Small city in Dallas County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro
Living in Glenn Heights, TX
175th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 9 of 100
168th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
Glenn Heights gets an overall grade of D- and ranks 175th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on home ownership and internet access, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.
- Fast-growing
- Errands and things to do scores low (8 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (1 of 100)
- Population
- 20,327+28.2% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,67519% higher than Texas
- Median home value
- $309,6009% higher than Texas
- Household income
- $81,718Median
- Average commute
- 33 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 221Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Glenn Heights
Glenn Heights sits about 18 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 20,327 people lived here in 2025, up 28.2% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is suburban, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2004).
The median age is 33.8, 40% of households have children, 78% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $81,718 a year (4% higher than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Glenn Heights
- Low violent crime. 221 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 43% lower than the Texas rate.
- Growing fast. The population grew 28% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.
Cons of living in Glenn Heights
- Weaker school ratings. Only 25% of the 4 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
- Higher rent. Median rent is $1,675, 19% higher than the Texas median.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 33 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
- Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, heat waves and hail as very high here.
Who Glenn Heights suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 25% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 43% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 30% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 4% higher than the Texas median, with 13 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 1% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 16% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 43% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 94% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,675 is 19% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 14% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,675 is 19% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 4% for people on a budget.
Glenn Heights report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Glenn Heights with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Cost of living: grade D
Median rent $1,675, homes cost 3.8x income.
22 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade C-
Median household income $81,718, 5.3% unemployed.
38 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade D
4 rated campuses, 25% rated A or B.
22 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: grade C+
221 violent crimes per 100k, 741 property crimes per 100k.
56 of 100 vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade F
2 grocery stores, 13 restaurants, 10 parks mapped in town.
8 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade F
Average commute 33 min, 14% work from home.
1 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade D
27% have a bachelor’s degree.
24 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade D
16% of adults uninsured.
17 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade A
78% of homes owner-occupied.
90 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade B-
94% of homes have broadband.
61 of 100 vs US cities
Where Glenn Heights stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 78%16 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Vacant homes: 2.0%7 points lower than Texas (9.4%)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 16%3 points lower than Texas (20%)
Worse than Texas
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 71%19 points higher than Texas (52%)
- Average commute: 33 min25% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Median rent: $1,67519% higher than Texas ($1,403)
Cost of living in Glenn Heights
Glenn Heights renters pay a median of $1,675 a month, 19% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $67,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 71% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,536 for a one-bedroom, $1,807 for a two-bedroom and $2,275 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.
The median home is worth $309,600, 9% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,695 before tax, or $2,085 with property tax. That is $410 a month more than the median rent, a gap that can be worth it if you plan to stay a while.
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Glenn Heights pays $4,680 a year, 11% higher than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
See the full cost of living breakdown for Glenn Heights
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent19% higher than Texas | $1,675 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value9% higher than Texas | $309,600 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income5% higher than Texas | 3.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent19 points higher than Texas | 71% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year11% higher than Texas | $4,680 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them16 points higher than Texas | 78% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 2004 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,695
- Property tax
- $390
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,675
Based on a $309,600 home in Glenn Heights, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.
Is Glenn Heights safe?
In 2025, Glenn Heights Police Department reported 46 violent crimes and 154 property crimes. That works out to 221 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 43% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 741 property crimes per 100,000, 64% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 41% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Glenn Heights Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Glenn Heights
Glenn Heights has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 25% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Red Oak ISD and Desoto ISD.
Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.
Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.
Top-rated schools
- BShields ElementaryElementary, Red Oak ISD85 of 100
- CCurtistene S McCowan MiddleMiddle, Desoto ISD74 of 100
- CRussell P Schupmann ElementaryElementary, Red Oak ISD74 of 100
- DFrank D Moates ElementaryElementary, Desoto ISD67 of 100
Daily life in Glenn Heights
Everyday places mapped inside Glenn Heights, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Glenn Heights City Park.
The average one-way commute is 33 minutes, 25% longer than the Texas average. 14% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Dallas is about 18 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Glenn Heights work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $81,718, income per person is $31,569, unemployment is 5.3% and 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income4% higher than Texas | $81,718 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person23% lower than Texas | $31,569 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 5.3% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas | 13% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher7 points lower than Texas | 27% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas | 84% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points lower than Texas | 16% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet2 points higher than Texas | 94% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute25% higher than Texas | 33 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from homeAbout the same as Texas | 14% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Glenn Heights
Median age 33.8 years. 40% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Glenn Heights
Glenn Heights has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 96 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 41 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Waxahachie, 8 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.
- River floodingHigh
- HurricanesLow
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresVery high
- Winter stormsHigh
- Strong windModerate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.
Places near Glenn Heights
Nearby, Ovilla gets an A-, Oak Leaf gets an A+ and DeSoto gets a D. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
Glenn Heights in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.
- 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
- 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
- 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
- 165D-Everman6,106 people32 mito downtown
- 166D-Mesquite149,299 people11 mito downtown
- 167D-Lake Worth4,829 people39 mito downtown
- 168D-Glenn Heights18,096 people18 mito downtown
- 169D-The Homesteads3,053 people32 mito downtown
- 170FPelican Bay2,399 people45 mito downtown
- 171FBalch Springs27,255 people10 mito downtown
Living in Glenn Heights: common questions
Is Glenn Heights, TX a good place to live?
Glenn Heights gets an overall grade of D- and ranks 175th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on home ownership and internet access, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.
How much does it cost to live in Glenn Heights?
Renters in Glenn Heights pay a median of $1,675 a month, 19% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $309,600, 9% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $2,085, including property tax.
Is Glenn Heights safe?
In 2025, Glenn Heights Police Department reported 221 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 43% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 741 per 100,000, 64% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Glenn Heights?
We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Glenn Heights. 25% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 22 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Does Glenn Heights flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Glenn Heights as high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires and winter storms. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Glenn Heights?
Summers in Glenn Heights peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 96 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 41 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Glenn Heights?
The average one-way commute is 33 min, 25% higher than the Texas average. About 14% of workers work from home. It is about 18 miles from downtown Dallas.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.