Denton TX Demographics and Housing Data 2026
Key Takeaways:
Denton's population has surged past 160,000 residents, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in Denton County, Texas
The University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University create a unique dual-university housing dynamic that agents must understand
Median household income exceeds $62,000, with significant variation between student-heavy corridors and established family neighborhoods
Annual residential transactions exceed 3,800 units across Denton's diverse housing stock
Agents leveraging US Tech Automations demographic targeting report 40% higher engagement rates than generic farming approaches
Denton's Population and Demographic Profile
Denton is a city in Denton County, Texas, located approximately 40 miles north of Dallas in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The city serves as the county seat and anchors the northern edge of the DFW Metroplex, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How fast is Denton TX growing? According to Census Bureau estimates, Denton's population has exceeded 160,000 residents as of 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3.2% over the past decade. This growth trajectory places Denton among the top 15 fastest-growing cities in Texas by percentage gain.
| Demographic Indicator | Denton TX | Denton County | Texas Statewide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Population (2025) | 160,000+ | 1,020,000+ | 30.5M+ |
| Median Age | 29.8 years | 34.2 years | 35.1 years |
| Median Household Income | $62,500 | $94,800 | $67,300 |
| Population Growth (5-Year) | 16.8% | 22.4% | 9.1% |
| College-Educated (Bachelor's+) | 42.1% | 45.6% | 31.3% |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 67.8% | 62.3% |
According to the American Community Survey, Denton's relatively young median age of 29.8 years reflects the substantial student population from its two major universities. However, this figure masks significant demographic variation across neighborhoods.
Denton agents who segment their farms by student-adjacent versus family-established zones see conversion rates 2.5x higher than those farming the city as a single market, according to local MLS performance data.
Household Composition Breakdown
| Household Type | Percentage | Estimated Households |
|---|---|---|
| Family Households with Children | 28.4% | 17,600 |
| Family Households without Children | 22.1% | 13,700 |
| Single-Person Households | 31.8% | 19,700 |
| Non-Family Multi-Person | 17.7% | 11,000 |
What types of households dominate Denton? According to Census data, the high proportion of single-person and non-family households (49.5% combined) reflects the university influence. However, the family household segments represent the primary targets for real estate farming, as they drive the majority of single-family purchase transactions.
The US Tech Automations platform enables agents to build automated demographic filters that separate student renters from long-term homeowner prospects, ensuring farming budgets target only conversion-ready households.
Income Distribution and Purchasing Power
Denton's income landscape reveals distinct tiers that directly impact housing demand patterns.
| Income Bracket | Percentage of Households | Affordable Price Range | Primary Neighborhoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.2% | Rental market | University corridors, downtown |
| $35,000–$65,000 | 22.4% | $180,000–$280,000 | South Denton, older subdivisions |
| $65,000–$100,000 | 20.1% | $280,000–$420,000 | Robson Ranch fringe, central |
| $100,000–$150,000 | 17.3% | $420,000–$630,000 | North Lakes, Rayzor Ranch area |
| $150,000+ | 12.0% | $630,000+ | Savannah, Canyon Falls fringe |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Denton's employment base has diversified beyond education, with healthcare, technology, and logistics sectors contributing to middle-income and upper-middle-income household growth. This diversification strengthens the housing market's resilience against single-sector downturns.
How much do Denton homebuyers earn? According to NAR buyer profile data, the typical Denton homebuyer household earns between $78,000 and $105,000 annually, positioning them in the $320,000 to $450,000 purchase range that represents the market's sweet spot.
Buyer Profile Analysis
| Buyer Segment | Share of Transactions | Median Purchase Price | Avg. Days on Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Time Buyers | 38.2% | $295,000 | 28 |
| Move-Up Families | 26.4% | $385,000 | 34 |
| University-Related Relocations | 14.8% | $340,000 | 22 |
| Investors (Rental) | 12.1% | $265,000 | 18 |
| Downsizers/Retirees | 8.5% | $310,000 | 42 |
First-time buyers dominate Denton's transaction volume at 38.2%, according to Texas Realtors Association data — a rate significantly above the national average of 26%, driven by affordability relative to Dallas proper.
Racial and Ethnic Demographics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Denton's demographic composition has shifted significantly over the past decade, with increasing diversity across all neighborhoods.
| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage | 10-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| White (Non-Hispanic) | 55.8% | -7.2 pts |
| Hispanic/Latino | 22.4% | +4.8 pts |
| Black/African American | 10.2% | +1.4 pts |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 7.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Two or More Races | 4.5% | +1.2 pts |
What is Denton's ethnic composition? According to Census data, Denton's growing diversity creates distinct neighborhood character zones. The Hispanic/Latino population has concentrated along the I-35E corridor in south Denton, while Asian communities have grown substantially near the University of North Texas campus area, according to American Community Survey microdata.
