# Living in Blue Ridge, TX: Realust Score 73

> Source: Realust (realust.com), data as of October 2026. Cite: https://realust.com/city/blue-ridge/

URL: https://realust.com/city/blue-ridge/
County: Collin
Realust Score: 73/100 (B, Good), tied for #58 of 84. Base 73 + price-tier bonus 0.
Category scores: Prosperity 65, Schools 78, Safety 89, Lifestyle 78, Market 55, Affordability 64, Commute 50, Growth 84
Median home price: $435K
Population: 1,104
Market momentum: Stable (home prices +1.1% over 1 year, +21.0% over 5 years)

Blue Ridge, TX is a very small, rural Collin County town that feels country-first—big lots, farming and ranching traces, and a slow-pace residential rhythm. Most of the place reads agricultural or low-density residential rather than suburban: you’ll find older farmsteads, some newer hobby-acreage lots, and a handful of modest commercial spots but no major retail center, so daily life is car-dependent and errands usually mean driving to nearby Princeton, Farmersville, or Lavon for groceries and services. Commutes into the larger job hubs of Plano, McKinney, or Dallas require longer drives on two-lane roads and state highways, so travel times can be significant in peak hours; many residents accept that tradeoff for privacy and land. Schools are a definite local anchor—Blue Ridge Independent School District is small and community-focused, but you should still confirm exact zoning for any property. The appeal is quiet space, lower immediate housing density, and a genuine rural feel; the tradeoffs are limited in-town amenities, longer drives for most needs, and a lifestyle that assumes you’ll “borrow” shopping and entertainment from neighboring towns.

Strengths:
- Affordable land compared to closer-in suburbs – More space for your money
- Room for hobbies or animals – Great for gardening, livestock, or workshops
- Close enough to commute – Roughly 30–45 minutes to McKinney or other job hubs

Trade-offs:
- Limited shopping & dining – Most retail and restaurants are in nearby towns
- Fewer healthcare facilities – Major hospitals are outside the immediate area
- Rural infrastructure considerations – Some homes may rely on wells or septic systems

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 1,104; People per sq mile 875; 5-Year Growth +32.4%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 7.6%; Same Home 1+ Year 92.4%; From Out of State 1.0%; From Different County 3.0%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 23.8%; 25-34 16.0%; 35-44 15.3%; 65+ 10.9%; Median Age 35.5 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 3.0; Family Households 66.8%; Homeownership Rate 80.5%; With Kids 32.6%; Married 40.9%; Single Parent 5.3%; Living Alone 18.9%; Seniors Alone 7.5%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 87.2%; Bachelor's+ 11.8%; Graduate Degree 2.6%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 81.3%; Have Computer 97.6%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $218; Starter Home $295,999; Median Price $435,004; Premium Home $1,450,000
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change +1.1%; 5-Year Change +21%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 27; Median Days on Market 80; Under Contract 10%; Price Reduced 5.5%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Cheaper to Rent $610/mo; Buyer's market 9 mo; Rental Yield 5%; Income to Buy 5.6x; vs Region Avg -3%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Family Fit 46; Investment 61
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 2,309; Beds 3.9; Baths 3; Year Built 2006; Garage 2.1-car
- Real Estate / Property Mix: Single Family 55%; Townhome 0%; Condo 0%
- Real Estate / Common Features: Pool 3.7%; Garage 51.4%; Single Story 43.1%; Fireplace 20.2%; Central Air 33.9%; Waterfront 4.6%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $2,410; Median Rent $1,800; Avg HOA Fee $51/mo; Have HOA 6.4%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 2.4%; Foreclosure 0.9%; New Construction 37.6%; Per Bedroom $128,045
- Lifestyle / Lifestyle Scores: Area Feel Suburban Rural Mix; Family Friendly 6; Outdoor Activities 4; Nightlife 4.7; Health & Fitness 4.7; Diversity 8; Weather 6.7
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 8; Parks 3; Gyms 2; Coffee 1; Daycares 60+; Hospitals 1; Dentists 2; Dog Parks 60+
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 55° / 38°; April 73° / 54°; July 94° / 77°; October 77° / 58°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 216; Rainy Days/Year 149; Annual Rainfall 54"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Violent crime (per 1,000) 0.6; Property crime (per 1,000) 5.1
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Assault 0; Robbery 0; Murder 3.13; Rape 0
- Crime & Safety / Property Crime (per 100,000): Burglary 0; Theft 0; Vehicle Theft 0
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $77,333; Average Household $90,445; Per Capita $32,488
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 2.8%; Job Growth (1 yr) +8.1%; Poverty Rate 20.6%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 18.2%; $100k-$150k 19.0%; $75k-$100k 16.6%; $50k-$75k 18.7%; $25k-$50k 15.5%; Under $25k 12.0%
- Education / School District: Primary district Blue Ridge ISD; District Grade B+; State Ranking Top 48%
- Education / Schools: Elementary 1; Middle 1; High School 1
- Education / Elementary Schools: Blue Ridge Elementary C (73)
- Education / Middle Schools: Blue Ridge Middle C (75)
- Education / High Schools: Blue Ridge High School B (85)
- Education / Academic Info: Student-Teacher Ratio 13:1
- Education / Graduation Rates (Class of 2024): Graduation Rate 98.6%; Dropout Rate 0.0%
- Education / College Readiness (Class of 2023): Took SAT/ACT 68%; College Ready 14.5%; TSI Ready 27.3%
- Cost of Living / Cost Index (100 = National Average): Overall 101; Housing 113; Utilities 97; Groceries 100; Transportation 102; Healthcare 100
- Cost of Living / Monthly Utilities: Electric $142; Water $52; Gas $44; Internet $72
- Cost of Living / Everyday Costs: Monthly Groceries (Family of 4) $823; Gas Price (per gallon) $2.82
- Cost of Living / Taxes: Sales Tax Rate 8.3%; Property Tax Rate 2.2%

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