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Ranch land with a red barn near Whitesboro, Texas

Community guide · Grayson County

Living in Whitesboro, TX

A small western Grayson County town where US-82 meets US-377 — room to spread out, a hometown downtown and Sherman about 25 minutes east.

Population
4,1882025 Census estimate · 2020: 4,074
County
GraysonWestern Grayson County
School district
Whitesboro ISD2026 TEA rating: C
Downtown Dallas
~81 miabout 92 min, no traffic
Property tax
≈ 2.17%tax year 2025, in city limits
Highways
US-82 · US-377Sherman about 25 min

Whitesboro, Texas

Is Whitesboro, TX a good place to live?

Yes — living in Whitesboro, TX works well if you want land, a slower pace and a small-town school district, and you don’t need to be in Dallas every day. You get room for animals, a shop or a big garden; the trade-off is distance, with downtown Dallas about an hour and a half away.

Whitesboro is one of the older towns in Grayson County. Ambrose B. White settled here in 1848, his inn served as a Butterfield Overland Mail station from 1858 to 1861, and the town incorporated in 1873. Growth has been gentle: the Census Bureau estimates 4,188 residents in 2025, compared with 4,074 in the 2020 Census. That stability is part of the appeal for many of my buyers.

Location is the other draw. US-82 runs 17 miles east to Sherman and 13 miles west to Gainesville, and US-377 runs north to the Oklahoma line and south to Denton. That makes Whitesboro a practical base for anyone working in Sherman, Gainesville or Denton who would rather come home to acreage. If you’re searching for land for sale or horse property in North Texas, I’d put the countryside around Whitesboro on your list — and I’ll help you sort out water, septic and ag valuation before you fall in love with a tract.

The honest version

Pros and cons of living in Whitesboro

Every town has trade-offs. Here’s what I tell my own clients before they buy.

Pros

  • Room to spread outAcreage, horse property and raw land are the heart of the Whitesboro market, with many options outside city limits.
  • Two US highwaysUS-82 and US-377 cross here, so Sherman, Gainesville and Denton are all direct drives.
  • Slightly lower in-city taxesAbout 2.17% in city limits for 2025, a little under Sherman and well under Denison.
  • Small district, new facilitiesWhitesboro ISD has about 1,761 students, and its 2024 bond is adding an ag sciences facility and a multipurpose building.
  • City-run utilitiesIn town, the City of Whitesboro provides both electric and water service.

Cons

  • Long drive to DallasDowntown Dallas is about 92 minutes with no traffic — the longest commute of the towns I cover.
  • Fewer homes for saleWith about 4,200 residents and slow growth, in-town listings come up less often than in Sherman.
  • Rating dippedWhitesboro ISD moved from a B in 2025 to a C in 2026.
  • Shopping is a drive awayFor larger stores and services, most residents head to Sherman or Gainesville.
  • Land takes homeworkWells, septic, easements and ag valuation all need checking before you buy rural property.

For sale now

Whitesboro, TX homes for sale & home prices

Whitesboro’s market is mostly resale homes in town plus country homes, acreage and raw land outside city limits. Land, water and outbuildings drive value as much as the house, so I look at every property on its own merits.

Search all Whitesboro homes

Featured listings in and around Whitesboro

The kinds of homes you’ll find in Whitesboro

In-town homes

Older and mid-century homes on the streets around downtown Whitesboro, inside city limits with city water and electric. A good fit if you want small-town convenience without the upkeep of land.

Country homes on acreage

Homes on a few acres along the county roads around town, often with a barn, shop or pond. Septic, well or water supply corporation service and fencing are the details to check.

Horse and livestock property

Larger tracts suited to horses or cattle. Pasture condition, fencing, barns, water for animals and agricultural valuation all affect the price and your tax bill.

Raw land and homesites

Unimproved land for building later. Before you buy, confirm road access, utilities, easements, floodplain and any deed restrictions on what you can build.

Be the first to know

Get new Whitesboro listings before everyone else

I’ll send new listings, price drops and my Coming Soon homes in Whitesboro — with my honest notes on each one.

Goes straight to Shayla — not a call center. I usually reply within the hour.

Land

Land, acreage and horse property for sale near Whitesboro, TX

Gravel ranch drive past pipe-fenced pastures, a round pen, a hay barn and grazing cattle in North Texas

Most of my Whitesboro clients are shopping for land — a few acres for a horse or two, a homesite with a shop, or a larger tract they can run cattle on. The country around Whitesboro gives you that space while keeping Sherman, Gainesville and Denton within reach on US-82 and US-377.

Buying land is different from buying a house in town. The utilities, the access and the tax status can change the real cost of a property more than the list price does. Here’s the checklist I work through on every acreage listing before you make an offer.

What I check on land and acreage

  • Water: city, water supply corporation or a private well
  • Septic system condition, or whether the soil will support a new one
  • Agricultural (open-space) valuation and possible rollback taxes
  • Floodplain and how the land drains after heavy rain
  • Easements, pipelines and road frontage
  • Fencing, barns and whether the land is set up for animals
  • Which school district the address is zoned to

Cost of living

Cost of living in Whitesboro, TX

Property tax is the biggest ongoing housing cost in Texas, and Whitesboro’s in-city rate is a little lower than Sherman’s and Denison’s. For tax year 2025, the combined rate inside city limits was about $2.17 per $100 of value, compared with about $2.19 in Sherman and $2.32 in Denison. Homes outside city limits skip the city rate entirely.

