Melissa
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- Prosperity84
- Schools90
- Safety91
- Lifestyle89
- Market76
- Affordability90
- Commute53
- Growth83
Melissa
Snapshot
✓ Pros
- More affordable than Frisco or McKinney – New homes at a lower price point
- Highly rated Melissa ISD – Known for strong academics and new school facilities
- New infrastructure & homes – Modern layouts, energy-efficient builds, and fresh amenities
✗ Cons
- Longer commute to Dallas – 40–50+ minutes depending on traffic
- Limited shopping & dining – Most major retail is in McKinney or Anna
- Ongoing development can mean road work and expansion projects
Demographics
Population
Mobility & Migration
Age Distribution
Households
Education Level
Connectivity & Remote Work
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Real Estate
💡 Market Insights
Home Prices
Market Trends
Market Health
Market Insights
Typical Home
Property Mix
Common Features
Costs & Ownership
Investment Indicators
Lifestyle
Explore Melissa on Google Maps
Lifestyle Scores
Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles)
Getting Around
Averaged across Melissa, weighted by where people live. #70 of 84 cities. Most errands need a car here.
Local life in Melissa
Melissa's old town sits along State Highway 5 (McKinney Street), east of US 75. The city's Downtown Overlay District covers Harrison Street, Cooper Street and Fannin Road running east-west, and Red River, Central, Sherman and Santa Fe streets running north-south.
Day-to-day Melissa1,2,3,6,7,8,10,24,26,27,39,40,42,43,46,47
- 1Kroger Marketplace
- 2Walmart Supercenter
- 3Hope Coffee
- 4Chick-fil-A
- 5Zadow Park
- 6Ford Sports Village at the Z-Plex
- 7Country Ridge Park
- 8Melissa Lake Park
- 9City Hall Plaza Park
- 10Bob Miller Park
- 11Hunter's Ridge Park
- 12Harry McKillop Elementary
- 13North Creek Elementary
- 14Sumeer Elementary
- 15Willow Wood Elementary
- 16Highland Elementary
- 17Cardinal Renaissance Academy
- 18Melissa Ridge Education Center
- 19Sixth Grade Center
- 20East Cardinal Middle School
- 21Melissa High School
- 22Melissa ISD Administration
- 23City Hall & Public Library
- 24Public Safety Building (Police, Court, Fire Admin)
- 25Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care
Off the map (farther out): Texoma Medical Center ER at Anna, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - McKinney.
Melissa's year, month by month5,28,32,33,44,45
| Month | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Spring-summer 2026 | Melissa Lake Park Phase II ribbon cutting | 4101 Liberty Way |
| Summer (dates not posted) | Sunset Cinema, Fam Jam | City venues |
| July | Sparks and Spangles fireworks | Launched near City Hall, 3411 Barker Ave. |
| August | Back to School Snow Cones | Not posted |
| Aug-Nov | Melissa High School football | Coach Kenny Deel Stadium |
| September | Melissa Tribute Fest (Sat, Sept 12, 2026) | 4101 Liberty Way |
| December | Tree Lighting Ceremony + fireworks | City Hall, 3411 Barker Ave. |
| Date not posted | Big Dill 5K and Fun Run | Not posted |
The event names come from the city's events page. Only Tribute Fest has a confirmed 2026 date. The other months come from past editions (fireworks 2022, tree lighting 2024) or from the event name. Check the city calendar.
Drive times from central Melissa30
- Downtown McKinney7.3 mi12 min
- Downtown Plano21.6 mi26 min
- Legacy West (Plano)23.0 mi29 min
- The Star (Frisco)23.7 mi30 min
- Downtown Sherman26.4 mi30 min
- Richardson (CityLine)25.1 mi32 min
- Lake Texoma (Denison Dam)40.4 mi46 min
- Downtown Dallas39.4 mi47 min
- Dallas Love Field41.1 mi52 min
- DFW Airport43.8 mi55 min
Realust calculation with the OSRM open routing engine from 33.2859, -96.5728. Free-flow times. Weekday rush hour on US 75 and SH 121 adds time.
What's in town vs. nearby1,2,6,7,8,10,11,30,36,41,42,43
| Need | In Melissa | Nearest outside town |
|---|---|---|
| Full grocery | Kroger Marketplace (2721 Sam Rayburn Hwy), H-E-B (US 75 & SH 121), Walmart (1950 McKinney St.) | - |
| Pharmacy | Kroger; H-E-B drive-thru | - |
| Urgent care | Texas Health Breeze, 3210 Milrany Ln. (8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily) | - |
| Emergency room | None confirmed | Texoma Medical Center ER, 2710 Hackberry Dr., Anna (24/7) |
| Hospital | None | Baylor Scott & White - McKinney, 5252 W. University Dr. |
| Library | 3411 Barker Ave. (Mon-Sat) | - |
| Ambulance / fire | Melissa Fire Department (in-house ALS ambulance since 2025) | - |
| Sports fields | Z-Plex (8 turf diamonds, soccer, 12 tennis courts); Zadow Park | - |
| Lake access | Lake Perry Fisher (Country Ridge Park); Melissa Lake Park | Lake Lavon (~45 min); Lake Texoma (~46 min) |
| Hardware | Ace Hardware at Gateway Village (planned; status not confirmed) | - |
Store openings are confirmed from 2024-2025 news.
