Rowlett
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- Prosperity77
- Schools78
- Safety75
- Lifestyle83
- Market74
- Affordability88
- Commute58
- Growth62
Rowlett
Snapshot
✓ Pros
- Easy access to Lake Ray Hubbard for boating, fishing, and water recreation
- Quiet neighborhoods, parks, and good schools make it ideal for families
- Relaxed living while still close to Dallas for work or entertainment
✗ Cons
- Waterfront and lake-view properties can be pricey compared to other suburbs
- Being near Lake Ray Hubbard means occasional flooding or storm concerns
- Some residents may find shopping, cultural, or healthcare options more limited than in larger cities
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 Rowlett on Google Maps
Lifestyle Scores
Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles)
Getting Around
Averaged across Rowlett, weighted by where people live. #52 of 84 cities. Its most walkable areas reach 65, and 6% of residents live somewhere walkable (50+).
Local life in Rowlett
Downtown Rowlett runs along Main Street near the Downtown Rowlett DART station (5000 Martin Dr.), the last stop on the Blue Line out of Dallas. City Hall is at 4000 Main St.
Day-to-day Rowlett2,4,8,15,17,18,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,34,35,36,38,39,40,41,43,47,51
- 1Bankhead Brewing Co.
- 2Ollie's Azul House
- 3Bombshells Rowlett (Sapphire Bay)
- 4Walmart Supercenter
- 5Walmart Neighborhood Market
- 6Tom Thumb
- 7ALDI
- 8Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Lake Pointe
- 9CareNow Urgent Care
- 10CVS Pharmacy
- 11Walgreens
- 12Lakes of Springfield Park
- 13Pecan Grove Park, Community Centre & Wet Zone
- 14Rowlett Nature Trail
- 15Paddle Point Park
- 16Lakeside Park South
- 17Waterview Golf Club
- 18Rowlett High School
- 19Coyle Middle School
- 20Schrade Middle School
- 21Rowlett Elementary
- 22Herfurth Elementary
- 23Keeley Elementary
- 24City Hall
- 25Rowlett Public Library
- 26Police Department
- 27Fire Rescue Administration
- 28Downtown Rowlett DART Station
30 most-used places. Routing origin was 32.903, -96.564 (downtown, by the DART station).
Rowlett's year, month by month6,7,19,20,21,22,23
| Month | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| April | Easter Eggstravaganza (2026 edition cancelled) | Pecan Grove Park, 5300 Main St. |
| Spring | Cardboard Boat Regatta (past years) | Rowlett Community Park |
| Summer (Thursdays) | Farmers and Craft Market (2023 schedule) | 4011 Main St. |
| July 4 | Fireworks on Main, 5-10 p.m. | Pecan Grove Park |
| September | Friday movie nights (past years) | Pecan Grove Park / Main St. |
| November | Taste & Trade (past years) | Not confirmed |
| December | Holiday Main Street Fest & Parade of Lights (Dec. 5, 2026) | 3809 Main St. |
| Dec-Feb | Rowlett on Ice outdoor skating | 4001 Main St. |
2026 dates confirmed for Fireworks on Main, the Easter event (cancelled) and the Holiday Main Street Fest. Rows marked 'past years' come from 2018-2023 sources; check the city calendar.
Drive times from downtown Rowlett1
- Downtown Garland5.0 mi10 min
- Downtown Rockwall6.9 mi12 min
- CityLine, Richardson13.5 mi20 min
- Downtown Dallas19.6 mi26 min
- Legacy West, Plano26.1 mi31 min
- Downtown McKinney28.8 mi36 min
- Dallas Love Field24.9 mi39 min
- Las Colinas, Irving27.0 mi40 min
- DFW Airport33.8 mi51 min
Realust calculation with the OSRM open routing engine. Free-flow times; weekday rush hour adds time. DART Blue Line is a no-car option to downtown Dallas.
What's in town vs. nearby1,16,18,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,33,39,40,41,50,51
| Need | In Rowlett | Nearest outside town |
|---|---|---|
| Full grocery | Walmart Supercenter, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Tom Thumb, ALDI (all on Lakeview Pkwy.) | Kroger in Garland or Sachse |
| Pharmacy | 3 CVS, 2 Walgreens, Walmart (2), Tom Thumb, Complete Pharmacy Care | - |
| Emergency room / hospital | Baylor Scott & White-Lake Pointe, 6800 Scenic Dr. (24/7, Level III trauma) | - |
| Urgent care | CareNow, 2101 Lakeview Pkwy. | - |
| Library | 3900 Main St. | - |
| Rail transit | DART Blue Line, Downtown Rowlett station | - |
| Rec center / pool | Rowlett Community Centre and Wet Zone waterpark, 5300-5304 Main St. | - |
| Golf | Waterview Golf Club (municipal, 18 holes) | - |
| Lake access | Lake Ray Hubbard: Paddle Point, Lakeside South, Isaac Scruggs parks | Lavon Lake (~26 min) |
| High school | Rowlett High School (GISD) | Sachse HS (GISD) or Rockwall HS (RISD), by address |
Store and clinic addresses from 2026 store pages and directories.
Read the full local life guide
Downtown: Main Street by the DART station
Downtown Rowlett runs along Main Street near the Downtown Rowlett DART station (5000 Martin Dr.), the last stop on the Blue Line out of Dallas. City Hall is at 4000 Main St. and the public library is a few doors away at 3900 Main St. The Village of Rowlett apartments sit across Main from the rail station.
