations in the city, and the Silver Line stops at UT Dallas and CityLine. - Parks and trails●●●
30 parks and more than 40 miles of trails, led by 417-acre Breckinridge Park. - Golf●●●
Sherrill Park has two 18-hole municipal courses, and Canyon Creek Country Club adds a private 18. - Established neighborhoods●●●
Lots sold from 1874, and the population grew from about 1,300 in 1950 to 48,405 in 1970. - Walkable●●○
Walk Score rates the city 44. - Vibrant, big-city energy●●○
More than 5,000 businesses, including the Telecom Corridor, plus the UT Dallas campus. - A real downtown●●○
The CORE District joins downtown and Lockwood, with dining, coffee shops and co-working space. - Restaurants●●○
The CORE District is known for its dining and coffee shops. - Nightlife●●○
Lockwood has grown into a social spot with Richardson's only distillery. - Shopping●●○
CityLine mixes shops, restaurants, a grocery store and a movie theater. - Luxury homes●●○
Redfin puts the median sale price near $482,000.
The honest part
What to know first
- The city is about 98% built out, and most remaining undeveloped land is zoned commercial.
- The combined 2025 rate runs about 2.18 per $100 on the Dallas County side with Richardson ISD.
Not its strength: quiet, small-town pace, lake days, land and acreage, new construction.
Not rated yet: horses welcome. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Breckinridge Park
The largest park on the city's list at 417 acres, with a disc golf course. - Central Trail
A 12-foot-wide multi-use path running mostly alongside U.S. 75 from city limit to city limit. - Bush Central Barkway
A six-acre dog park with separate large and small dog areas. - Huffhines Tennis Center
Ten lighted courts with classes and leagues. - Sherrill Park Golf Course
Two 18-hole municipal courses.
Eat and drink
- Lockwood Distillery
Richardson's only distillery, with lunch, dinner and brunch and a Southern comfort-food twist. - Communion Coffee Cafe
Coffee, breakfast, lunch and co-working space in Lockwood. - Four Bullets Brewery
English-style ales on N. Interurban St.
Shop and errands
- CityLine
Shops, restaurants, a grocery store and a movie theater. - Cottonwood Market Antique Mall
Antiques, home decor and furniture.
On the calendar
- Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival
An arts and music event. - Cottonwood Art Festival
An art festival. - Richardson Farmers Market
Produce, meats and pastries from local vendors at the Dal-Rich Shopping Center.
What's coming
- A four-story building with 281 apartments within walking distance of Main Street, due in late 2027.
- 36 townhomes on a three-acre lot at Belt Line and Jupiter roads.
- 89 townhomes starting around $500,000.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100, Dallas County address with Richardson ISD: city 0.542180, Dallas County 0.215500, Parkland Hospital 0.212000, Dallas College 0.106575, Richardson ISD 1.105200. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.
About 43,000 people live in the Collin County part of the city, which Plano ISD serves. That side pays Collin County at 0.149343, Collin College at 0.081220 and Plano ISD at 1.039550, for about 1.812293. Check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Richardson ISD: TEA rating B, 2025-26
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Richardson report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2025 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Redfin: Richardson Housing Market
- Dallas County Tax Office: 2025 Tax Rates
- Community Impact: Collin County property tax rates for FY 2025-26
- Community Impact: Richardson ISD advances to B rating for 2025-26
- Wikipedia: Richardson, Texas
- City of Richardson: Things to See and Do
- Independence Title: Discover Richardson
- Walk Score: Richardson
- Richardson Today: DART Silver Line now in service
- Richardson Today: The CORE District welcomes new businesses
- CultureMap Dallas: Las Lomas and Oak Highlands in Richardson
- Community Impact: Developers break ground on 281-unit community in Richardson
- Community Impact: The missing middle in Richardson