Read the full local life guide
Downtown is still being rebuilt
Melissa's old town sits along State Highway 5 (McKinney Street), east of US 75. The city's Downtown Overlay District covers Harrison Street, Cooper Street and Fannin Road running east-west, and Red River, Central, Sherman and Santa Fe streets running north-south. The plan, adopted in 2018, calls for two-way streets, on-street parking, sidewalks and landscaping.
The work is partly done. Drainage and utility lines have been replaced, and sections of Harrison, Red River and Cooper streets are being rebuilt. The first private project, Melissa Gateway Village at SH 5 and Fannin Road, is planned at about 50,000 to 55,000 sq ft with an Ace Hardware, Hope Coffee, shops, restaurants and a two-story office building. Hope Coffee lists 2801 McKinney St. The city has also bought parcels near Cooper and Red River for a possible mixed-use project.
City Hall, the public library and City Hall Plaza Park share one campus at 3411 Barker Ave. Most day-to-day retail is not downtown. It clusters along US 75 and SH 121 (Sam Rayburn Highway), where the three supermarkets, a Chick-fil-A that was due to finish in August 2026, and new office buildings on Oliver Drive and Lindenwood Avenue are.
Events cluster at City Hall and the new lake park
The city's events list includes the Big Dill 5K and Fun Run, Sunset Cinema movies in the park, Fam Jam, Back to School Snow Cones, the Sparks and Spangles fireworks show for the Fourth of July, the Melissa Tribute Fest and a December tree lighting at City Hall. The fireworks launch near City Hall. The city has suggested watching from City Hall Plaza, the Cardinal Drive school campus or Zadow Park.
Tribute Fest is the largest. In 2025 it filled Melissa Road east of SH 5 with three tribute bands, food trucks and vendors, and it was free. The 2026 edition is listed for Sept. 12, 3 to 9:30 p.m., at 4101 Liberty Way, the Melissa Lake Park site. In fall, Melissa High School football plays at Coach Kenny Deel Stadium, which opened in August 2023.
Parks, trails and lakes
Melissa lists nine parks. Zadow Park (3001 McKinney St.) has three baseball fields, sand volleyball, a basketball and inline skate court, a pavilion and a playground. The Ford Sports Village at the Z-Plex (4220 E. Melissa Rd.) has eight turf baseball and softball fields, soccer fields and 12 tennis courts, four of them covered. Country Ridge Park, off Throckmorton Road, grew by 20 acres in 2022. It has granite and concrete trails around Lake Perry Fisher, a lake of just over 10 acres, but no restrooms yet.
Melissa Lake Park (4101 Liberty Way) is built around an 11-acre stocked lake with trails, a pavilion, restrooms and parking. The city listed completion for spring 2026 and has a Phase II ribbon cutting on its events list. Smaller parks are Bob Miller, Hunter's Ridge, Rotary and City Hall Plaza, which has a seasonal spray fountain and native gardens. A fitness station sits on the Fannin Road trail between Cardinal Drive and Melissa Road.
Lake Lavon's dam is about 45 minutes south-east by car, and Lake Texoma's Denison Dam is about 46 minutes north.
Errands are now mostly in town
Until late 2024 Melissa had no supermarket. Kroger Marketplace opened at 2721 Sam Rayburn Hwy in October 2024, with a pharmacy and fuel center. H-E-B opened a store of about 131,000 sq ft at US 75 and SH 121 in May 2025, with a drive-thru pharmacy and a True Texas BBQ. Walmart opened a store of more than 170,000 sq ft at 1950 McKinney St. in November 2025. All three have pharmacies, or are reported to, and Kroger and H-E-B confirm theirs.
Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care (3210 Milrany Ln., Suite 100) is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. We did not confirm a freestanding ER inside city limits. The closest 24-hour ER we confirmed is Texoma Medical Center's ER at 2710 Hackberry Dr. in Anna. Full hospitals are in McKinney, including Baylor Scott & White–McKinney at 5252 W. University Dr. The library at 3411 Barker Ave. is open Monday to Saturday.
Schools
Melissa ISD had 8,583 students in 2026 and a 2026 TEA rating of A. It runs six PK-5 elementaries: Harry McKillop, North Creek, Sumeer, Willow Wood, Highland (opened 2025) and Cardinal Renaissance Academy, which opened in August 2026 at 2950 Cardinal Dr. with a project-based, IB-aligned program. There is a Sixth Grade Center, East Cardinal Middle School (opened 2025) and Melissa High School at 3030 Milrany Ln. A 64,000 sq ft basketball arena at the high school was due in spring 2026. Elementary zoning depends on the subdivision, and some Melissa ISD addresses carry a McKinney mailing address.
Getting around and public safety
US 75 and SH 121 meet at Melissa's south-west edge, and SH 5 runs through the old town. Off-peak, downtown McKinney is about 12 minutes away, downtown Plano 26, Legacy West 29, Frisco's Star district 30, downtown Dallas 47, Love Field 52 and DFW Airport 55. These are Realust estimates from an open routing engine. Rush hour on US 75 takes longer.
Melissa's police department had 30.5 sworn officers after three positions were added under the voter-approved Crime Control District. Police, the municipal court and fire administration share the Public Safety Building at 2402 McKinney St., which was completed in 2023. The fire department has an ISO Class 2 rating. It began running its own ambulance in June 2025, and Fire Station #2 at Melissa Lake Park was expected to open in November 2026.
Not confirmed yet
- Whether there is a freestanding ER inside Melissa city limits. Our search budget ran out before we could confirm or rule this out.
- H-E-B's street address.