Food and drink is a short list. Bankhead Brewing Co. (3840 Main St.) occupies a former firehouse and serves beer and wood-fired pizza. Ollie's Azul House, a taco and tequila restaurant, opened in May 2026 in the historic Oliver House at 3410 Main St., replacing Brick & Bones. La Casita Bakeshop plans to move to a larger space at 3522 Main St., Suite 300, and hopes to open there by the end of 2026.
Most day-to-day retail is not downtown. It lines Lakeview Parkway (SH 66), which crosses the city east-west to the Lake Ray Hubbard bridge into Rockwall.
The year's events cluster on Main Street and at Pecan Grove
The city's biggest event is Fireworks on Main on July 4. In 2026 it ran 5 to 10 p.m. at Pecan Grove Park, 5300 Main St. The Holiday Main Street Fest and Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 5 to 8:30 p.m., centered at 3809 Main St. It includes a lighted parade, a tree, a holiday market and live music. During last year's festival the city opened Rowlett on Ice, a seasonal outdoor rink at 4001 Main St. that ran from Dec. 6 to Feb. 7.
The city's spring Easter Eggstravaganza at Pecan Grove was scheduled for April 4, 2026, but the listing shows it was cancelled. Earlier city events included a Thursday farmers and craft market on Main Street (June 2023), a cardboard boat regatta at Community Park, Friday movie nights in September, and the Taste & Trade in November. We could not confirm that these ran in 2026.
Parks, trails and the lake
Rowlett's two largest developed parks are Rowlett Community Park (137 acres, 8700 St. Andrews Ln.) and Lakes of Springfield Park (117 acres, 5501 Antioch Dr.). Community Park has softball and soccer fields, a fishing pier, sand volleyball and trails. Springfield has a disc golf course, football fields, ponds and a radio-controlled aircraft field. Pecan Grove Park (27 acres, 5300 Main St.) sits beside the Rowlett Community Centre and the city's Wet Zone waterpark. Herfurth Park (24 acres, 4601 Centennial Dr.) has tennis and pickleball courts, ballfields and a dog park.
For walking, the Rowlett Nature Trail covers 66 acres at 1600 Miller Rd. Several neighborhood parks also have trail segments, and Scenic Park South (4701 Sunnybrook) was listed as under construction with a one-mile loop. We did not find a published total for trail miles.
Lake Ray Hubbard, about 22,000 acres, wraps the east and south sides of the city. Paddle Point Park (6301 Miller Rd.) is a launch for canoes and kayaks only and the start of the 6.4-mile Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail. Lakeside Park South (3101 C.A. Roan Dr.) and Isaac Scruggs Park (7813 Garner Rd.) have lake access. The city's 200-acre Waterview Golf Club is at 9509 Waterview Pkwy. Lavon Lake's dam is about 26 minutes north-east by car.
Errands: almost all on Lakeview Parkway
Groceries are in town. Lakeview Parkway has a Walmart Supercenter (2501 Lakeview Pkwy.), a Walmart Neighborhood Market (8800 Lakeview Pkwy.), Tom Thumb (8805 Lakeview Pkwy.) and ALDI (3500 Lakeview Pkwy.). All four Walmart and Tom Thumb stores have pharmacies. There are also two Walgreens, three CVS stores, and an independent, Complete Pharmacy Care (4206 Dalrock Rd.). A pharmacy directory showed no Kroger pharmacy in Rowlett. The nearest it listed were in Garland and Sachse.
Rowlett has its own hospital. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Lake Pointe, at 6800 Scenic Dr., is a Level III trauma center with a 24-hour emergency department. For walk-in care, CareNow is at 2101 Lakeview Pkwy., Suite 300.
Schools: two districts
Most of Rowlett, in Dallas County, is served by Garland ISD. The district lists 12 campuses with Rowlett addresses: nine PK-5 elementaries, Coyle and Schrade middle schools (6-8), and Rowlett High School (9-12) at 4700 President George Bush Hwy. Some Garland ISD addresses in Rowlett are zoned to Sachse High School instead. Garland ISD's 2025-26 overall state score rose to 86 from 84. Rowlett High School was rated B and Rowlett Elementary D.
The Rockwall County part of Rowlett is in Rockwall ISD, zoned to Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary, Williams Middle School and Rockwall High School. Rockwall ISD earned an A (91) in the 2026 TEA ratings, and Rockwall High School scored 96. Check zoning by address before you buy.
Getting around and public safety
The President George Bush Turnpike, I-30 and Lakeview Parkway (SH 66) are the main roads, and DART's Blue Line runs from downtown Rowlett into Dallas. Off-peak, downtown Garland is about 10 minutes away, Rockwall about 12, Richardson's CityLine about 20, downtown Dallas about 26 and Legacy West in Plano about 31. Love Field is about 39 minutes and DFW Airport about 51. Rush hour takes longer.
Rowlett runs its own police and fire departments. Police headquarters is at 4401 Rowlett Rd. Rowlett Fire Rescue has five stations and an administration building at 4701 Rowlett Rd. A combined fire and police station was built in the Sapphire Bay district on the lake. Sapphire Bay is a planned $1 billion development. The city issued its developer a default notice in October 2025, and the resort and lagoon had not broken ground as of June 2026.
Not confirmed yet
- TEA ratings for most Rowlett campuses (only Rowlett HS and Rowlett Elementary from GISD, and Rockwall HS from RISD, were confirmed).
