Living in Van Alstyne, Texas
Van Alstyne
A splash pad district, ballfields and open land on U.S. 75 at the Grayson-Collin line.
What it's like
The short version
Van Alstyne sits mainly in Grayson County, with its southern limits in Collin County, on U.S. 75 about 50 miles north of Dallas. Founded in 1873, it is named for Marie Van Alstyne, a major railway shareholder, and it became a home rule city in 2022.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $360,000 in the three months ending August 2026, with 41 homes sold in August. A 667-acre development on the county line was approved with plans for more than 2,000 homes and 300 townhouses.
What it does well
Strong here
- Quiet, small-town pace●●○
About 7,200 people. - Parks and trails●●○
Five city parks, led by Forrest Moore Park and the Central Social District splash pad. - New construction●●○
A 667-acre development with more than 2,000 homes and 300 townhouses was approved on the county line. - Established neighborhoods●●○
Founded in 1873 and incorporated in 1890.
The honest part
What to know first
- One address on Waco Street scores 6 on Walk Score.
- Van Alstyne is not among the 12 cities in DART's service area.
- The combined 2025 rate runs about 2.18 per $100 there, against about 1.96 on a Collin County address.
Not its strength: walkable, vibrant, big-city energy, a real downtown, lake days, land and acreage, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: transit options, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, golf, horses welcome. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Central Social District
A gathering space at 215 E. Van Alstyne Parkway with a daily splash pad. - Forrest Moore Park
A paved walking trail, two pavilions, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts and ballfields on South Waco Street. - Dorothy Fielder Park
Benches, picnic tables, a fountain and a rentable gazebo at East Jefferson and North Main. - McKinney Wilson Park
Two softball fields, a playground, a concession stand and a gazebo. - North Park
A pavilion, a playground and a softball green space on Grays Trail.
On the calendar
- Christmas Parade
A city parade with entries registered through the city.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100 on the Grayson County side with Van Alstyne ISD: city 0.553713, Van Alstyne ISD 1.174800, Grayson County 0.305100, Grayson College 0.145980. Homestead not applied. Choctaw Watershed is not included.
On a Collin County address, Collin County and Collin College replace the Grayson units, for a total of 1.959076. Choctaw Watershed at 0.003705 is not included; if it applies, the Grayson County total is 2.183298. Check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Van Alstyne ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
Take it with you
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Get the printable Van Alstyne report sent to your email.
Sources
- City Population: Van Alstyne
- Redfin: Van Alstyne Housing Market
- Grayson CAD: 2025 Tax Rate Summary Chart
- Community Impact: Collin County property tax rates for FY 2025-26 (Sep 8, 2025)
- 2025 DFW Tax Rates, Republic Title
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Van Alstyne ISD
- Wikipedia: Van Alstyne, Texas
- Independence Title: Van Alstyne, Texas
- KXII: Van Alstyne's population could more than triple by 2030 (Aug 20, 2024)
- Grayson CAD: 2025 Certified Totals, City of Van Alstyne
- City of Van Alstyne: Home
- Walk Score: 1722 Waco Street, Van Alstyne
- DART: Facts about Dallas Area Rapid Transit