- Whether Melissa Gateway Village, Ace Hardware and Hope Coffee are open as of late 2026.
- Park acreage for every park except the Country Ridge expansion and the Melissa Lake Park lake.
- Total trail mileage.
- Whether Melissa Lake Park and its Phase II are fully open.
- Whether Fire Station #2 opened in November 2026 as planned.
- 2026 dates for the Big Dill 5K, Sunset Cinema, Fam Jam, Back to School Snow Cones, Sparks and Spangles and the tree lighting.
- East Cardinal Middle School grade span (7-8 vs 6-8).
- Road distances from central Melissa to the Anna ER and the McKinney hospitals.
- Private schools nearby.
- Post office address.
Questions people ask
Does Melissa, TX have a grocery store?
Yes, three. Kroger Marketplace opened at 2721 Sam Rayburn Hwy in October 2024, H-E-B opened at US 75 and SH 121 in May 2025, and Walmart opened at 1950 McKinney St. in November 2025.
Where is the nearest hospital to Melissa?
Full hospitals are in McKinney, including Baylor Scott & White - McKinney at 5252 W. University Dr. Texoma Medical Center runs a 24-hour ER in Anna at 2710 Hackberry Dr. Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care in Melissa is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
How long is the drive from Melissa to Dallas?
About 47 minutes to downtown Dallas off-peak, roughly 39 miles. DFW Airport is about 55 minutes away and Love Field about 52. Downtown McKinney is about 12 minutes. These are Realust estimates without traffic.
What schools serve Melissa?
Melissa ISD runs six PK-5 elementaries (including Cardinal Renaissance Academy, new in 2026), a Sixth Grade Center, East Cardinal Middle School and Melissa High School. The district had 8,583 students in 2026 and a 2026 TEA rating of A.
What is Melissa ISD's TEA rating?
A for 2026, with an A in Student Achievement and a B in both School Progress and Closing the Gaps. Campus ratings range from A (high school, East Cardinal, McKillop, Willow Wood) to B (Highland, North Creek, Sumeer, Sixth Grade Center).
What parks are in Melissa?
The city lists nine. They include Zadow Park, the Z-Plex sports complex, Country Ridge Park with Lake Perry Fisher, the new Melissa Lake Park with an 11-acre stocked lake, and City Hall Plaza Park.
Does Melissa have its own fire department and ambulance?
Yes. Melissa Fire Department has an ISO Class 2 rating and started its own ambulance service in June 2025. A second fire station at Melissa Lake Park was expected to open in November 2026.
When is Melissa Tribute Fest?
The 2026 edition is listed for Saturday, Sept. 12, from 3 to 9:30 p.m. at 4101 Liberty Way. The 2025 festival was free.
Sources (51) · checked Oct 28, 2026
- City of Melissa, Parks & Trails
- Independence Title, Melissa Texas relocation guide (PDF)
- Independence Title, Discover Melissa (PDF)
- Wikipedia, Melissa Independent School District
- City of Melissa, Events
- City of Melissa, Update on Melissa Downtown District
- Dallas Observer, New H-E-B opens in Melissa (2025)
- CultureMap Dallas, Walmart opens in Melissa (Nov 5, 2025)
- Melissa ISD, 2025-26 elementary zoning
- Community Impact, New Kroger Marketplace debuts in Melissa (Oct 25, 2024)
- The Shelby Report, Kroger opens Marketplace store in Melissa (Oct 21, 2024)
- Texas Tribune Public Schools Explorer, Melissa ISD (2026 enrollment)
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Melissa ISD ratings (2026)
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Melissa High School rating
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, East Cardinal Middle rating
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Highland Elementary rating
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Harry McKillop Elementary rating
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, North Creek Elementary rating
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Sumeer Elementary rating
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Willow Wood Elementary rating
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Sixth Grade Center rating
- WRA Architects, Melissa ISD East Cardinal Middle School
- WRA Architects, Melissa ISD Highland Elementary
- SchoolDigger, East Cardinal Middle
- Melissa ISD, Melissa Move (2026-27 campus changes)
- Melissa ISD, Cardinal Renaissance Academy opens (Aug 13, 2026)
- HAR.com, Melissa schools
- Wikipedia, Melissa High School
- TDLR TABS2025004714, Melissa High School Phase 4 basketball arena
- OSRM open routing engine (Realust drive-time calculation, Oct 2026)
- GRA newsletter, Melissa approves downtown development (May 12, 2022)
- FairsAndFestivals.net, 2026 Melissa Tribute Fest
- City of Melissa, Event Information (2025 Tribute Fest)
- City of Melissa, Fire Department
- City of Melissa, ISO Ratings
- City of Melissa, Ambulance/EMS
- City of Melissa, Because You Voted: Fire Control 2025 Annual Report
- City of Melissa, Because You Voted: Crime Control Report 2024-2025
- DCD, Melissa Public Safety Building
- TDLR TABS2022023227, Melissa Public Safety Building
- City of Melissa, Public Library
- Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care, Melissa
- Texoma Medical Center, ER at Anna
- City of Melissa calendar, Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec 7, 2024)
- City of Melissa news release, Sparks and Spangles (2022)
- WhatNow DFW, Hope Coffee Melissa location (Nov 27, 2023)
- TDLR TABS2025022657, Chick-fil-A Melissa
- TDLR TABS2026010478, Melissa Shopping Plaza Building 1
- TDLR TABS2026020619 / TABS2026019331, The Offices at Melissa Central
- TDLR TABS2026012395, Trinity Melissa Office Park MT 2
- Texas Tribune Lege Lookup, Melissa ISD 2024-25 rating
Seasonal Temperatures
Annual Conditions
Crime & Safety
Safety Overview
Violent Crime
Property Crime
Job Market
Income
Employment
Income Distribution
Education
School District
Schools
🏆 Top-Rated Schools (6 A-rated schools in Melissa)
Academic Info
📈 Graduation Rates (Class of 2024)
🎯 College Readiness (Class of 2023)
Transportation
Mobility Scores
Commute
Distance To
⚡ EV Charging
Drive to major employers from Melissa
Rush-hour drive times from the center of Melissa, weekday at 8:00 AM.