Effective farming requires culturally aware messaging. US Tech Automations' platform supports multilingual campaign automation, enabling agents to deliver Spanish-language and Vietnamese-language materials to appropriate demographic segments without manual sorting.
Educational Attainment and University Impact
Denton's dual-university ecosystem creates a distinctive educational profile that shapes housing demand.
| Education Level | Denton | DFW Metro | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School or Less | 16.2% | 19.8% | 27.1% |
| Some College/Associate's | 24.3% | 22.1% | 20.6% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 28.8% | 27.4% | 21.6% |
| Graduate/Professional | 13.3% | 14.2% | 13.1% |
| Currently Enrolled | 17.4% | 5.2% | 6.8% |
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, UNT enrolls approximately 44,000 students while Texas Woman's University adds another 16,000, creating a combined student body of 60,000. This university presence generates consistent rental demand but also produces a pipeline of graduates who become first-time buyers.
How do universities affect Denton's housing market? According to local market analysis, approximately 8% of UNT and TWU graduates purchase homes in Denton County within two years of graduation. This creates a renewable first-time buyer pipeline that agents can target through graduation-timed farming campaigns.
Identify graduating seniors through public commencement data. University graduation ceremonies are publicly announced, providing timing signals for outreach campaigns.
Build pre-graduation awareness campaigns 6 months before spring commencement. Students begin housing searches in January for May graduations.
Segment by program type to predict income and price range. Engineering and nursing graduates earn significantly more than liberal arts graduates in their first positions.
Create neighborhood guides tailored to young professional preferences. Walkability, dining, and nightlife proximity rank highest for recent graduates.
Deploy automated drip sequences through US Tech Automations triggered by graduation timelines. The platform's CRM workflows can stage 12-month nurture campaigns aligned to academic calendars.
Target parent investors who purchase properties for students. Parent-funded purchases represent a significant segment near both campuses.
Monitor rental-to-purchase conversion signals in your CRM. Tenants who've rented for 2+ years show highest purchase intent.
Partner with university career services for relocation referrals. Incoming faculty and staff represent high-quality leads year-round.
Neighborhood Demographic Zones
Denton's neighborhoods divide into distinct demographic zones that require different farming approaches.
| Zone | Key Neighborhoods | Median Price | Dominant Demo | Farming Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Core | Fry Street, Oak-Hickory | $225,000 | Students/Young Adults | Investor-focused |
| Historic Downtown | Courthouse Square, Bell Ave | $310,000 | Young Professionals | Lifestyle messaging |
| South Denton | Mayhill, Woodrow | $265,000 | Hispanic Families | Bilingual campaigns |
| North Lakes | Rayzor Ranch, North Lakes Park | $385,000 | Move-Up Families | School-focused |
| Master-Planned West | Robson Ranch, Savannah | $420,000 | Retirees/Empty Nesters | Amenity-focused |
| Canyon Falls Fringe | Northlake/Argyle border | $510,000 | Affluent Families | Premium positioning |
According to Denton County Appraisal District records, the spread between Denton's most affordable and most expensive zones exceeds 125%, creating substantial micro-market variation within a single city.
Agents farming Denton as a monolithic market waste an estimated 35-40% of their budget reaching demographics unlikely to transact, according to farming ROI studies published by the Texas Association of Realtors.
Age Distribution by Zone
| Age Group | University Core | South Denton | North Lakes | Master-Planned West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | 62% | 14% | 8% | 3% |
| 25–34 | 18% | 28% | 22% | 8% |
| 35–44 | 8% | 24% | 32% | 15% |
| 45–54 | 5% | 18% | 22% | 24% |
| 55–64 | 4% | 10% | 10% | 28% |
| 65+ | 3% | 6% | 6% | 22% |
Housing Stock Analysis
| Housing Type | Units | Percentage | Avg. Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Detached | 32,400 | 52.3% | 2004 |
| Apartments/Multi-Family | 21,800 | 35.2% | 2010 |
| Townhomes/Attached | 4,300 | 6.9% | 2014 |
| Mobile/Manufactured | 2,100 | 3.4% | 1998 |
| Duplexes/Triplexes | 1,400 | 2.2% | 2001 |
According to the Denton Central Appraisal District, the average year built of 2004 for single-family homes indicates a relatively modern housing stock. However, significant pockets of 1960s–1980s construction exist near the university campuses, creating renovation opportunity zones.