- Whether Garland ISD's choice-of-school system still lets Rowlett families pick campuses outside their attendance zone, and which Rowlett addresses feed Sachse High School.
- Street addresses and grades for Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary, Williams Middle School and Rockwall High School.
- Rowlett Fire Rescue staffing, ISO rating and whether it runs the city's ambulance service.
- Police department sworn headcount.
- Citywide trail miles.
- Scenic Point Park address and current amenities.
- Whether the farmers market, cardboard boat regatta, movie nights and Taste & Trade ran in 2025-2026, and why the 2026 Eggstravaganza was cancelled.
- Post office address.
- Private schools nearby (not researched).
Questions people ask
Is there a grocery store in Rowlett?
Yes, several. A Walmart Supercenter, a Walmart Neighborhood Market, Tom Thumb and ALDI are all on Lakeview Parkway. We found no Kroger in Rowlett. The nearest are in Garland and Sachse.
Does Rowlett have a hospital?
Yes. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Lake Pointe, at 6800 Scenic Dr., has a 24-hour emergency department and is a Level III trauma center. CareNow runs an urgent care at 2101 Lakeview Pkwy.
How long is the drive from Rowlett to downtown Dallas?
About 26 minutes off-peak, roughly 20 miles. Rush hour takes longer. DART's Blue Line also runs from the Downtown Rowlett station to downtown Dallas.
How far is Rowlett from DFW Airport and Love Field?
About 51 minutes to DFW Airport (34 miles) and 39 minutes to Love Field (25 miles) off-peak.
What school district is Rowlett in?
Most of Rowlett, in Dallas County, is in Garland ISD, which has 12 campuses with Rowlett addresses, including Rowlett High School. The Rockwall County side is in Rockwall ISD. Some Garland ISD addresses feed Sachse High School. Check by address.
What are the biggest parks in Rowlett?
Rowlett Community Park (137 acres) and Lakes of Springfield Park (117 acres). The Rowlett Nature Trail covers 66 acres, Pecan Grove Park 27 and Herfurth Park 24.
Can you kayak on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett?
Yes. Paddle Point Park, at 6301 Miller Rd., is a launch for non-motorized boats only. It is the start of the 6.4-mile Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail, and kayak rentals and classes are offered there.
What happened with Sapphire Bay?
It is a planned $1 billion lakefront district. In October 2025 the city sent the developer a notice of default. As of June 2026 a Bombshells restaurant had opened there, but the resort and lagoon had not broken ground.
Sources (51) · checked Oct 28, 2026
- OSRM open routing engine, table service (Realust drive-time calculation, Oct 28 2026)
- Hoodline, Ollie's Azul House opens in Rowlett's blue house (May 2026)
- What Now Dallas, La Casita Bakeshop relocating in downtown Rowlett (July 2026)
- Toast online ordering listing, Bankhead Brewing Co., 3840 Main St. (listing title only)
- The Garland Messenger, Rowlett's Main Street (Oct 2019)
- Livability, Explore downtown Rowlett (Aug 2019)
- Livability, Rowlett: lakeside charm (Mar 2018)
- City of Rowlett, Rowlett Community Park
- City of Rowlett, Muddy Creek Open Space
- City of Rowlett, Environmental Learning Center
- City of Rowlett, Mayor's Park
- City of Rowlett, Lakeside Park North
- City of Rowlett, Schrade Bluebonnet Park
- City of Rowlett, Sunset Park
- City of Rowlett, Pecan Grove Park
- City of Rowlett, Isaac Scruggs Park
- City of Rowlett, facilities directory (City Hall, Animal Services, Community Development, Cedar Bridge and Columbia parks)
- Independence Title, Rowlett relocation guide (PDF; city contacts, parks, Wet Zone, DART station)
- Eventeny, Fireworks on Main 2026 (City of Rowlett)
- Eventeny, Holiday Main Street Fest and Parade 2026
- Eventeny, Rowlett on Ice (2025-26 season)
- Eventeny, Easter Eggstravaganza 2026 (listing marked cancelled)
- Eventeny, Rowlett Farmers and Craft Market (June 2023)
- Walmart, Rowlett Lakeview Parkway Supercenter #3225
- Walmart, Rowlett Lakeview Parkway Neighborhood Market #7240
- StoreOpeningHours, ALDI Rowlett
- RxList, pharmacies in Rowlett, TX
- Baylor Scott & White, Lake Pointe emergency care
- CareNow, Rowlett location
- Garland ISD, schools directory
- Garland ISD, accountability ratings and reports (2025-26)
- Blue Ribbon News, Rockwall ISD earns A rating (Aug 17 2026)
- Wikipedia, Rowlett, Texas (schools, transit, roads)
- NERIS (FSRI), Rowlett Fire Rescue stations FD48113375
- MuckRock, Rowlett Police Department agency record
- Hoodline, Bombshells opens at troubled Sapphire Bay (June 2026)
- Press release headline (via Galveston Daily News): Rowlett Fire and Police Station No. 5 at Sapphire Bay (body not read)
- City of Rowlett, Lakes of Springfield Park
- City of Rowlett, Waterview Golf Course
- City of Rowlett, Lakeside Park South
- City of Rowlett, Paddle Point Park
- City of Rowlett, Shorewood Park
- City of Rowlett, Herfurth Park
- City of Rowlett, Veterans Park
- City of Rowlett, Twin Star Park
- City of Rowlett, Katy Railroad Park
- City of Rowlett, Rowlett Nature Trail
- City of Rowlett, Scenic Park South
- City of Rowlett, Kenwood Heights Park
- City of Rowlett, Rowlett Community Centre (hours)
- City of Rowlett, Rowlett Public Library
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
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 Rowlett
Rush-hour drive times from the center of Rowlett, weekday at 8:00 AM.