| Workplace | 8 AM rush | No traffic | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| RaytheonMcKinney | 24 min | 15 min | 8.3 mi |
| Capital OnePlano | 45 min | 27 min | 22.7 mi |
| JPMorgan Chase Legacy WestPlano | 46 min | 28 min | 24.7 mi |
| Keurig Dr PepperFrisco | 46 min | 30 min | 25.3 mi |
| Telecom CorridorRichardson | 46 min | 28 min | 24.8 mi |
| The StarFrisco | 46 min | 29 min | 25 mi |
| Legacy WestPlano | 47 min | 29 min | 23.9 mi |
| Frito-Lay / PepsiCoPlano | 47 min | 29 min | 24.7 mi |
Show all 36 workplaces
| Workplace | 8 AM rush | No traffic | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm CityLineRichardson | 47 min | 29 min | 24.2 mi |
| Toyota North America HQPlano | 48 min | 29 min | 25 mi |
| Tyler TechnologiesPlano | 48 min | 31 min | 24.3 mi |
| Medical City PlanoPlano | 50 min | 33 min | 25.4 mi |
| UT DallasRichardson | 52 min | 33 min | 26.7 mi |
| Texas InstrumentsDallas | 65 min | 38 min | 31.7 mi |
| McKessonLas Colinas | 66 min | 43 min | 42.7 mi |
| Galleria / LBJDallas | 67 min | 38 min | 33 mi |
| DFW AirportDFW | 69 min | 46 min | 43.7 mi |
| Texas Woman's UniversityDenton | 69 min | 57 min | 36.5 mi |
| Kimberly-ClarkIrving | 71 min | 48 min | 45.6 mi |
| Las Colinas Urban CenterIrving | 72 min | 48 min | 45.9 mi |
| American AirlinesFort Worth | 76 min | 52 min | 52.4 mi |
| SMUUniversity Park | 76 min | 43 min | 36.2 mi |
| University of North TexasDenton | 76 min | 55 min | 53 mi |
| Fidelity InvestmentsWestlake | 77 min | 53 min | 52.7 mi |
| Charles SchwabWestlake | 78 min | 53 min | 53.7 mi |
| Uptown DallasDallas | 79 min | 44 min | 39.7 mi |
| Downtown DallasDallas | 80 min | 46 min | 40.1 mi |
| Baylor University Medical CenterDallas | 81 min | 46 min | 40.2 mi |
| Dallas Love FieldDallas | 81 min | 48 min | 43.2 mi |
| AT&TDowntown Dallas | 82 min | 47 min | 40.1 mi |
| Arlington Entertainment DistrictArlington | 83 min | 61 min | 58 mi |
| Southwest AirlinesLove Field | 84 min | 52 min | 44.3 mi |
| AllianceTexasFort Worth | 87 min | 63 min | 61.5 mi |
| UT Southwestern / Medical DistrictDallas | 88 min | 49 min | 44.2 mi |
| Downtown Fort WorthFort Worth | 90 min | 66 min | 65.5 mi |
| Lockheed MartinFort Worth | 100 min | 75 min | 75.5 mi |
Source: Google Routes forecast, updated October 2026. Find where to live near your work →
Cost of Living
Cost Index (100 = National Average)
Monthly Utilities
Everyday Costs
Taxes
Hidden costs in Melissa
A home inside Melissa city limits pays four taxing units: Melissa ISD at 1.2245, the city at 0.4541, Collin County at 0.1493 and Collin College at 0.0812, all per $100 of value for 2025. Together that is about 1.91% before exemptions.
Where a typical Melissa homestead tax bill goes (2025)1,2,4,5,6
- Melissa ISD$4,322/yr
- City of Melissa$2,127/yr
- Collin County$699/yr
- Collin College$320/yr
Homestead at $493,000, inside city limits, no MUD or PID, owner under 65, 2025 rates.
Base 2025 tax rate: Melissa vs. nearby cities1
- Celina2.02%
- Anna2.00%
- Van Alstyne (Collin Co.)1.96%
- Prosper1.95%
- Melissa1.91%
- Princeton1.88%
- McKinney1.75%
Each city paired with its main ISD. Excludes MUDs and PIDs.
Monthly cost beyond the mortgage (sourced parts only)1,2,10,12,15
- Property tax (homestead, no MUD)$622/mo
- Water + sewer (7,000 gal)$180/mo
- Electric (Oncor area, 1,000 kWh)$154/mo
- HOA (Liberty)$70/mo
- Trash & recycling$22/mo
Partial: excludes homeowners insurance, internet and gas, which were not sourced. Electric uses the median 12-month plan at 1,000 kWh.