The City of Whitesboro also runs its own electric and water utilities for customers in town, so your utility account is with the city rather than a large provider. Out in the country, plan on a co-op or other electric provider and either a water supply corporation or a well.

Town (in city limits) County + college City School district Combined
Whitesboro 0.45108 0.5858 1.1312 (Whitesboro ISD) ≈ 2.168
Sherman 0.45108 0.508 1.2342 (Sherman ISD) ≈ 2.193
Denison 0.45108 0.712034 1.155 (Denison ISD) ≈ 2.318

Tax year 2025 adopted rates per $100 of value, from the Grayson Central Appraisal District. County + college = Grayson County 0.3051 plus Grayson College 0.14598.

Where to live

Best neighborhoods in Whitesboro

Whitesboro is small enough that buyers choose by setting more than by subdivision — here are the main options, described honestly.

In town · Established

Downtown Whitesboro and nearby streets

Homes on the streets around Main Street and City Hall, inside city limits with city water and electric. Close to the library, community center and schools.

Whitesboro ISD

Acreage · Outside city limits

Acreage along US-377 north

Country homes and land north of town on US-377, the road toward Lake Texoma and the Oklahoma line. Good for buyers who want space and an easy highway connection.

Confirm by address

Acreage · Rural

Land along US-377 south

Rural tracts south of town on US-377, the route toward Denton. A practical setting for horse and livestock property with a commute south.

Confirm by address

Farm & ranch · Rural

Ranch land along US-82

Larger tracts east toward Sherman and west toward Gainesville along US-82. Pasture, ponds and barns are common; agricultural valuation is often in place.

Whitesboro ISD or neighboring districts

Homesites · Country roads

Homesites off SH-56 and FM 901

Country-road homes and building sites on the smaller highways around Whitesboro. Check road access, water and septic before planning a build.

Confirm by address

Subdivision names are a starting point. Lot sizes, HOA rules and school zoning vary street by street — I’ll confirm all of it for any home you’re considering.

Cost of living

Whitesboro property taxes & cost of living

For tax year 2025, a home inside Whitesboro city limits and Whitesboro ISD paid about $2.17 per $100 of taxable value before exemptions: Grayson County, Grayson College, the City of Whitesboro and Whitesboro ISD. Outside city limits there’s no city tax, and land under agricultural valuation is taxed on its productivity value instead of market value.

  • Texas school homestead exemption is $140,000, plus another $60,000 for owners 65+ or disabled ($200,000 total), since the November 2025 election. Whitesboro ISD adds $4,600 locally for over-65.
  • Grayson County gives a 20% homestead exemption; the City of Whitesboro adds a $5,000 over-65 exemption.
  • Over-65 and disabled homeowners get a school tax ceiling (freeze) once the exemption is in place.
  • Agricultural valuation can lower taxes sharply on qualifying land, but a change in use can trigger rollback taxes.

Schools

Whitesboro schools

Whitesboro ISD had 1,761 students in 2026 across four campuses: Hayes Primary, Whitesboro Intermediate, Whitesboro Middle and Whitesboro High School (about 490 students). The district received a C from the Texas Education Agency for 2026, after a B in 2025. Ratings shift year to year, so I look at the campus-level results with my clients.

Whitesboro ISD’s 2024 bond is building new facilities: a multipurpose building with an indoor turf field, weight room and basketball court, an agricultural sciences facility with an animal show arena, an early childhood center and additions at the high school. The district has posted monthly construction videos through September 2026. Some rural addresses around town are in neighboring districts, so confirm the district for any property.

Getting around

Commute from Whitesboro: drive times & highways

Whitesboro sits on US-82 (east to Sherman, west to Gainesville) and US-377 (north to Oklahoma, south to Denton), with SH-56 and FM 901 serving the surrounding countryside.

Downtown Sherman

25 min≈ 18 mi

via US-82 E

Downtown Denison

35 min≈ 26 mi

via US-82 E

Downtown McKinney

60 min≈ 49 mi

via US-82 E & US-75 S

Downtown Dallas

90 min≈ 81 mi

via US-82 E & US-75 S

DFW Airport

90 min≈ 73 mi

via US-377 S

Legacy West (Plano)

70 min≈ 49 mi

south on country highways

Lake Texoma (Eisenhower SP)

40 min≈ 30 mi

east, then north

Typical drive times without heavy traffic. Rush hour on US-75 and the Tollway can add 15–30 minutes.

Road projects to know about

  • If you commute through Sherman, note that US-75 is being widened to six lanes from the Collin County line to FM 902 (TxDOT, July 2026).
  • The US-75 frontage road between Loy Lake Rd in Sherman and FM 691 is closed from March 30, 2026 to February 2027.