| Workplace | 8 AM rush | No traffic | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm CityLineRichardson | 19 min | 15 min | 12.9 mi |
| Telecom CorridorRichardson | 22 min | 16 min | 14.9 mi |
| Medical City PlanoPlano | 28 min | 22 min | 18.2 mi |
| UT DallasRichardson | 28 min | 21 min | 17.2 mi |
| Legacy WestPlano | 35 min | 26 min | 25.2 mi |
| Tyler TechnologiesPlano | 36 min | 29 min | 22.8 mi |
| JPMorgan Chase Legacy WestPlano | 38 min | 27 min | 25.8 mi |
| RaytheonMcKinney | 38 min | 32 min | 29.6 mi |
Show all 36 workplaces
| Workplace | 8 AM rush | No traffic | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota North America HQPlano | 38 min | 30 min | 26.9 mi |
| Capital OnePlano | 39 min | 29 min | 27.8 mi |
| Frito-Lay / PepsiCoPlano | 39 min | 29 min | 26.4 mi |
| The StarFrisco | 39 min | 29 min | 28.3 mi |
| Keurig Dr PepperFrisco | 40 min | 30 min | 27.9 mi |
| Baylor University Medical CenterDallas | 41 min | 26 min | 21.8 mi |
| Downtown DallasDallas | 42 min | 27 min | 22.5 mi |
| McKessonLas Colinas | 43 min | 33 min | 34.8 mi |
| Texas InstrumentsDallas | 43 min | 26 min | 21.9 mi |
| AT&TDowntown Dallas | 45 min | 30 min | 22.8 mi |
| Galleria / LBJDallas | 45 min | 27 min | 23.2 mi |
| Uptown DallasDallas | 46 min | 29 min | 23.9 mi |
| Kimberly-ClarkIrving | 49 min | 38 min | 37.7 mi |
| DFW AirportDFW | 53 min | 40 min | 39.7 mi |
| American AirlinesFort Worth | 54 min | 42 min | 43.9 mi |
| SMUUniversity Park | 54 min | 32 min | 26.4 mi |
| UT Southwestern / Medical DistrictDallas | 58 min | 33 min | 28.2 mi |
| University of North TexasDenton | 60 min | 49 min | 49.1 mi |
| Texas Woman's UniversityDenton | 61 min | 51 min | 49 mi |
| Arlington Entertainment DistrictArlington | 62 min | 47 min | 41.1 mi |
| Fidelity InvestmentsWestlake | 62 min | 48 min | 48.6 mi |
| Charles SchwabWestlake | 63 min | 48 min | 49.7 mi |
| Southwest AirlinesLove Field | 63 min | 39 min | 31.5 mi |
| Las Colinas Urban CenterIrving | 64 min | 38 min | 34.5 mi |
| Dallas Love FieldDallas | 64 min | 39 min | 35.5 mi |
| AllianceTexasFort Worth | 72 min | 57 min | 57.5 mi |
| Downtown Fort WorthFort Worth | 75 min | 56 min | 54.3 mi |
| Lockheed MartinFort Worth | 83 min | 65 min | 63.3 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 Rowlett
Most of Rowlett is in Dallas County and Garland ISD. A home there pays five taxing units: Garland ISD at 1.1709, the city at 0.8079, Dallas County at 0.2155, Parkland Hospital at 0.2120 and Dallas College at 0.1066.
Where a typical Rowlett homestead tax bill goes (2025)1,3,9
- City of Rowlett$3,174/yr
- Garland ISD$3,020/yr
- Dallas County$686/yr
- Parkland Hospital$675/yr
- Dallas College$339/yr
Realust estimate. Homestead at $397,907, Dallas County side, Garland ISD, owner under 65, no PID. The same home in the Rockwall County part with Rockwall ISD would owe about $6,925.
Base 2025 tax rate: Rowlett vs. nearby cities1,3,4,5
- Rowlett (Dallas Co., Garland ISD)2.51%
- Garland (Garland ISD)2.39%
- Sachse (Dallas Co., Garland ISD)2.36%
- Mesquite (Mesquite ISD)2.35%
- Richardson (Dallas Co., Richardson ISD)2.18%
- Rowlett (Rockwall Co., Rockwall ISD)2.13%
- Wylie (Collin Co., Wylie ISD)1.95%
- Rockwall (Rockwall ISD)1.58%
Dallas County addresses also pay Parkland Hospital and Dallas College (0.534075 total with the county). Rockwall County's county rate is 0.251 with no hospital or college levy. Collin County figures include Collin College. Excludes PIDs.
Monthly cost beyond the mortgage (sourced parts only)1,9,14,16,21
- Property tax (homestead, no PID)$658/mo
- Electric (median plan, 1,000 kWh)$154/mo
- HOA (Waterview)$67/mo
- Trash & recycling$20.4/mo
Partial. Water and sewer, internet and homeowners insurance are not included because none was sourced. Many older neighborhoods have no HOA; newer lakefront ones charge $200–$253 a month.
