Plano, Texas

Plano at a glance

Plano sits about 20 miles north of downtown Dallas, mostly in Collin County with a small portion in Denton County. It grew from a small farm town into one of the region’s largest suburbs, and today it is known for corporate headquarters around Legacy, an extensive park and trail system, and the brick streets of the Downtown Plano Arts District.

Housing ranges from established single-family neighborhoods to apartments and townhomes near Legacy, downtown, and the city’s redeveloping retail centers.

Areas to explore

Housing market

Much of Plano’s housing was built during its rapid growth in the late 20th century, so many neighborhoods feature single-family homes on established lots. Newer townhomes and apartments are concentrated around Legacy, downtown near DART, and redevelopment sites such as Collin Creek and Willow Bend. Values vary widely by area, age of home, and school district, so compare recent sales for the specific neighborhood rather than the city average.

For a price estimate on a specific home, ask for a comparative market analysis based on nearby closed sales.

Parks, recreation & things to do

Plano’s parks system includes several large nature preserves connected by trails.

• In PlanoOak Point Park & Nature Preserve — Plano’s largest park at about 800 acres, with roughly 8 miles of paved trails, natural paths along Rowlett Creek, a pond for paddling, and the annual Plano Balloon Festival.
• In PlanoArbor Hills Nature Preserve — A 200-acre preserve on the city’s western edge with paved trails, natural hiking paths, and a mountain bike loop.
• In PlanoLegacy Trail — A trail through West Plano along the White Rock Creek lakes, connecting to nearby neighborhoods.
• In PlanoHeritage Farmstead Museum — A living history museum that shows 19th-century farm and ranch life in Collin County.
• In PlanoGo Ape treetop course — A ropes and zip-line course inside Oak Point Park.

Dining, shopping & culture

Plano’s dining and shopping are spread across several distinct districts.

• In PlanoLegacy West and Legacy Hall — A mixed-use district with shops, restaurants, and Legacy Hall, a multi-level food hall with dozens of vendors and a beer garden.
• In PlanoThe Shops at Legacy — A walkable town-center district of restaurants and shops near Legacy West.
• In PlanoDowntown Plano Arts District — Local restaurants, boutiques, and antique shops along historic 15th Street, plus the Courtyard Theater, McCall Plaza, and the Interurban Railway Museum in a restored 1908 station.
• In PlanoThe Shops at Willow Bend — An enclosed mall approved by the city for conversion into an open-air shopping and mixed-use center.

Getting around

• Highways: US-75 (Central Expressway), the Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, and Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH 121).
• DART light rail stops at Downtown Plano and Parker Road stations, with service toward Dallas.
• The DART Silver Line, opened in October 2025, stops at 12th Street and Shiloh Road stations in Plano and runs west through Richardson, Addison, and Carrollton to DFW International Airport.
• Downtown Dallas is about 20 miles south; drive times vary widely by route and time of day, so test your commute when you’ll actually travel.

Schools

Plano ISD serves most of the city. Some areas, mainly in west and north Plano, are served by Frisco ISD or Lewisville ISD, and Plano ISD also serves parts of several neighboring cities.

• Plano ISD
• Frisco ISD
• Lewisville ISD

School assignments depend on the exact property address and can change. Confirm the district and assigned campuses with the district before you make an offer or sign a lease.

Keep exploring

Planning a move? Start with our home buying guide, home selling guide, or rental guide.