What to Expect When Living in Highland Village, TX: Pros and Cons

Highland Village, TX, sits along the southern shore of Lake Lewisville - a quiet position inside the massive Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex that feels nothing like the rest of it. With about 16,100 residents, this Denton County community has come a long way from its origins as a weekend getaway. It's fully built out now, fully suburban, and fully committed to staying that way. That stability is a key factor for anyone buying a home in Highland Village, TX.

If you're looking at the local market, plan for median home prices around $645,000 as of mid-2026. Whether that number makes sense for you depends on how you weigh housing costs, property taxes, commute times, and what you actually want out of your daily life.

The Quick Verdict on Highland Village

You're trading the density of central Dallas for a lake-adjacent suburb. The housing stock runs from established subdivisions to newer builds, and homes move - median days on market sits at 27.

Inventory is tight. At any given time you're looking at around 58 active listings and about 2.6 months of supply. Sellers are in control here: they're routinely walking away with over 99% of list price, and more than 26% of homes close above asking. It's the kind of market where hesitation costs you.

Pros of Living Here

The lake access is real and immediate - it's not a marketing line. The city also maintains a robust parks system, and the Lewisville Independent School District zoning draws serious attention from buyers with kids. Median household incomes here run between $159,828 and $164,459, and you can see it in the infrastructure. Things are kept up.

Cons to Consider

The price point is the obvious one - $645,000 median is well above national averages, and that's before Denton County property taxes enter the picture. The commute into downtown Dallas or Fort Worth on I-35E during peak hours is a genuine grind. Combine that with thin inventory and a market where more than 26% of homes go above asking, and buyers who aren't prepared to move fast tend to lose out.

Location and County Details

Highland Village sits in southern Denton County, Texas, bordered by Lewisville to the east and south and Flower Mound to the west. It's fully integrated into the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, roughly 30 miles northwest of downtown Dallas.

Getting anywhere outside of town means you're on I-35E or FM 2499. That's just the reality of the geography.

Denton County Positioning

Being in Denton County means your tax bill has three contributors: the county, the city, and the school district. The county has grown enormously over the past decade, and Highland Village has shifted from a quiet outlier to a central suburban node in that growth. More retail and dining have followed - not inside town exactly, but right at its edges.

Population Size

Census estimates from 2023 and 2024 put the population at around 16,100, up slightly from the 15,899 counted in the 2020 Census. That stability isn't a coincidence. The city is mostly built out, with little vacant land left for large-scale new development. Don't expect it to double in size. What you see is largely what it will be.

Crime Statistics and Local Data

Highland Village runs its own police department with 33 sworn officers - roughly 2.1 per 1,000 residents. FBI data from 2023 recorded 11 violent crimes in the city, which works out to about 69 per 100,000 people, approximately 81% below the national average.

Property crime rates also trend lower than national averages. That said, aggregate sources like NeighborhoodScout classify the overall crime rate as average to slightly elevated when compared to similarly sized U.S. cities. Worth keeping in perspective.

Where to Find Official Data

Don't rely on third-party summaries for this. The Highland Village Police Department publishes annual reports and maintains a public crime map. The Denton County Sheriff's Office provides regional data that adds useful context to what you'll find at the city level.

Researching Specific Addresses

If you're serious about a particular home, plug the address into the police department's mapping tool. You'll see recent calls for service and incident reports on that specific street. The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program is also worth using if you want to compare Highland Village's numbers directly against neighboring towns.

Cost of Living and Housing Prices

The median sale price in Highland Village is roughly $645,000 as of mid-2026 - a 6.2% year-over-year increase. Homes are spending less than a month on the market. Supply sits at about 2.6 months, sellers have the leverage, and more than a quarter of recent sales closed above list.

That's the market you're walking into.

Home Prices and Market Trends

Some 2024 census and aggregate sources placed median property values closer to $550,000, but current MLS closing data tells a different story. Buyers should budget for the $600,000 to $700,000 range for a standard single-family home. The gap between what data aggregators report and what things are actually selling for is real, and it matters when you're setting expectations.

Rent and Everyday Costs

If you want to lease first, average rent in Highland Village runs around $2,260 per month. A three-bedroom home averages about $2,420; four-bedroom properties run around $3,260. On top of that, Denton County property taxes add a meaningful line item to monthly housing costs - something renters transitioning to ownership here sometimes underestimate.

Community Profile

Median household income in Highland Village falls between $159,828 and $164,459 based on recent Census estimates - more than double the national median. The community is primarily residential, with commercial activity concentrated along the FM 2499 corridor. The interior streets are quiet by design.