Utility providers in Rowlett13,14,16,17
| Service | Provider | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | Oncor wires; choose a retail provider | Median 12-month plan about 15.4¢/kWh at 1,000 kWh (Oct 2026) |
| Water | City of Rowlett (NTMWD wholesale) | Rates not retrieved |
| Wastewater | City of Rowlett (treated by City of Garland) | Rates not retrieved |
| Trash & recycling | Republic Services via city bill | $20.36/month; weekly trash and recycling; bulk up to 2 cu. yd. weekly |
| Natural gas | Atmos Energy (not confirmed) | |
| Internet | Frontier fiber (citywide), Spectrum cable, Hotwire and AT&T fiber in parts | Check by address |
Read the full hidden costs guide
Property tax is the largest extra cost
Most of Rowlett is in Dallas County and Garland ISD. A home there pays five taxing units: Garland ISD at 1.1709, the city at 0.8079, Dallas County at 0.2155, Parkland Hospital at 0.2120 and Dallas College at 0.1066. All rates are per $100 of value. Together that is about 2.51% before exemptions, higher than Garland, Sachse or Mesquite.
Exemptions cut the bill. Garland ISD takes $140,000 off a homestead's value. Dallas County, Parkland and Dallas College each take 20%. The city's homestead exemption is small: 1% of value or $5,000, whichever is greater. Owners 65 and older get $30,000 off city value, $60,000 off school value and $100,000 off each county unit, plus a school tax ceiling.
The city's average homestead had a taxable value of $392,907 in 2025. Realust estimates a home worth about $398,000 owes roughly $7,890 a year, or $658 a month, on the Dallas County side. That is an effective rate of about 1.98%. The same house as a rental with no exemptions would owe about $10,000.
What changes for 2026
The city kept its rate at $0.807891 for 2026, slightly below the no-new-revenue rate of $0.811001. Because values rose, the city's notice puts the average homestead's taxable value at $403,822 for 2026, so city taxes on that home rise even with a flat rate.
Dallas County adopted 0.24865, up from 0.2155. That rate exceeds the voter-approval limit, so it goes to voters on November 3, 2026. DCAD's early estimate for Garland ISD is 1.1393, down from 1.1709, but the adopted rate was not confirmed.
The Rockwall County side costs less
Part of Rowlett lies east of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall County, where most addresses are in Rockwall ISD. There the school rate is 1.0669 and the county rate is 0.251, with no hospital or college tax. The base rate is about 2.13%. The same $398,000 homestead would owe about $6,925 a year. Some Rockwall County addresses may be in Garland ISD instead, so check by address.
MUDs, PIDs and HOAs
No municipal utility districts appear for Rowlett on the 2025 rate sheets. Public improvement districts were not confirmed. Newer lakefront projects such as Sapphire Bay and Bayside should be checked for a PID line on the tax bill.
HOA dues vary widely. A 2026 Waterview listing shows $800 a year. A Bayside listing shows $253 a month, and a Sapphire Bay listing shows $2,413 a year, which covers front-yard maintenance. Many older neighborhoods have no mandatory HOA.
Utilities
Rowlett is in Oncor's area, so residents shop for a retail electric plan. In late October 2026 the median 12-month plan worked out to about 15.4¢ per kWh, or about $154 for 1,000 kWh.
The city bills water, wastewater, trash and drainage together. Water comes wholesale from the North Texas Municipal Water District and wastewater goes to Garland for treatment. Trash and recycling cost $20.36 a month for one set of carts, collected weekly by Republic Services.
Frontier fiber is listed at nearly every address. Spectrum cable is also citywide, and Hotwire and AT&T fiber reach parts of the city.
Commute, flood risk and rent
The average commute is about 31 minutes. I-30 into Dallas is toll-free. The President George Bush Turnpike starts in Rowlett and charges 22¢ a mile with a TollTag.
First Street rates Rowlett's flood risk as minor, with about 3% of properties likely to be severely affected over 30 years. Lakefront and creekside lots deserve a closer look at flood maps and insurance quotes.
Median gross rent was $1,964 in the 2019–2023 ACS. About 76% of homes are owner-occupied.
Not confirmed yet
- What are Rowlett's current water and wastewater rates, and what does a typical 7,500-gallon bill cost?
- What does homeowners insurance typically cost for a $400,000 home in Rowlett?
- What share of parcels sits in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, especially along Lake Ray Hubbard?
- Do Sapphire Bay or Bayside homes pay a PID assessment, and how much?
- Did Dallas County voters approve the 2026 tax rate increase on November 3, 2026?
- What are typical drive times and toll costs to downtown Dallas, Richardson and Plano?
Questions people ask
What is the property tax rate in Rowlett, TX?
In the Dallas County part of Rowlett, the 2025 base rate is about 2.51%: city 0.8079, Garland ISD 1.1709, Dallas County 0.2155, Parkland Hospital 0.2120 and Dallas College 0.1066. In the Rockwall County part with Rockwall ISD, it is about 2.13%.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Rowlett?
About $7,900 a year ($658 a month) with a homestead exemption on the Dallas County side, based on 2025 rates. About $6,900 on the Rockwall County side, and about $10,000 for a rental with no exemptions.
Did Rowlett raise its tax rate for 2026?
No. The city kept $0.807891 per $100, slightly below the no-new-revenue rate. Dallas County's adopted increase goes to voters on November 3, 2026.
What homestead exemptions does Rowlett offer?
The city exempts 1% of value or $5,000, whichever is greater, plus $30,000 for owners 65 and older and $50,000 for disabled owners. Garland ISD and Rockwall ISD exempt $140,000.