What types of homes are available in Denton? According to local building permit data, Denton has issued over 1,200 single-family permits annually over the past three years, adding significant new inventory in the northern and western growth corridors. This new construction competes directly with resale inventory in the $350,000–$450,000 range.
Property Tax and Cost of Living Analysis
Property taxes significantly impact affordability and buyer decisions in Denton, where multiple overlapping taxing jurisdictions create complex tax rates.
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | Annual Tax on $350,000 Home |
|---|---|---|
| City of Denton | $0.5657 | $1,980 |
| Denton County | $0.2150 | $753 |
| Denton ISD | $1.1579 | $4,053 |
| Denton County Fresh Water District | $0.0350 | $123 |
| Total Effective Rate | $1.9736 | $6,908 |
According to the Denton County Tax Assessor-Collector, the total effective tax rate of approximately $1.97 per $100 of assessed value places Denton's tax burden slightly above the DFW metro average of $1.85. However, Denton ISD's strong academic reputation justifies the premium for family buyers.
How do Denton property taxes compare to nearby cities?
| City | Effective Tax Rate | Annual Tax ($350K Home) | School District Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denton | $1.97 | $6,908 | B+ |
| Frisco | $1.86 | $6,510 | A |
| McKinney | $1.92 | $6,720 | A- |
| Lewisville | $2.04 | $7,140 | B+ |
| Flower Mound | $1.89 | $6,615 | A |
Denton's property tax rate creates approximately $200–$400 more annual burden than Frisco or Flower Mound, but median home prices are $100,000–$150,000 lower, according to Denton County Appraisal District data — making total monthly housing costs more favorable.
Commission and Transaction Economics
| Transaction Metric | Denton TX | DFW Metro Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $345,000 | $395,000 |
| Average Commission Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Average Agent-Side Commission | 2.6% | 2.55% |
| Commission per Transaction | $8,970 | $10,073 |
| Annual Transactions (City) | 3,800+ | — |
| Average Agent Transaction Volume | 6.2/year | 7.1/year |
According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, Denton's agent-to-transaction ratio indicates moderate competition, with approximately 1,400 licensed agents serving the market. However, only about 320 agents (23%) close more than 6 transactions annually, according to MLS data analysis.
What commission can agents earn farming Denton? According to local MLS data, an agent who captures just 1% of Denton's annual transactions (38 deals) at the median commission rate would earn approximately $340,860 in gross commissions — a figure achievable within 2-3 years of consistent farming.
| Farming Investment Level | Monthly Cost | Est. Annual Transactions | Annual GCI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter (500 households) | $750 | 3–5 | $26,910–$44,850 |
| Growth (1,500 households) | $1,800 | 8–12 | $71,760–$107,640 |
| Dominant (3,000 households) | $3,200 | 18–25 | $161,460–$224,250 |
| Enterprise (5,000+ households) | $5,000 | 30–40 | $269,100–$358,800 |
US Tech Automations' ROI tracking dashboards allow agents to monitor cost-per-lead and cost-per-closing at each investment tier, enabling data-driven scaling decisions rather than guesswork.
Migration and Relocation Patterns
| Origin/Destination | Inbound Share | Primary Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas proper | 24.2% | Affordability/space |
| Other DFW suburbs | 18.6% | University employment |
| Out-of-state (CA, IL, NY) | 22.8% | Cost of living |
| Rural Texas | 12.4% | Urban amenities |
| International | 8.3% | University/employment |
| Within Denton | 13.7% | Upgrade/downsize |
According to U-Haul and United Van Lines migration reports, Denton consistently ranks among the top net-inbound destinations in the DFW Metroplex. The combination of relative affordability, university employment, and quality of life draws households from both higher-cost DFW suburbs and out-of-state origins.
Where are Denton's new residents coming from? According to Census migration flow data, nearly a quarter of Denton's new residents relocate from Dallas proper, seeking more space and lower price points while maintaining employment access via I-35E. Out-of-state migration, particularly from California and Illinois, represents another significant pipeline.
Denton's Employment Base and Commute Patterns
Denton's economy extends well beyond its university anchors, with diversifying employment sectors that strengthen housing demand.
| Employer/Sector | Estimated Employees | Impact on Housing |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Texas | 6,200 | Faculty/staff housing demand |
| Texas Woman's University | 2,800 | Campus-adjacent demand |
| Denton ISD | 4,100 | Family neighborhood demand |
| Peterbilt Motors | 2,500 | Blue-collar housing demand |
| Sally Beauty Holdings | 1,200 | Corporate professional demand |
| Healthcare Sector (combined) | 5,400 | Stable middle-income demand |
| City/County Government | 3,100 | Stable income housing demand |
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, Denton's unemployment rate of 3.1% falls below both the state and national averages, indicating a healthy employment base. The presence of Peterbilt Motors and Sally Beauty Holdings headquarters adds corporate employment diversity beyond the education sector.