Utility providers by area10,11,12,13,14
| Service | Inside city limits | Edges & ETJ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Oncor wires; choose a retail provider | Grayson-Collin Electric Co-op in some rural areas (no retail choice) | Median 12-mo plan ~15.4¢/kWh; GCEC $25 + ~14.7¢/kWh |
| Water & sewer | City of Melissa | City or North Collin SUD, by address | Water $29.62 base + $7.14/1,000 gal; sewer $28.59 + $10.23/1,000 gal |
| Trash & recycling | Community Waste Disposal via city bill | Outside limits, arrange your own (not confirmed) | $21.50/month, weekly |
| Natural gas | Atmos Energy | Atmos where lines exist; some homes all-electric | Regulated, no choice |
| Internet | AT&T Fiber, Optimum fiber/cable | Fixed wireless, satellite; GCC or SureFire fiber in parts | Check by address |
Read the full hidden costs guide
Four taxing units, one bill
A home inside Melissa city limits pays four taxing units: Melissa ISD at 1.2245, the city at 0.4541, Collin County at 0.1493 and Collin College at 0.0812, all per $100 of value for 2025. Together that is about 1.91% before exemptions. There is no hospital district or emergency services district on the bill.
That base rate sits in the middle of the area. Celina, Anna and Prosper are higher. Princeton and McKinney are lower. The school district is the largest piece, at almost two-thirds of the total.
Melissa ISD has already set its 2026 rate at 1.2008, about 2.4 cents lower than 2025. The city held its rate flat for FY2026.
What a typical homestead pays
The city's FY2026 budget uses an average single-family value of $493,000. With the $140,000 school homestead exemption and the 5% city and county exemptions, that home owes about $7,470 a year, or $622 a month. That is an effective rate of about 1.51%.
The same house as a rental, with no exemptions, owes about $9,410. Owners 65 and older get larger exemptions and a school tax ceiling, and the county and college also freeze their taxes, so their bills run much lower.
These figures ignore the 10% yearly cap on homestead value increases. Long-time owners often have lower taxable values than market value.
MUDs and PIDs: check the address
Collin County's district list names no MUD or PID for Melissa, and listings in the Liberty subdivision say there is none. That sets Melissa apart from some neighbors where new subdivisions carry a MUD at $0.80 to $1.20 per $100.
On a $493,000 home, a $1.00 MUD would add about $4,930 a year. If you are looking at a new subdivision or an address in the ETJ, ask for the MUD/PID notice and check the address with the appraisal district.
Water and sewer cost more than the electric bill
The city charges a $29.62 water base fee plus $7.14 per 1,000 gallons for the first 10,000 gallons. Rates climb to $11.45 and then $13.88 per 1,000 gallons above that, so summer irrigation gets expensive.
Sewer is a $28.59 base plus $10.23 per 1,000 gallons, based on your winter-average water use. At 7,000 gallons a month the combined water and sewer bill is about $180. New rates start with November bills, and the city's budget notes double-digit wholesale increases for sewer.
A new account needs a $150 deposit on a standard meter. Some addresses on the city's edges get water from North Collin Special Utility District instead.
Electric, gas, trash and internet
Melissa is in Oncor's delivery area, so most homes choose a retail electric plan. The median 12-month fixed plan works out to about 15.4 cents per kWh, or about $154 for 1,000 kWh. Some rural addresses nearby are on Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative, which sets its own price.
Atmos Energy supplies natural gas. Community Waste Disposal picks up trash and recycling weekly for $21.50 a month on the city bill.
AT&T Fiber is available at almost every address, and Optimum offers fiber or cable. Fixed wireless and satellite cover the rest.
Rent, HOA and commute
The Census Bureau's median gross rent in Melissa is $2,532 a month, and the median owner with a mortgage pays $2,767 in monthly housing costs.
HOA dues vary by subdivision. Liberty charges $420 twice a year, about $70 a month.
The average commute is about 34 minutes. US 75 south has no tolls. Heading west on SH 121 turns into the Sam Rayburn Tollway past US 75, and that road charges tolls.
Not confirmed yet
- What will the city's tax rate be for 2026?
- What do homeowners insurance premiums typically run for a $493,000 home in Melissa?
- What share of city parcels sits in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area?
- What are HOA dues in other main subdivisions (e.g., North Creek, Meadow Ridge, Throckmorton Creek, Villages of Melissa)?
- What are typical drive times and toll costs to McKinney, Plano, Frisco and downtown Dallas?
- What water and sewer impact fees apply to a new single-family home?
- What do AT&T Fiber and Optimum charge in Melissa?
Questions people ask
What is the property tax rate in Melissa, TX?
About 1.91% for 2025 before exemptions: Melissa ISD 1.2245, City of Melissa 0.4541, Collin County 0.1493 and Collin College 0.0812, per $100 of value.
How much are property taxes on a $493,000 home in Melissa?
About $7,470 a year ($622 a month) with a standard homestead exemption and no MUD, based on 2025 rates. As a non-homestead rental, about $9,410.
Does Melissa have MUD taxes?
No MUD or PID named for Melissa appears on Collin County's district list, and Liberty listings state none. Check any new subdivision or ETJ address by address.
How much is the water bill in Melissa, TX?
At 7,000 gallons a month, about $80 for water and $100 for sewer, or about $180 combined, before trash.
Who provides electricity in Melissa?
Most of the city is on Oncor lines, so you pick a retail provider. Some rural addresses nearby are on Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative.
Who picks up trash in Melissa?