Who provides electricity in Rowlett?
Oncor delivers power, and residents choose a retail electric provider. A median 12-month plan was about 15.4¢ per kWh in October 2026.
How much is trash pickup in Rowlett?
$20.36 a month for one trash cart and one recycling cart, billed by the city. Republic Services collects both weekly.
Which school district serves Rowlett?
Garland ISD serves the Dallas County part and Rockwall ISD serves most of the Rockwall County part. Check by address.
Does Rowlett have MUDs?
None appear on the 2025 rate sheets for Rowlett. PIDs in newer lakefront developments were not confirmed, so check the tax bill and seller disclosures.
Sources (26) · checked Oct 28, 2026
- Dallas Central Appraisal District, 2025 Tax Rates and exemptions
- Dallas Central Appraisal District, 2026 Estimated Tax Rates (revised March 4, 2026)
- Dallas County Tax Office, 2025 Tax Rates
- Republic Title, 2025 DFW Tax Rates and Exemptions
- Independence Title, Rockwall County 2025 Tax Rates
- Independence Title, Dallas County 2025 Tax Rates
- City of Rowlett, Budget Documents
- City of Rowlett, FY2027 Budget Summary
- City of Rowlett, 2026 Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rates
- City of Rowlett, 2024 proposed tax rate notice and exemptions (press release, Aug. 9, 2024)
- Old Republic Title, Rockwall County 2022 tax exemptions
- Dallas County, TY2026 Tax Rate Election
- City of Rowlett, Trash and Recycle Collection
- City of Rowlett, FAQ: residential trash rates
- City of Rowlett, FY2027 Budget in Brief
- ElectricRates.org, Rowlett electricity rates (Oct. 28, 2026)
- BroadbandMap.com, Internet providers in Rowlett (FCC BDC data)
- U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Rowlett city, Texas
- Census Reporter, Rowlett, TX profile
- Redfin, Rowlett housing market and climate risk
- Home listing, Waterview Ph 10
- Home listing, Bayside
- Home listing, Sapphire Bay
- KETR, Toll rates set to rise in North Texas starting July 1 (2025)
- Wikipedia, Rowlett, Texas
- Dallas County Tax Office, 2025 property tax FAQ pamphlet
What’s coming
Public projects that will change daily life in Rowlett: new jobs, roads, schools and places to go. Every project links to its source.
Rowlett Municipal Complex
Bond-funded 25-acre campus at Herfurth Park with a new city hall, police HQ, courts and an animal shelter, plus trails, playgrounds and a dog park.
Why it matters: New police HQ and park amenities in central Rowlett.
I-30 widening, Rowlett to Hunt County
TxDOT's $348M project widens I-30 and adds continuous frontage roads from SH 205 to the Hunt County line, plus new frontage road bridges across Lake Ray Hubbard.
Why it matters: Smoother I-30 commute across the lake toward Dallas; work zones until 2028.
Also in Rockwall · Fate · Royse City
H-E-B at Firewheel Pkwy & PGBT
H-E-B plans a store on a 21-acre site between Crist Road and Firewheel Parkway off the George Bush Turnpike. The land purchase was not yet final when announced in Feb 2026.
Why it matters: First full H-E-B for north Garland shoppers.
Lake Ray Hubbard lakefront plan
Garland is weighing a long-range plan to redevelop about 820 acres along Lake Ray Hubbard over three to five decades, timed partly to the planned George Bush Turnpike extension.
Why it matters: Could reshape the Harbor Point/lakefront area over decades.
Also in Garland
Miller Rd widening & lake bridge
$60M regional project to widen Miller Road from 2 to 4 divided lanes between the PGBT frontage road and Glen Hill Drive, replacing its bridge over Lake Ray Hubbard. Design is slated for FY2027.
Why it matters: Wider lake crossing for south Rowlett drivers heading to PGBT.
Chiesa Road widening
Rowlett's council approved eminent domain in July 2026 to acquire right-of-way and easements for widening Chiesa Road between Dalrock Road and Miller Road.
Why it matters: More capacity on one of Rowlett's main north-south streets.
Citywide
Dallas County homelessness tax vote
County Prop A would raise the tax rate to $0.24865 per $100 from $0.2155 to fund homelessness reduction, incl. mental health treatment, support services and encampment resolution.
Why it matters: Higher county tax bill for Dallas County homeowners if it passes.
Also in Dallas · Irving · Garland · Grand Prairie · Mesquite · Carrollton · Richardson · DeSoto · Cedar Hill · Coppell · Lancaster · Duncanville · Farmers Branch · Sachse · Balch Springs · University Park · Seagoville · Glenn Heights · Addison · Highland Park · Hutchins · Wilmer · Sunnyvale · Cockrell Hill · Combine
Citywide
I-30 widening, I-635 to Bass Pro Dr.
TxDOT is designing a rebuild of I-30 from I-635 to Bass Pro Drive, widening it from 8 to 11 lanes with ramp changes ($158M), plus a rebuilt Bass Pro Drive interchange ($57M). Bid dates are TBD.
Why it matters: Relief on I-30 between Mesquite, Garland and Lake Ray Hubbard.
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 Rowlett
Rowlett started as a railroad stop on the Dallas and Greenville line in the 1880s. It incorporated in 1952 with about 250 people, then faded when I-30 bypassed the old town center in the 1960s.
