About Melissa

Melissa, Texas is one of those towns that is far enough away from Dallas that you don’t feel caught-up in the fast paced nature of the large city while also being close enough to major areas like frisco and plano where you can experience the amenities and entertainment options that you only get in places with a little more size. 

And if that’s what you’re looking for, Melissa is perfect. This city has a population of around 23,000 so it is pretty small when compared to other North Dallas suburbs, but that is not going to last very long. 

In fact, you might want to get down here quick if you still want to experience that small town feel because Melissa is growing. And it’s growing fast. 

With a total build-out capacity of 119,000 and an increase in population of over 65% in the last three years, Melissa is one of the fastest growing cities in Collin County, second only to Celina.



History of Melissa, TX

Melissa has a similar story to most of the suburbs in the far northern reaches of the DFW. After a few families came to the small settlement, The Houston and Texas Central Railroad reached the town in 1872 and established a depot. You would think that, like most of the other North Dallas towns, Melissa would expand rapidly after that. But that wasn’t the case. In fact, by 1884, the town only had a population of 100 and wouldn’t reach 1000 until the 21st century.

Like the rest of the country, the 1920s were a difficult time for Melissa but for different reasons. In 1921, virtually every building in the town was destroyed by a tornado and had to be rebuilt. But all of that work was undone in 1929, when a fire burned down many of the buildings that had been replaced. All of this hardship and the onset of the Great Depression drove many people away, and the population declined by almost 50% in the twenty years following the fire.

So, where did Melissa get its name? There is still some debate on the origin of the town’s name with many believing that it is named after Melissa Quinlan, the daughter of a railroad executive. But others argue that the town is actually named for Melissa Huntington, daughter of C.P. Huntington (who had another daughter named Anna for which the neighboring town is supposedly named after).

Downtown Melissa

We are here in downtown Melissa, where you can feel the Texas history pouring from every building right out onto the street. 

The Melissa City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission have given their approval for a fantastic plan to revamp the downtown area. They’ve agreed to start by developing a 50,000 square-foot space at the northwest corner of Fannin Road and State Highway 5.

Jobs and Economy

In the past 5 years, Melissa has experienced significant growth, resulting in a notable boost to its economy. A large majority of Melissa’s residents, 88.6%, are homeowners, while over 40% of the population possess a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The average earnings amount to $64,691, with a median household income of $117,750. There is a new plant located in Sherman, about 30 minutes away. 

Melissa is also right next to some major commercial hubs such as Plano, Frisco, and downtown Dallas, although this commute would probably be around 45 minutes. As for the city itself, the city of Melissa and Melissa ISD act as the two largest employers.

Schools

Melissa ISD

Melissa Independent School District is an A-rated 5A school district in Collin County and one of the fastest-growing in the area. It serves 6,000 students and employs 700 staff members across four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

Melissa ISD students excel, ranking in the top 3-5% academically and in extracurricular programs. They consistently achieve top-five placements in the UIL LONE STAR CUP. The district is impressive, standing in the top 50 out of 965 school districts according to SchoolDigger.com. Notably, 50% of Melissa High School seniors graduate with college credits earned during grades 9-12.

Melissa High School

Melissa High School enrolls 1315 students and holds an A rating according to niche.com. It ranks in the top 12% of Public High Schools in Texas and the top 5% in Best High Schools for Athletes in Texas. On average, students score 1170 on the SAT and 26 on the ACT.

The expense per student is 23% higher than the national average. Teachers earn an average salary of $56,015 and have around 10.9 years of experience.

The high school offers a wide range of sports, including football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, and softball. Additionally, it has impressive theater and visual arts programs.

Shopping

Melissa Village

Melissa Village is the brand new shopping center in the heart of Melissa. This new development comes after the rapid growth of Melissa in the past 5 years and the need for a shopping center that keeps up with it. 

The shopping center will house several retail and food options including: 

• Taco Bell 
• Smoothie King
• Jersey Mikes
• Red Feather
• Braum’s Ice Cream 

There is still plenty of space left to be developed in the area with plans for a bank, grocery store, and movie theater all in the works. 

Lola’s Local Market

If you’re looking to get a taste of some of the local foods and crafts, then your first stop should be Lola’s Local Market here in Melissa. This Farmer’s Market has got it all from fresh produce to artisan crafts. You can even stop by to see some animals if you want. All in all, this is a great place to spend a weekend afternoon with the kids or just hang out by yourself and see everything that Melissa has to offer. 

Food

The Red Feather

The Red Feather is a staple of Melissa Cuisine. This is a community favorite and has plenty of options for food and drink.

With over 50 local investors, it’s easy to see why the entire town marks this as one of the top spots in Melissa. 

This wine bar and sandwich shop has got it all. You can stop by for a quick lunch or bring some friends on the weekend for a wine tasting event. 

So, if you are thinking about making that move to Melissa, this is one spot that you’ll want to make time for. 

Parks and Recreation

The Z-Plex Texas Sports Village

The Z-Plex Texas Sports Village is a must-visit for local sports fans and athletes. It has 5 parks and is currently building a huge 90-acre park. Whether you love baseball, softball, soccer, football, or tennis, this place has got you covered. They have 8 excellent turf baseball and softball fields, both grass and turf soccer fields, and 12 tennis courts (4 covered and 8 uncovered).

If you’re feeling hungry while waiting for the next game, head over to The DougOut Sports Grill. They offer tasty food and drinks for parents and young athletes alike.

