# Living in Ponder, TX: Realust Score 79

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

URL: https://realust.com/city/ponder/
County: Denton
Realust Score: 79/100 (B+, Very Good), tied for #37 of 84. Base 79 + price-tier bonus 0.
Category scores: Prosperity 73, Schools 77, Safety 90, Lifestyle 81, Market 83, Affordability 91, Commute 57, Growth 73
Median home price: $310K
Population: 2,626
Market momentum: Growing (home prices -4.0% over 1 year, +8.5% over 5 years)

Ponder is a small, quiet rural-leaning town that appeals to buyers seeking lower prices, larger lots and a relaxed country lifestyle with very limited local services, easy access to nearby towns for shopping and commutes, and potential tradeoffs from longer drives, fewer amenities, and variable school/utility details. Ponder offers a mix of older farmsteads, acreage parcels and some newer single-family construction on larger lots, so residents enjoy space, slower pace and outdoor activities but rely on automobiles for most errands and commute routes to Denton, Fort Worth or nearby job centers; commercial services and medical options are minimal inside town and expand in neighboring communities. The area is attractive for hobby farms, equestrian use and buyers wanting room to grow, yet development is spotty so expect longer response times for infrastructure improvements and limited public transit.

Strengths:
- Compared with many North DFW suburbs, Ponder offers larger lots and more space for your money.
- Ponder ISD’s high graduation rate and community support are major draws for families.
- Crime rates are significantly below national averages, adding peace of mind for residents.

Trade-offs:
- Few shops, restaurants, and services mean most errands require a drive to Denton or surrounding suburbs.
- The quiet, rural feel is appealing to many but may feel too slow for those seeking more urban energy.
- As the population grows, local services and infrastructure continue to expand and adapt.

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 2,626; People per sq mile 824; 5-Year Growth +10.8%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 12.8%; Same Home 1+ Year 87.2%; From Out of State 0.2%; From Different County 3.5%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 33.1%; 25-34 17.2%; 35-44 19.4%; 65+ 10.7%; Median Age 33.2 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 3.0; Family Households 79.4%; Homeownership Rate 87.5%; With Kids 51.4%; Married 71.1%; Single Parent 4.0%; Living Alone 16.8%; Seniors Alone 10.5%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 97.3%; Bachelor's+ 33.5%; Graduate Degree 10.5%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 94.8%; Have Computer 100.0%; Work From Home 11.6%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $203; Starter Home $307,900; Median Price $310,101; Premium Home $645,000
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change -4%; 5-Year Change +8.5%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 45; Median Days on Market 52; Under Contract 26.2%; Price Reduced 11.9%; Sale-to-List Ratio 99.3%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Cheaper to Buy $557/mo; Seller's market 2.8 mo; Rental Yield 8.8%; Income to Buy 2.9x; vs Region Avg -10%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Remote Work Fit 75; Family Fit 60; Investment 100
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 1,946; Beds 3.4; Baths 2.6; Year Built 2019; Garage 2-car
- Real Estate / Property Mix: Single Family 87%; Townhome 0%; Condo 0%
- Real Estate / Common Features: Pool 4.5%; Garage 85.9%; Single Story 53.7%; Fireplace 12.4%; Central Air 46.9%; Waterfront 0.6%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $1,718; Median Rent $2,275; Avg HOA Fee $44/mo; Have HOA 40.1%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 0%; New Construction 62.7%; Per Bedroom $98,907
- Lifestyle / Lifestyle Scores: Area Feel Rural; Family Friendly 6.7; Outdoor Activities 3.3; Nightlife 4.7; Health & Fitness 6; Diversity 5.3; Weather 6.7
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 9; Parks 4; Gyms 4; Coffee 3; Bars 2; Daycares 60+; Pharmacies 2; Dentists 1; Libraries 1; Dog Parks 60+; Museums 1
- Lifestyle / Getting Around: Walk Score 6; Bike Score 27
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 56° / 39°; April 74° / 55°; July 94° / 77°; October 77° / 58°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 218; Rainy Days/Year 147; Annual Rainfall 53.3"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Safety Grade B+; Violent crime (per 1,000) 0.38; Property crime (per 1,000) 2.28
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Assault 0; Robbery 0; Murder 0; Rape 0
- Crime & Safety / Property Crime (per 100,000): Burglary 34.9; Theft 209.42; Vehicle Theft 0
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $106,250; Average Household $122,142; Per Capita $39,960
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 3.6%; Job Growth (1 yr) +4.1%; Poverty Rate 1.0%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 28.5%; $100k-$150k 26.6%; $75k-$100k 27.3%; $50k-$75k 10.0%; $25k-$50k 5.9%; Under $25k 1.7%
- Education / School District: Primary district Ponder ISD; District Grade B+; State Ranking Top 55%
- Education / Schools: Elementary 1; Middle 1; High School 1
- Education / Elementary Schools: Ponder Elementary D (61)
- Education / Middle Schools: Ponder Junior High C (77)
- Education / High Schools: Ponder High School A (92)
- Education / Academic Info: Student-Teacher Ratio 13.7:1
- Education / Graduation Rates (Class of 2024): Graduation Rate 99.2%; Dropout Rate 0.0%
- Education / College Readiness (Class of 2023): Took SAT/ACT 98%; College Ready 13.1%; TSI Ready 20.2%
- Transportation / Mobility Scores: Walk Score 6; Bike Score 27
- Transportation / Commute: Avg Minutes 30; Drive Alone 83.8%; Carpool 4.0%; Work from Home 11.6%
- Transportation / Distance To: Downtown Dallas 49.7 mi; DFW Airport 29.5 mi; Love Field 46.2 mi
- Cost of Living / Cost Index (100 = National Average): Overall 100; 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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