Rowlett population, 1990-20261,2,4
1990-2020: decennial Census counts. 2021-2025: Census Bureau July 1 estimates (Vintage 2025), flagged as estimates. 2026: NCTCOG Jan. 1 estimate. No projection is charted because none was found.
New housing units permitted by the City of Rowlett (all types)5,6
Census Building Permits Survey. Spikes in 2014-2015, 2017-2022 and 2025 are apartment buildings (5+ units). 2026 is January-September only.
Single-family homes permitted in Rowlett5,6
Census Building Permits Survey, 1-unit buildings. 2026 is January-September only.
Garland ISD enrollment18,19
Garland ISD serves most of Rowlett. 2015-16 to 2024-25 from Ballotpedia's district enrollment table; 2026 from Texas Tribune's state data. No projection is charted because none was found. Rockwall ISD (Rockwall County part of Rowlett) had 19,185 students in 2026.
New-home communities and projects in Rowlett7,9,10,12,13
| Community | Developer | Builders | Planned size | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire Bay | Sapphire Bay Land Holdings I | Zale Properties (apartments); others n/p | 117 acres; 1,600 units, 1.4M sq ft commercial | Partly built; default notice Oct 2025 | Lake peninsula south of I-30 |
| Bayside | n/p | Mattamy, Beazer | 290 Mattamy homes; Beazer n/p | Selling (final phase) | 8022 Watercress St |
| Trails at Cottonwood Creek | n/p | Grand, First Texas, Grenadier, Meritage | n/p | Selling | 8214 Cottonwood Creek Trl |
| Lake Park | Cambridge Homes | Cambridge | 142 homes on 35 acres | Selling | 2522 Sunrise Dr |
| Lake Shore Village | n/p | Windsor | n/p | Selling | 8522 Watersway |
| Canterbury Cove | n/p | Sumeer | n/p | Selling | 3629 Geoffrey |
n/p = not published. Lot totals and lots built are not published for most communities.
Where new homes and projects are going7,9,10,12,13,16
- 1Bayside (Mattamy gallery)
- 2Bayside (Beazer)
- 3Lake Park
- 4Lake Shore Village
- 5Canterbury Cove
- 6Downtown Rowlett DART station
Sapphire Bay is a general location, not a street address. Street suffixes for Watersway, Naples and Geoffrey were not published. Off the map (farther out): Trails at Cottonwood Creek.
Private-sector jobs near Rowlett, by ZIP code area (2023)28
- Plano8 ZIPs245,129 jobs
- Richardson3 ZIPs121,450 jobs
- Garland5 ZIPs63,114 jobs
- Mesquite3 ZIPs43,122 jobs
- Rockwall2 ZIPs27,445 jobs
- Rowlett75088, 7508911,908 jobs
- Wylie7509811,468 jobs
- Royse City751895,573 jobs
- Sachse750483,336 jobs
Census ZIP Code Business Patterns, March 2023 paid employees. Excludes government jobs and the self-employed. ZIP areas are not city limits; city totals are sums of the listed ZIPs' reported counts.
Read the full growth story guide
A lake town that grew in one generation
Rowlett started as a railroad stop on the Dallas and Greenville line in the 1880s. It incorporated in 1952 with about 250 people, then faded when I-30 bypassed the old town center in the 1960s.
Lake Ray Hubbard changed that. The lake was finished in 1971, and the town went from 2,243 people in 1970 to 23,260 in 1990 and 44,503 in 2000. In 2000 alone the city permitted 823 new homes.
Population: slow and steady, near build-out
The 2020 Census counted 62,535 people. Census Bureau estimates show 63,699 in 2021, 65,152 in 2022, 67,380 in 2023, 68,168 in 2024 and 67,890 in July 2025. NCTCOG's Jan. 1, 2026 estimate is 67,750, up 231 in a year.
That is a little over 1,000 people a year since 2020, much slower than the 1990s. About 88% of residents live in the Dallas County part of the city and 12% in the Rockwall County part. No city or regional population forecast for Rowlett was found.
Housing: apartments lead, single-family infill
Most growth now comes in apartment buildings. Census permit data show 1,158 apartment units permitted in 2017 and 892 in 2025. Single-family permits ran 110 to 370 a year from 2014 to 2025, far below the 600 to 800 a year of the early 2000s. Through September 2026 the city had permitted 119 single-family homes and no apartment buildings.
The main for-sale communities are Trails at Cottonwood Creek in the north (Grand, First Texas, Grenadier and Meritage), Bayside on the lake (Mattamy and Beazer; Mattamy plans 290 homes), Cambridge's 142-home Lake Park, Windsor's Lake Shore Village and Sumeer's Canterbury Cove.
About 75% of occupied homes are owner-occupied in the 2020-2024 ACS. School district, county and any PID vary by address, so check before you buy.
Sapphire Bay and the lake
Sapphire Bay is the city's largest project: about 117 acres on a Lake Ray Hubbard peninsula south of I-30, planned for 1,600 homes and apartments, 1.4 million sq ft of commercial space, a hotel and a man-made lagoon. A marina, single-family homes, a restaurant and the 400-unit View at Sapphire Bay apartments are built. The hotel and lagoon core is not.
In October 2025 the city council authorized a notice of default and intent to end the development agreements, citing about a decade of limited progress. The mayor has said the city would welcome a different developer. A Bombshells restaurant opened there in June 2026. How the dispute ends was not confirmed.
