With a blend of suburban comfort and urban convenience, Carrollton is a great place for families. The city boasts a safe environment and a sense of community, evident in its local events and festivals in charming Historic Downtown Carrollton. With numerous parks and recreational facilities, there’s ample space for exploring and family fun.
Carrollton is a smart option for commuters—it’s served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit and also has access to major highways and proximity to big-city amenities and job opportunities. For those looking for a peaceful suburban lifestyle with metropolitan conveniences at their fingertips, Carrollton fits the bill.
NEARBY:
Carrollton is bordered by Coppell, Addison, Farmers Branch, Lewisville and Little Elm
Carrollton Fast Facts
POPULATION
132,918
2023 U.S. Census
REAL ESTATE
$435,000
Median listing price, realtor.com
Neighborhood Gems
Carrollton Early Childhood PTA: Focusing on activities, support, friendships and education for families in Carrollton and surrounding areas. cecpta.org
Fit4Mom: The Carrollton/The Colony chapter of this fitness group meets for Stroller Barre and Stroller Strides, and also offers Run Club+, an 8-week training program. carrollton.fit4mom.com
Metrocrest Parents of Multiples: This support group for those raising twins, triplets or more in the Carrollton area and beyond meets monthly to connect and share experiences. MPOM also offers mom’s nights out, kids’ socials, service projects and a group for those expecting multiples. mpom.net
MomCo: These groups of moms with infants through kindergarteners meet through Bent Tree Bible Fellowship and First Baptist Church at The Fields to socialize, hear from speakers and do creative activities. Older kids? Try MomsNEXT Table at Bent Tree, a table discussion group for mothers with school-aged children. benttree.org/momco
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Carrollton Artisans Market: Come Sundays to stroll this market at Trinity Valley where you’ll find staples like produce, meat, honey, breads and jams, and also special treats like pies, cookies, pastries and candy. // 2722 N. Josey Ln., Carrollton; fourseasonsmarkets.com
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A.W. Perry Homestead Museum: Step back in time and experience what early 20th-century North Texas life was like at this restored 1909 farmhouse. Showcasing period furnishings, it reflects the daily lives of the Perry family, pioneer settlers of Carrollton. // 1509 N. Perry Rd., Carrollton; cityofcarrollton.com
Elm Fork Nature Preserve: Wander along trails that wind through woodlands and prairies and observe local wildlife. The preserve offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and appreciating the beauty of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. // 2335 Sandy Lake Rd., Carrollton; cityofcarrollton.com
Historic Downtown Carrollton: With its brick streets and beautifully preserved buildings, the area exudes small-town charm. Offering a mix of local businesses, here you can explore unique boutiques and antique shops, and savor diverse cuisines. The historic square frequently hosts community events and festivals. // 1100 Elm St., Carrollton; historicdowntowncarrollton.com
Plaza Arts Center: This landmark in the Historic Downtown Carrollton was originally a movie theater built in 1949 in the art deco style. It has been renovated and repurposed into a versatile venue that hosts arts exhibitions in its galleries, performing arts events, music recitals and dance performances. // 1115 4th Ave., Carrollton; plazaartscenter.com
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KidTopia: Just for kiddos ages 2 to 8, this play space has all they’ll want for indoor fun—interactive play zones, slides and carousels. And with a kids’ theater, supermarket and play hospital, there are plenty of opportunities for pretend play. // 2700 Old Denton Rd., Suite 116, Carrollton; kidtopiausa.com
RELATED: Indoor Play Places Around DFW
Property Tax Rate
(per $100 accessed value)
Dallas County / Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD: 1.73%
Dallas County / Dallas ISD: 1.75%
Denton County / Lewisville ISD: 1.84%
Portions of areas in Carrollton within Dallas County also pay Dallas College (0.105), Dallas County Hospital (0.212) and Valwood Improvement Authority (0.600) taxes. Property tax rates may vary slightly depending on location and taxing entities.