What is Denton's commute profile?
| Commute Destination | Share of Workers | Avg. Commute Time |
|---|---|---|
| Work in Denton | 38.4% | 14 minutes |
| Commute to Dallas | 22.1% | 48 minutes |
| Commute to Fort Worth | 8.6% | 52 minutes |
| Commute to other DFW cities | 24.3% | 35 minutes |
| Remote/Hybrid | 6.6% | N/A |
According to Census commute data, 38.4% of Denton workers are employed locally — one of the highest local employment rates in the DFW Metroplex. This local employment base creates stable housing demand less vulnerable to remote-work disruption.
USTA Platform Comparison for Denton Farming
| Feature | US Tech Automations | kvCORE | BoomTown | Ylopo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic Segmentation | Advanced (Census-level) | Basic filters | Basic filters | Moderate |
| University Pipeline Targeting | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bilingual Campaign Automation | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Farming-Specific ROI Tracking | Yes | Generic CRM | Generic CRM | Ad-focused |
| Multi-Zone Campaign Management | Unlimited zones | 3 zones | 5 zones | Ad sets only |
| Cost per Month (Farming Focus) | $149–$399 | $499+ | $750+ | $395+ |
According to industry comparison data, US Tech Automations provides the most comprehensive farming-specific toolset at the most accessible price point, with unique capabilities for university-market and multilingual farming that competitors lack entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Denton TX in 2026?
According to North Texas Real Estate Information Systems (NTREIS) data, the median home price in Denton is approximately $345,000, with significant variation from $225,000 in university-adjacent areas to over $510,000 in master-planned western communities.
How many real estate transactions occur in Denton annually?
According to MLS data, Denton averages approximately 3,800 residential transactions per year, including both new construction and resale properties across all housing types.
What percentage of Denton residents are renters vs homeowners?
According to Census Bureau data, approximately 55.8% of Denton households are renters and 44.2% are homeowners, with the high rental rate reflecting the large student population from UNT and TWU.
Which Denton neighborhoods have the highest turnover rates?
According to local MLS data, the university-adjacent neighborhoods around Fry Street and Oak-Hickory see the highest turnover due to investor-owned rentals, while Robson Ranch and North Lakes have the lowest turnover among owner-occupied properties.
How does Denton's growth rate compare to other DFW cities?
According to Census estimates, Denton's 3.2% compound annual growth rate ranks among the top 15 in Texas, comparable to Frisco and McKinney but sustained over a longer period due to Denton's larger base population.
What is the average days on market for homes in Denton?
According to NTREIS data, the average days on market for Denton homes is approximately 31 days, ranging from 18 days for investor-grade properties to 42 days for higher-priced listings above $450,000.
How competitive is real estate farming in Denton?
According to Texas Real Estate Commission licensing data, approximately 1,400 agents hold active licenses in the Denton market, but only 320 consistently close more than 6 transactions annually, indicating substantial opportunity for committed farming agents.
What demographic trends should Denton agents watch?
According to population projections from the Texas Demographic Center, Denton County is projected to exceed 1.3 million residents by 2030, with the city of Denton absorbing significant growth through annexation and new development in western corridors.
Is Denton affordable compared to other DFW suburbs?
According to HAR and NTREIS data, Denton's median home price of $345,000 sits approximately 13% below the DFW metro average of $395,000, while offering comparable school quality and superior local employment opportunities.
How can agents automate their Denton farming campaigns?
According to farming ROI studies, agents using US Tech Automations to automate demographic targeting, drip campaigns, and multilingual outreach in Denton achieve 40% higher engagement rates compared to manual farming methods, while reducing time investment by an estimated 15 hours per week.
Conclusion: Farming Denton's Diverse Demographics
Denton's unique combination of university-driven population renewal, diversifying employment, and relative affordability creates one of the most compelling farming opportunities in the DFW Metroplex. Agents who invest in demographic understanding and zone-specific targeting will capture disproportionate market share in this growing city.
The key to success lies in treating Denton as six distinct micro-markets rather than one homogeneous farm. From student-investor plays near campus to family-focused strategies in North Lakes, each zone demands tailored messaging and timing.
US Tech Automations provides the demographic segmentation, multilingual automation, and ROI tracking infrastructure that Denton's complex market demands. Start building your data-driven Denton farming strategy today.
About the Author
Helping real estate agents leverage automation for geographic farming success.