Roads and rail
I-30 is being rebuilt across the lake. TxDOT's $802 million program adds lanes, continuous frontage roads with new lake bridges, and a new Dalrock Rd interchange. The Rowlett-area segment started in 2021; the next segment east to SH 205 is due in January 2027.
DART's Blue Line has served Downtown Rowlett since December 2012, and the George Bush Turnpike runs half a mile east of the station. Rowlett is a commuter city: Census business data count about 11,900 private-sector jobs in its two ZIP codes, against about 63,000 in Garland and 121,000 in Richardson.
Schools: one district shrinking, one growing
Most of Rowlett is in Garland ISD, which had 57,517 students in 2015-16 and 51,021 in 2024-25; state data for 2026 show 49,151. Voters passed a $455.5 million bond in 2014 and a $1.1 billion bond in May 2023.
The Rockwall County part of the city is in Rockwall ISD, which had 19,185 students in 2026, up 24% since 2016. Its voters narrowly passed $476 million in bonds in 2021, then rejected about $848 million in bonds and a tax-rate increase in November 2024.
Values and incomes
The median owner-estimated home value rose from $162,000 (2011-2015) to $228,800 (2015-2019) and $368,800 (2020-2024). Median household income rose from $83,416 to $112,081 over the same periods.
Single-family permit values point the same way: about $531,000 of construction value per new home in 2025, more than double 2019.
Not confirmed yet
- Will Sapphire Bay's hotel and lagoon core be built, and by whom?
- Where will the city's new municipal complex go?
- Does NCTCOG or the city publish a population forecast or build-out figure for Rowlett?
- What enrollment projections and campus plans do Garland ISD and Rockwall ISD have for Rowlett-area schools?
- How many lots remain in Trails at Cottonwood Creek and Bayside?
- Which apartment projects were permitted in 2025?
Questions people ask
What is the population of Rowlett, Texas?
The Census Bureau estimated 67,890 on July 1, 2025. NCTCOG estimated 67,750 on Jan. 1, 2026. The 2020 Census counted 62,535.
Is Rowlett still growing?
Slowly. Census estimates show about 1,000 people a year since 2020, and NCTCOG's estimate rose 231 in 2025. Most new housing is apartments plus a few hundred single-family homes a year.
How many new homes are being built in Rowlett?
The city permitted 1,018 housing units in 2025 (110 single-family, 892 in apartment buildings) and 123 units from January to September 2026.
What is happening with Sapphire Bay?
The city sent the developer a notice of default in October 2025 after years of limited progress on the hotel and lagoon core. Homes, a marina, a restaurant and 400 apartments are built.
Which school district serves Rowlett?
Garland ISD serves the Dallas County part; Rockwall ISD serves the Rockwall County part. Some homes are zoned to Sachse High School. Check by address.
Did the Rockwall ISD bond pass?
No. In November 2024 voters rejected three bonds totaling about $848 million and a tax-rate increase. Its 2021 bonds passed narrowly.
What new-home communities are in Rowlett?
Trails at Cottonwood Creek, Bayside, Lake Park, Lake Shore Village and Canterbury Cove are selling. Woodcreek, often listed as Rowlett, is in Fate.
Sources (29) · checked Oct 28, 2026
- Rowlett, Texas (Wikipedia; historical census table and history)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates, Texas (sub-est2025_48.csv)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2020 city and town population estimates 2010-2020, Texas (SUB-EST2020_48.csv)
- NCTCOG, 2026 Population Estimates (Jan. 1, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, annual place files, South Region (soYYYYa.txt, 2000-2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, South Region place file, year-to-date through Sept 2026 (so2609y.txt)
- The Real Deal, Lake Ray Hubbard's $1B project threatened with default (Oct 17, 2025)
- KETR, Work on Rowlett's ambitious Bayside to begin in March (Jan 31, 2017)
- Mattamy Homes, Mattamy Homes announces final phase of Bayside community in Rowlett, Texas (Nov 20, 2025)
- Homes.com, new home communities in Rowlett, TX (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- NewHomeSource, new home communities in Rowlett, TX (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- Grand Homes, Trails at Cottonwood Creek community page
- The Real Deal, Cambridge builds lakeside homes near Dallas (Mar 22, 2023)
- GatherGov, Rowlett TX development pipeline (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- Construction Equipment Guide, TxDOT's $802M I-30 project in Dallas area makes strides (Dec 10, 2024)
- Downtown Rowlett station (Wikipedia)
- Trade and Industry Development / Business Wire, Bombshells Rowlett opens at $1B Sapphire Bay development, employing 140+ (June 11, 2026; headline)
- Ballotpedia, Garland Independent School District, Texas (enrollment by year)
- Texas Tribune Public Schools Explorer, Garland ISD (state enrollment data, 2026)
- Texas Tribune Public Schools Explorer, Rockwall ISD (state enrollment data, 2026)
- Blue Ribbon News, GISD superintendent's response to school bond election (Nov 5, 2014)
- Ballotpedia, Garland ISD Proposition A, school facilities bond (May 2023)
- Blue Ribbon News, Voters approve Rockwall ISD bonds, county road bond (Nov 2021)
- The Texan, Rockwall ISD tax rate increase and bond package both fail (Nov 2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year table-based summary files 2021-2024 (B25077, B19013, B25001, B25003), place 4863572
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2015-2019 5-year summary file, Texas
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2011-2015 5-year summary file, Texas
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ZIP Code Business Patterns totals (zbp23totals)
- First Texas Homes, Woodcreek community page (Fate, TX)