Community Waste Disposal, under city contract, for $21.50 a month. Seniors pay $20.41.
What is the homestead exemption in Melissa ISD?
$140,000 for all homesteads, plus $60,000 more for owners 65 and older or disabled, with a school tax ceiling.
What is the average rent in Melissa, TX?
The ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent is $2,532 a month.
Sources (15) · checked Oct 28, 2026
- Republic Title, 2025 DFW Tax Rates and Exemptions
- City of Melissa, Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Annual Budget
- Melissa ISD, Tax rate ordinance for tax year 2026 (board packet, Aug 17, 2026)
- Collin County Tax Assessor, Tax Rate Summary (rates, exemptions, special districts)
- Collin County, FY2026 Tax Rate Public Hearing Presentation
- Community Impact, Collin College board maintains tax rate for FY 2025-26
- Independence Title, Collin County Tax Rates 2025
- U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Melissa city, Texas (ACS 2020-2024)
- Census Reporter, Melissa, TX profile (ACS 2024 5-year)
- City of Melissa, Utility Rates & Fees
- UtilitiesForMyHome, Melissa TX utility providers
- ElectricRates.org, Melissa TX electricity
- Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative, Rates
- BroadbandMap.com, Melissa TX internet providers (FCC BDC Dec 2025)
- Coldwell Banker listing (Liberty #1)
What’s coming
Public projects that will change daily life in Melissa: new jobs, roads, schools and places to go. Every project links to its source.
McKinney National Airport flights
A new 46,000 sq ft passenger terminal on FM 546 opens with Avelo Airlines nonstops to Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers starting mid-November 2026.
Why it matters: Commercial flights without the drive to DFW or Love Field.
Also in McKinney · Princeton · Lowry Crossing · New Hope · Anna · Fairview · Allen
SH 5 widening, Melissa–Anna
TxDOT is rebuilding SH 5 from SH 121 in Melissa to just north of the Collin County Outer Loop in Anna, turning a two-lane rural highway into a four-lane urban road. The $42.8 million job started in July 2023 and was 82% complete in September 2026. TxDOT now estimates completion in March 2027, later than the fall 2026 date it gave earlier this year.
Why it matters: SH 5 goes from two rural lanes to a four-lane road through Melissa to the Outer Loop.
Also in Anna
Texas Health hospital, north McKinney
Texas Health Resources plans a hospital campus at Laud Howell Parkway and US 75, opening with 60 beds, an ER, surgery and women's services, with room to double capacity.
Why it matters: Closer ER and hospital care for fast-growing north McKinney, Anna, Melissa.
Also in McKinney · Anna · Van Alstyne
Long Branch mixed-use district
Approved 155-acre project near US 75 and Trinity Falls Parkway with up to 1,600 apartments, a 318,000 sq ft office campus, a hotel and retail anchored by a 65,000 sq ft grocery.
Why it matters: Grocery, offices and dining planned for north McKinney.
Melissa ISD $875M bond projects
Voters approved an $875M bond in May 2025 funding 3–5 elementary schools, a middle school, a 9th grade center, an early childhood center, renovations and technology.
Why it matters: New campuses to keep up with Melissa's rapid growth.
Citywide
Outer Loop Segment 5 study
Collin County is refining the alignment of a 21-mile Outer Loop segment from SH 121 near Anna to US 380 near Farmersville. No construction is funded or scheduled yet.
Why it matters: Long-term route that could reshape land east of Anna and Melissa.
Also in Farmersville · Anna · Princeton · Blue Ridge
Citywide
Melissa water pump station
The City of Melissa registered a new $26.2M pump station on County Road 71 with the state, with construction scheduled from Oct. 2026 to Sept. 2027.
Why it matters: Adds water pumping capacity as Melissa's neighborhoods fill in.
Citywide
Collin County $817.5M bond
Four props: $475M for non-tolled roads and bridges, $296.5M for courts, jail and probation facilities, $40M for an elections/records building and $6M for parks.
Why it matters: Road and bridge money for growing Collin suburbs; repaid via property tax.
Also in Plano · Frisco · Allen · McKinney · Prosper · Celina · Fairview · Lucas · Parker · Wylie · Sachse · Richardson · Anna · Princeton · Farmersville · Lavon · Lowry Crossing · New Hope · Blue Ridge · St. Paul · Nevada · Westminster
Citywide
Collin College $600M bond
Funds campus expansions in McKinney, Wylie, Plano, Allen, Celina and Frisco, a McKinney Aviation Academy and new Anna and Royse City campuses. The college expects no tax-rate increase.
Why it matters: More nearby college and job-training seats; no college tax-rate hike expected.
Also in Plano · Frisco · Allen · McKinney · Prosper · Celina · Fairview · Lucas · Parker · Wylie · Sachse · Anna · Farmersville · Royse City · Richardson · Princeton · Lavon · Lowry Crossing · New Hope · Nevada · St. Paul · Blue Ridge · Westminster · Van Alstyne
Citywide
Riverstone Estates
Wilbow Corp. bought 268 acres in Melissa for about 652 single-family homes, about half a mile west of US 75; Perry Homes, Drees and Homebound are the named builders.
Why it matters: More new homes in fast-growing Melissa ISD, near the US 75 and Outer Loop corridor.
Citywide
Recently opened
See every project on the North Texas map →We track publicly announced projects from official and local news sources. Plans and dates change; dates are targets, not promises. Map locations are approximate. Projects don't affect the Realust Score. Know of a project we're missing? Tell us.