Local favorites

Things to do in Whitesboro

Whitesboro is quiet by design, with Sherman, Denison and Lake Texoma close enough for a day out.

Downtown Whitesboro

The small downtown around Main Street and City Hall is the center of town life. The Whitesboro News-Record covers local news for western Grayson County.

Jimmie O. Rector Community Center

The city’s community center, home to the public pool and a hub for Whitesboro Parks and Recreation programs.

Youth sports and city parks

Whitesboro Parks and Recreation runs youth sports leagues and programs and maintains several city parks around town.

Whitesboro Public Library

The city-run library is a quiet local resource for books, programs and internet access.

Butterfield Overland Mail history

From 1858 to 1861, Ambrose White’s Westview Inn served as the stagecoach line’s “Diamond Station” — a piece of history that predates the town’s 1873 incorporation.

Eisenhower State Park

About 40 minutes away on Lake Texoma: bluff-top trails, a swim cove, fishing piers, a boat ramp and camping.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

On Lake Texoma, with more than 9 miles of trails, a Wildlife Drive and weekend tram tours for birdwatching.

Before you move

Moving to Whitesboro, TX: what to know

Utilities work a little differently in Whitesboro than in bigger towns, so here’s what to set up.

Water & sewer
Inside city limits, the City of Whitesboro provides water and publishes an annual water quality report. Outside town, expect a water supply corporation or a private well plus a septic system.
Electric
The City of Whitesboro runs its own electric utility for customers in town, so you set up power with the city. It recently issued billing corrections and credits, so review your first statements. Rural homes may be served by a cooperative such as Grayson-Collin Electric.
Trash & recycling
Service varies by address. In town, ask about trash when you open your utility account with the city; rural properties usually arrange a private hauler.
Internet
Grayson Collin Communications offers fiber internet in parts of Grayson County. Rural coverage varies a lot, so I check availability for the exact address before you buy.
City limits vs ETJ
The city’s rate (0.5858 per $100 in 2025) applies only inside city limits. The city’s Whitesboro 2045 Comprehensive Plan is worth a look if you’re buying land near the edge of town.
Getting your homestead exemption
Once you own and live in the home, file for your homestead exemption with the Grayson Central Appraisal District. If the land is in agricultural use, ask me about keeping the ag valuation in place too.
Local tip
Pick up the Whitesboro News-Record — it’s the local paper for western Grayson County and the easiest way to keep up with city and school news.

FAQ

Whitesboro FAQ

Quick answers to the questions I hear most from people moving to Whitesboro.

Is Whitesboro, TX a good place to live?

Whitesboro is a good fit if you want acreage, horse property or a quiet small town with its own school district, and you can live with a long drive to Dallas. Sherman is about 25 minutes east and Gainesville about 13 miles west. The town has grown slowly, from 4,074 in 2020 to an estimated 4,188 in 2025.

What is the property tax rate in Whitesboro, TX?

For tax year 2025, the combined rate inside Whitesboro city limits and Whitesboro ISD was about $2.17 per $100 of value: Grayson County 0.3051, Grayson College 0.14598, City of Whitesboro 0.5858 and Whitesboro ISD 1.1312. Outside city limits there’s no city tax, and qualifying land can carry agricultural valuation.

What school district is Whitesboro in?

The town is served by Whitesboro ISD, with 1,761 students in 2026 across Hayes Primary, Whitesboro Intermediate, Whitesboro Middle and Whitesboro High School. The district’s 2026 TEA rating is a C (it was a B in 2025). Some rural addresses fall in neighboring districts, so I confirm it for every property.

How far is Whitesboro from Dallas?

Whitesboro is about 81 miles from downtown Dallas — roughly 90 minutes with no traffic. DFW Airport is about 73 miles south via US-377, McKinney about 59 minutes and downtown Sherman about 23 minutes. Most Whitesboro commuters work in Sherman, Gainesville or Denton rather than Dallas.

Is Whitesboro good for horse property?

The land around Whitesboro is one of the main reasons buyers look here, and many of my clients shop for horse or cattle property. Every tract is different, so I check fencing, barns, water for animals, pasture condition and agricultural valuation before you make an offer.

Are there homes with acreage near Whitesboro?

Yes — country homes on a few acres and larger tracts are common outside city limits, especially along US-377 and US-82. For any acreage I confirm the water source, septic, floodplain, easements, road frontage and the school district. Outside city limits there’s no city tax, and qualifying land can keep its agricultural valuation.

Who provides electricity and water in Whitesboro?

Inside city limits, the City of Whitesboro runs both the electric and water utilities. Outside town, electric service may come from a cooperative such as Grayson-Collin Electric, and water from a water supply corporation or a private well. I verify the providers for each property.

What is Whitesboro, TX known for?

Whitesboro is known for its land and its history. It was settled by Ambrose B. White in 1848, hosted a Butterfield Overland Mail station before the Civil War and incorporated in 1873. Today it’s a small Grayson County town at the crossroads of US-82 and US-377.

Ready when you are

Thinking about Whitesboro?

I’ll show you around — the neighborhoods, the schools and the places locals love — and put together homes in Whitesboro that fit your budget.