Living in Roanoke, Texas
Roanoke
More than 60 places to eat, a rebuilt Oak Street and an 1886 rock saloon.
What it's like
The short version
Roanoke sits in Denton County, with Oak Street at the center of downtown and Byron Nelson Boulevard as the main east-west road. Named the Unique Dining Capital of Texas in 2009, it has more than 60 dining options, mostly along Oak Street and US 377.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $542,000 in September 2026.
What it does well
Strong here
- A real downtown●●●
An $8 million rebuild of Oak Street added roundabouts and street lighting, and 17 food or drink spots have opened there since 2019. - Restaurants●●●
More than 60 dining options, and the Unique Dining Capital of Texas designation. - Quiet, small-town pace●●○
About 10,000 people, with a historic downtown on Oak Street. - Parks and trails●●○
Eleven city park sites include two splash pads, a pool with slides and a skate park. - Established neighborhoods●●○
The Rock Building dates to 1886, and downtown joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
The honest part
What to know first
- The city reports about 60,000 people in town during work hours.
- The longest walking trail in the city parks runs about half a mile.
Not its strength: transit options, vibrant, big-city energy, nightlife, shopping, lake days, golf, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: walkable, land and acreage, horses welcome, new construction. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Roanoke Community Park
Ball fields, a fishing pier, a pavilion and a half-mile walking trail around the pond. - Cannon Parkway Park
A splash pad, basketball and tennis courts, sand volleyball, a skate park and a walking trail. - FairPlay Park
A swimming pool with slides, softball, baseball and soccer fields, and walking trails. - Parks of Roanoke
A splash pad, a basketball court, a pavilion and a lighted walking trail. - Hawaiian Falls Waterpark
A water park with waterslides.
Eat and drink
- The Classic Cafe at Roanoke
One of the longest-running restaurants in town, open since 1993. - Bayou Jack's
Cajun food from owner Jack Layman. - Los Compadres Cantina
Tex-Mex from owner Jack Layman. - Kimiya Japanese Restaurant
A Japanese restaurant that opened in 2026.
Shop and errands
- Downtown Roanoke
Shopping, dining and entertainment around Oak Street in the historic district.
On the calendar
- Evenings on Oak Street
A concert series every other Thursday from April through June. - Taste and Tunes on Oak St.
Held the first Saturday in May. - July 3rd All American Fireworks & Festival
An Independence Day festival and fireworks on July 3. - Celebrate Roanoke
Held the second Saturday in October. - Roanoke's Hometown Holiday
Held the first Saturday in December.
What's coming
- 430 spaces between Bowie and Main streets, expected in fall 2027.
- A planned brewpub.
- A planned French bistro with a speakeasy.
- A new hotel with a full-service restaurant, slated to open in June 2028.
- A two-story building planned near Roanoke Live.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100 with Northwest ISD: city 0.326182, Northwest ISD 1.084100, Denton County 0.185938. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.
A small part of the city extends into Tarrant County, where the county-level rates differ, so check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Northwest ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Roanoke report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2025 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Redfin: Roanoke Housing Market
- 2025 DFW Tax Rates, Republic Title
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Argyle ISD leads southern Denton County in TEA Accountability Ratings
- Wikipedia: Roanoke, Texas
- Community Impact: Recipe for growth, Roanoke bolsters development with unique dining options
- City of Roanoke: City Parks
- City of Roanoke: Cultural & Recreational
- City of Roanoke: Downtown Redevelopment
- DCTA: Service Area
- City of Roanoke: Police Department