Child Care Centers & Preschools in Carrollton
Carrollton Schools
Public School Districts
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District
• 24,000+ students
• 24 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 5 high schools and 3 specialized learning centers
• TEA rating: C
Dallas Independent School District
• 141,000+ students
• 138 elementary schools, 35 middle schools, 23 multi-level schools and 36 high schools
• TEA rating: C
Lewisville Independent School District
• 48,900+ students
• 39 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 5 high schools, 5 ninth and 10th grade campuses, 6 specialized campuses
• TEA rating: B
Learn more about the Texas Education Agency’s accountability rating system at tea.texas.gov.
Mom-Approved Pediatricians in Carrollton
Find more DFWChild Mom-Approved Pediatricians near you.
Top Family Neighborhoods
Amanda Monaco, a sales agent with Douglas Elliman, shares three great neighborhoods for families in Carrollton.
Castle Hills
A master-planned community with golf courses and parks, Castle Hills offers high-quality homes for families. The mixed-used community is conveniently located close to freeways, airports and major corporate headquarters. It’s recognized as a premier community for living, shopping and dining. Learn more at realtor.com.
Indian Creek
Known for its spacious homes, green spaces and proximity to schools, Indian Creek is a great place to raise a family. Here you’ll enjoy a community clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, playground and pond and common spaces throughout. Learn more at realtor.com.
The Homestead at Carrollton
Located in North Carrollton near the intersection of Hebron and Josey Lane, The Homestead at Carrollton is a community with a small-town feel and features like a clubhouse and pool, entertaining facilities and more. Great for families, it offers a playground and social events to connect with your neighbors. Learn more at realtor.com.
Carrollton Mom Life
Why Emily Villaseca Calls Carrollton Home
After moving around the Dallas area for a little over a decade, Emily Villaseca, 35, settled into Carrollton two years ago to put down roots while raising her three boys. The dietician and founder of Pass the Chia was drawn to the city’s amenities and room to grow.
“Carrollton has a slower pace and wide-open space that is hard to come by in Dallas. At the same time, you’ve got easy access to so many DFW essentials—your choice of airports, a day trip to the Stockyards or zoo, or staying very local and enjoying downtown Carrollton. There are options for everyone.”
Emily’s Carrollton Picks
Family Outing
“With three very active little boys, getting outside and romping around is a must. We take time every weekend to head to a park to bike, play soccer, fly kites, or enjoy the playgrounds. Our favorite is Harvest Run Park. The playground is covered, a critical element for hot summer days. There’s also a huge open space that’s perfect for flying kites, a great loop for scooting or riding bikes, and we always end our trip by picking out a book from the Free Little Library there.”
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
“Cane Rosso in downtown Carrollton. Pizza is an easy sell for my kids and the environment is enjoyable for the whole family. You get delicious pizza and afterwards you can run around the square or grab ice cream from Beth Marie’s just down the street. We also love Munay, the best Peruvian restaurant we’ve found on this side of the Metroplex. My husband is Peruvian and we’re so glad we have a restaurant right down the street where we can share authentic Peruvian food with our kids.”
Date Night
“One of our favorite date nights was dinner at a small place off Trinity Mills called The Island Spot. The whole experience is a tribute to the Caribbean, and you’ll get authentic Jamaican food you won’t find anywhere else. We paired this with a movie but you could also put a quirky spin on date night and follow dinner with a competition at Nickle Mania, an arcade in the same shopping complex.”
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Family-Friendly Events In & Around Carrollton
CPOA Daddy Daughter Dance
Bent Tree Bible Fellowship Church
The Big Easy in Little Elm
Little Elm Park
The H-E-B | Central Market Family Series: Winds and Wagging Tails
Addison Theatre Centre
IRONKIDS
The Cove at The Lakefront
Wizard of Oz on Ice
Coppell Arts Center
Find more family fun events every day of the week at dfwchild.com/calendar.