Growth story in Melissa
Melissa was laid out in 1872, when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad built a depot here. Settlers came from Highland, a community a few miles north with a post office from 1853.
Melissa population, 1990-20251,2,3
1990-2020: decennial Census counts.NCTCOG's Jan 1, 2026 estimate is 28,967. No published projection was found.
New housing units permitted by the City of Melissa6,7
Census Building Permits Survey. 2018 and 2022 include apartment buildings (213 and 110 units); 2022 and 2024 include duplexes. 2026 is January-September only. ETJ homes permitted by the county are not counted.
Melissa ISD enrollment (fall membership)30
Census Bureau school finance survey, fall membership. 2021-22 not published in the files used.
New-home communities in and around Melissa4,5,9,10
| Community | Developer | Builders | Planned size | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverstone Estates | Wilbow Corp. | Perry, Drees, Homebound | 268 acres, ~652 homes | Planned; first lots Q1 2027 | ~0.5 mi west of US 75, ~1 mi south of Outer Loop |
| Liberty | Hillwood | Bloomfield (2026) | n/p | Late phase | Along SH 121 |
| North Creek | L109 | n/p | n/p | Near build-out (2022) | Along SH 121 |
| Meadow Park | n/p | Starlight, Ashton Woods | n/p | Selling | n/p |
| Creek View | n/p | Drees (50 ft and townhomes) | n/p | Selling | n/p |
| Brookfield | n/p | First Texas | n/p | Selling | n/p |
| Bryant Farms | n/p | Impression | n/p | Selling | n/p |
| Milrany Ranch | n/p | UnionMain | n/p | Selling | n/p |
| Meadow Run | n/p | Pacesetter | n/p | Selling | n/p |
| The Dawn | n/p | Netze | n/p | Selling | n/p |
Show all 12 rows
| Avilla Stoneridge / Avilla Springs | NexMetro | NexMetro (build-to-rent) | n/p | Rental | n/p |
| Farmhouse 121 | HighPark Capital | Apartments | n/p | Rental | Along SH 121 |
n/p = not published. Lot totals and lots built are not published for most communities. Builder names for 2026 listings come from NewHomeSource.
Private-sector jobs near Melissa, by ZIP code area (2023)26,27
- Plano9 ZIPs249,435 jobs
- Frisco4 ZIPs incl. Denton County95,573 jobs
- McKinney4 ZIPs72,037 jobs
- Allen2 ZIPs33,855 jobs
- Sherman3 ZIPs; TI fab and GlobalWafers ramp after 202322,757 jobs
- Anna754093,004 jobs
- Melissa754542,927 jobs
- Van Alstyne754952,497 jobs
- Princeton754072,283 jobs
Census County Business Patterns, March 2023 paid employees. Excludes government jobs and self-employed. ZIP areas are not city limits. TI cites about 3,000 jobs at full build in Sherman.
Read the full growth story guide
A rail stop that stayed small
Melissa was laid out in 1872, when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad built a depot here. Settlers came from Highland, a community a few miles north with a post office from 1853. In the early 1900s it shipped crops, wood and livestock.
An F4 tornado in April 1921 killed 13 people and wrecked most of the town, and a 1929 fire took many of the rebuilt buildings. Melissa had 557 residents in 1990.
Population: doubling every few years
Growth started in the early 2000s with two master-planned communities along SH 121, Hillwood's Liberty and L109's North Creek. The Census counted 1,350 people in 2000, 4,695 in 2010 and 13,901 in 2020.
The Census Bureau estimates 29,969 residents in July 2025, more than double the 2020 count, or about 3,100 new residents a year. NCTCOG's January 2026 estimate is 28,967, up 2,733 in one year.
No city, county or NCTCOG population forecast for Melissa was found. In 2022 the city manager said the city was about 20% built out, with a planning area of about 22 square miles, including about 8 in the ETJ.
Housing: a fast build, then a slower year
Census permit data show a first wave in the mid-2000s, peaking at 304 units in 2006, then a drop to 76 in 2009. Permits climbed again after 2015. The city issued 5,765 housing units from 2020 to 2025, including a record 1,474 in 2022 and 1,295 in 2024.
Permits then fell to 553 in 2025 and 250 from January to September 2026. Sources gathered here do not explain the drop. Construction value per new house rose from about $250,000 in 2019 to about $306,000 in 2026.
Most new homes are single-family and owner-occupied: 89% of occupied homes were owned in the 2020-2024 survey. Current builder communities include Meadow Park, Creek View, Brookfield, Bryant Farms, Milrany Ranch and Meadow Run. Wilbow's Riverstone Estates, about 652 homes on 268 acres west of US 75, plans to deliver its first lots in early 2027. Rentals include NexMetro's Avilla build-to-rent homes and the Farmhouse 121 apartments.
A 75454 mailing address does not mean a home is in city limits. Check city limits, ETJ status and any PID or MUD before buying, because taxes and services vary by address.
What is driving it
Melissa sits where US 75 and SH 121 meet, northeast of McKinney and about 35 to 39 miles from downtown Dallas. Collin County's Outer Loop runs from US 75 in Anna to SH 121 near Melissa, and since late 2025 it links west to Celina.
Retail has followed rooftops. Buc-ee's opened on US 75 in 2019, and H-E-B owns 43 acres next to it. Melissa Village on SH 121 has a Starbucks, a CVS and a planned medical office phase. In 2022 the council approved a 57,000-square-foot downtown project on SH 5 with restaurants and an Ace Hardware.