Population and Growth

At roughly 16,100 residents spread across just over five square miles, Highland Village is small relative to its immediate neighbors. The city boundaries are fixed and the land is largely developed, so significant population growth isn't on the horizon. Slow and steady is the more likely trajectory.

Civic Life and Amenities

The city manages an extensive trail system and multiple community parks. The Shops at Highland Village serve as the main retail and dining hub - outdoor shopping, restaurants, the usual. The municipal government also organizes local events and community programs throughout the year.

Climate, Environment, and Things to Do

Highland Village gets the standard North Texas deal: hot summers, mild winters, and spring storm seasons that can turn serious. July and August regularly push past 100 degrees. Severe thunderstorms with hail and high winds are a real springtime concern.

Major earthquakes aren't a historical issue here, though residents did feel a magnitude 5.1 quake centered about 170 miles away in February 2024.

Access to Lake Lewisville

The town's northern border runs along Lake Lewisville, and that proximity is one of the main reasons buyers choose this zip code over landlocked suburbs nearby. Pilot Knoll Park is the go-to spot for camping, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It's close, it's accessible, and it's genuinely useful on a regular basis - not just on vacations.

Local Recreation

The city's Inland Trail System connects neighborhoods to parks and retail centers without requiring a car. Doubletree Ranch Park has soccer fields, a splash pad, and walking trails. The extensive parks and trails offer residents outdoor options that are integrated into daily life.

Highland Village vs. the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

The choice between Highland Village and other parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area really comes down to two variables: your budget and how much commuting you're willing to absorb. Highland Village has a lake-town feel that most of DFW simply doesn't offer.

Living closer to Dallas or Fort Worth gets you shorter drive times, more cultural institutions, and better access to transit infrastructure. Whether that trade is worth it depends entirely on what you're prioritizing.

Tradeoffs to Consider

The core exchange is space and environment against urban convenience. Highland Village gives you larger lots and lake access. It does not give you walkability or meaningful public transit options. A car is not optional here - it's required for nearly every errand.

Cost and Commute Comparisons

At a $645,000 median, Highland Village is priced above the broader DFW average but competes closely with neighboring Flower Mound. Commuters heading to downtown Dallas or DFW International Airport should plan for I-35E traffic, particularly during the morning rush. It's not a short drive under bad conditions.

Local Schools and Amenities

Public schools here fall under the Lewisville Independent School District, which sets attendance zones that determine where each address sends its kids. There are three elementary schools and one middle school physically located within Highland Village's city limits.

For high school, students are zoned to Marcus High School - which sits in neighboring Flower Mound, not in Highland Village itself. That surprises some buyers.

Lewisville ISD Boundaries

Verify your specific address with the Lewisville Independent School District before you close - not after. Attendance zones shift based on enrollment, and what was true a year ago may not be true now. Current boundary maps are on the district's official website.

Parks and Daily Conveniences

Most neighborhoods in Highland Village sit within a short drive of grocery stores and medical clinics along FM 2499. Some residents can reach those same retail centers on foot or by bike via the Inland Trail System. It's a reasonable balance - residential quiet on the inside, practical amenities close to the edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are property taxes and typical HOA fees for homes in Highland Village, TX?

It depends on the specific neighborhood and what Denton County assesses the home's value at. County property taxes apply across the board, and many subdivisions also carry mandatory HOA fees that vary by community.

How does living in Highland Village compare to neighboring Flower Mound?

Both towns share similar housing styles and feed into the Lewisville Independent School District, including Marcus High School. Highland Village is smaller and sits closer to Lake Lewisville's shoreline, while Flower Mound covers more ground and has more commercial development.

What are the biggest downsides or hidden costs of buying a home in Highland Village?

The median home price - around $645,000 - is the obvious one. Denton County property taxes add to that. Buyers also need to account for the commute to downtown Dallas or Fort Worth, which can get long depending on when you're on I-35E.

Are all neighborhoods in Highland Village zoned for Marcus High School?

Yes, based on current Lewisville Independent School District boundaries, high school students in Highland Village attend Marcus High School. Always confirm your specific address with the district, since zoning can change.

Do all Highland Village residents get direct access to Lake Lewisville?

No - direct water access depends on where your property sits. That said, all residents can reach the lake through public access points like Pilot Knoll Park.

How long is the typical daily commute from Highland Village to downtown Dallas or DFW Airport?

It depends heavily on the time of day and traffic conditions on I-35E and FM 2499. The drive to DFW Airport or downtown Dallas typically runs 30 to 45 minutes, but rush hour can push that higher.