Buccees

If you don’t know what Buccee’s is, then you must not be from Texas. For those of you that don’t know, Buccee’s is a staple of Texan Culture, the One Stop Shop for every family road trip. These convenience stores, if you can even call them that anymore, are filled with local goods from candies to barbeque and everything in between. And the one in Melissa, is 50,000 sqft. 

And this is no ordinary Buccee’s. The Melissa Buccee’s has actually ranked as the #2 Best Buccee’s in the state, just behind New Braunfels. 

So if you are making your move to Melissa, just remember to make a stop at the world-famous Buccee’s when you get here, because it won’t be your last time. 

Neighborhoods

Liberty 

Our first stop is Liberty By Hillwood Communities. Builders include Bloomfield HOmes, Highland Homes, K. Hovnanian Homes and Perry Homes. This is the perfect place for a family with easy access to the Sam Rayburn Highway and just across from the City Park. Home Prices range from the $500s to the $900s.

Some of the amenities include:

• Amenity Center with Resort Style Pool and Splash Pad
• On-Site Elementary School at Harry McKillop 
• 2 Fully Stocked Catch and Release Ponds 
• Sports Pavilion 
• Playgrounds 

Milrany Ranch 

Milrany Ranch is another master-planned community here in Melissa. The draw of this neighborhood? It has plenty of green spaces for outdoor lovers. You are also right next door to Lavon Lake where you can spend a day on the water. Homes here are built exclusively by UnionMain Homes and K Hovnanian Homes at start at the low $400,000s. Residents here also won’t have to worry about the dreaded MUD tax of other communities, so if saving a little extra money seems like a good deal to you, then you’re in the right place. 

Some of the amenities include: 

• Community Center perfect for hosting Get-Togethers
• Nature Trails 
• Spacious Community Pool 
• Plenty of Green SPaces 
• Full Playground with SLides, Swings, and Benches 

Meadow Run

The last neighborhood on our list is Meadow Run. You’ll find homes here starting at the high $400,000s. This neighborhood is perfect for growing families, first time buyers or even empty nesters. All of the amenities make this quiet neighborhood one worth calling home and with Melissa High School right across the street, you won’t have to worry about the long commutes to take the kids to school before work.

Some more of the amenities of this community include a: 

• Community Pool
• Amenity Center with Kitchen 
• Community Park 
• Walking Paths 
• Basketball Court 

Pros of Melissa Texas

The School District is Fantastic 

If you have done any research on the school districts in the Northern Dallas area, then you have probably been pretty impressed. School districts up in this area are almost always top tier, and Melissa is no different. 

More Affordable than Frisco and Plano 

With a median home price of $510,000, Melissa stands as a more affordable housing option compared to the big cities of Plano and Frisco.

For example, the median home price in Plano is around $541,000 and Frisco is a whopping $679,000. 

It’s Growing Fast 

If I told you that the population in Melissa has almost tripled in the last 10 years, would you believe me? 

Well it’s true. The secret is out and people are flocking to this city in droves.

Do you want me to really blow your mind? In those same 10 years, Homes available for sale have also increased by almost 10 times. 

Low Crime Rate 

There is no doubt that safety is one of the most important factors for you when looking for your next place to live, and I’ve got some good news for you. Melissa is the 21st safest city in all of Texas and has a crime rate of .59. That means your odds of becoming a victim in a violent crime are 1 in 1698. Compare that to the state average of 1 in 220 and you’ll see what I’m talking about. 

This is a Family Town 

When you look at the many neighborhoods spread throughout Melissa, the great schools all relatively close together, and the infinite family activities around this town, it doesn’t take you long to see that Melissa is a family town. If you’ve been paying attention to all of the pros that we’ve given you so far, you’ll see this little town is the perfect recipe for a family looking for a home. 

Cons of Melissa Texas

There isn’t Much of a NightLife

Like we said, Melissa is a family town. Because of that, late night dining options and bars are pretty limited and if you don’t want to spend a night on the town, you’ll have to make the drive to Frisco or Plano. But even McKinney and Allen will have some options if you don’t want to drive as far. 

East Melissa Has a Landfill

If you start driving along Sam Rayburn heading Northeast and out of Melissa, you might get a whiff of a pretty unpleasant smell. That would be 121 Regional Disposal Facility. This is a pretty large landfill that sits on the outskirts of the town. The good news is there aren’t many developments near the landfill. The bad news is, if you’re driving around that area, you might notice it. 

You will Be Driving… A Lot 

Melissa is a small town, and as such, jobs that aren’t within the city itself will be located in one of the nearby cities. Depending on your job, this could mean a daily commute of up to 40 minutes or more. Therefore, if you don’t have a car, or prefer not to use one, then Melissa may not be the best place for you.

There is No DART in Melissa 

Like much of North Texas, Melissa is a part of the DART system. And for those that don’t know, DART is the Dallas Area Rapid Transit that operates buses, light rails, and commuter rails all throughout the metroplex. If you are looking to catch a ride on one of the transits, you’ll have to venture down to Mckinney, as they have the nearest stops. 

MUD Taxes 

Melissa has a lot of new developments. That is just a fact. And with that, comes MUD taxes. Not everyone will have to pay these taxes but it is something you will have to keep in mind when choosing which community in Melissa you want to call home. 

The Living in Dallas Texas Team Can Help You With Your Move to Melissa Texas

Melissa is truly one of those cities that can help you get away from it all. You won’t have to worry about the busy life of Dallas when you live in this suburb. If you think this is a place where you can call home, reach out to us at the Living in Dallas Texas Team. We help people from all over the country make that smooth move to Dallas, and we want to help you too. So, give us a call, shoot us a text, or set up a zoom so we can help you make that move to Melissa!