Most jobs are elsewhere. Census business data count about 2,900 private-sector jobs in the 75454 ZIP, against about 72,000 in McKinney ZIPs and about 249,000 in Plano ZIPs. North on US 75 in Sherman, Texas Instruments began production at its first new chip fab in December 2025.
Schools racing to keep up
Melissa ISD had 8,583 students in 2026 state data, up 267% since 2016. In 2021 the district had about 4,200 students and a 10-year projection of 8,500. It reached that figure about five years early.
Voters passed a $150 million bond in 2016 that built the current Melissa High School, which opened in 2018. A $400 million bond went to voters in May 2021. In May 2025 voters approved $875 million: $800 million for 3 to 5 elementary schools, a middle school, a 9th grade center, an early childcare center and land, and $75 million for technology. Both parts passed with about 68% to 69%. The district said its debt tax rate would stay at 50 cents per $100 of value.
Values and incomes
Census survey data show the median owner-estimated home value rising from $172,900 (2006-2010) to $200,600 (2011-2015) and $454,000 (2020-2024). Median household income rose from $80,815 to $138,763 over the same span.
These are five-year averages with wide margins of error in the early periods. Much of the rise reflects new, larger homes being added, not only older homes gaining value.
Not confirmed yet
- Does the city or NCTCOG publish a population forecast or build-out figure for Melissa?
- Has the city updated its 2015 Comprehensive Plan, and what does the future land use map show?
- When will the H-E-B open?
- Which new campuses from the 2025 bond open first, and where?
- How many lots in each community are built, under construction and still to come?
- What water and wastewater expansions are planned (supply via North Texas Municipal Water District not checked)?
- Are there any PIDs or MUDs in the newer communities, and what do they add to tax bills?
Questions people ask
What is the population of Melissa, Texas?
The Census Bureau estimated 29,969 residents on July 1, 2025. NCTCOG estimated 28,967 on Jan. 1, 2026. The 2020 Census counted 13,901.
How fast is Melissa growing?
It more than doubled from 2020 to 2025, about 3,100 new residents a year by Census estimates. NCTCOG shows 10.4% growth in 2025 alone.
How many new homes are being built in Melissa?
The city permitted 5,765 housing units from 2020 to 2025, per the Census Building Permits Survey. Permits slowed to 553 in 2025 and 250 from January to September 2026.
What are the newest neighborhoods in Melissa?
2026 listings include Meadow Park, Creek View, Brookfield, Bryant Farms, Milrany Ranch, Meadow Run and The Dawn. Riverstone Estates, about 652 homes, plans its first lots in early 2027.
Did the Melissa ISD bond pass?
Yes. On May 3, 2025, voters approved Proposition A ($800 million, 68%) and Proposition B ($75 million, 69%).
How many students are in Melissa ISD?
8,583 in 2026 state data, up 267% since 2016.
Is there an H-E-B in Melissa?
H-E-B owns 43 acres next to Buc-ee's near US 75 and SH 121. An opening date was not confirmed in sources gathered.
Sources (30) · checked Oct 28, 2026
- Wikipedia, Melissa, Texas (historical census table and history)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates, Texas (sub-est2025_48.csv)
- NCTCOG, 2026 Population Estimates Publication (Jan 1, 2026 estimates)
- Dallas Morning News, Melissa leaders saw their town's boom coming, just not when they thought (Oct 6, 2022)
- Bisnow, Small town, big growth for Melissa (Mar 30, 2022)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, annual place files, South Region (soYYYYa.txt, 2005-2025), Melissa place 47496
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, South Region place file, year-to-date through Sept 2026 (so2609y.txt)
- City of Melissa, 2015 Comprehensive Plan Update, Chapter 1: Existing Conditions Analysis
- Hoodline, Dallas developer snags massive Melissa tract for 652 new homes (Apr 2026)
- NewHomeSource, new home communities in Melissa, TX (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- Melissa ISD, Growth & Developments (bond history and campus openings)
- Melissa ISD, May 1, 2021 bond election announcement (Mar 17, 2021)
- Melissa ISD, $400 million bond election update (Apr 19, 2021)
- Piper Sandler, Melissa ISD Series 2021 school building bonds, $60.0 million (June 2021)
- Melissa ISD, Board calls $875 million bond election (Feb 11, 2025)
- NBC DFW, Melissa ISD $875 million school bond package, May 2025 (Apr 28, 2025)
- NBC DFW, Melissa ISD Proposition A results (May 3, 2025)
- NBC DFW, Melissa ISD Proposition B results (May 3, 2025)
- Dallas Express, Melissa ISD's $1.6B bond vote shows why every ballot counts (2025)
- Texas Tribune Public Schools Explorer, Melissa ISD (state enrollment data, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year table-based summary files 2021-2024 (B25077, B19013, B25001, B25003), GEO_ID 1600000US4847496
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2016-2020 5-year summary file, Texas sequence files
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2015-2019 5-year summary file, Texas sequence files
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2011-2015 5-year summary file, Texas sequence files
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-year summary file, Texas sequence files
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ZIP Code Business Patterns totals (zbp23totals)
- Texas Instruments, Sherman manufacturing site
- GlobalWafers (Wikipedia)
- Collin County Outer Loop (Wikipedia, citing Collin County and Community Impact)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances, elementary-secondary files FY2015-FY2024 (fall membership; NCES ID 4830120 Melissa ISD)