Town in Fannin County
Living in Leonard, TX
447th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 40 of 100
We give Leonard a C-. It ranks 447th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on education levels and getting around.
- Low crime
- Jobs and income scores low (16 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (15 of 100)
- Population
- 2,212+8.7% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,22713% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $161,10043% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $54,717Median
- Average commute
- 40 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 45Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Leonard
Leonard is a town in Fannin County. 2,212 people lived here in 2025, up 8.7% from 2020. It is spread out.
Local spots people know include Leonard City Park and Leonard Public Library.
The median age is 38.2, 43% of households have children, 66% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $54,717 a year (30% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Leonard
- Strong public schools. 100% of the 4 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
- Low violent crime. 45 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 88% lower than the Texas rate.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,227, 13% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Leonard
- Higher unemployment. 7.3% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 40 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Who Leonard suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 88% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 80% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 30% lower than the Texas median, with 12 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 4% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 14% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 88% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 64% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 88% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,227 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 24% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,227 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 28% for people on a budget.
Leonard report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Leonard with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Cost of living: grade C
Median rent $1,227, homes cost 2.9x income.
41 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade D
Median household income $54,717, 7.3% unemployed.
17 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade B+
4 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
73 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade A-
45 violent crimes per 100k, 0 property crimes per 100k.
87 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: no grade
2 grocery stores, 12 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.
No score vs TX townsGetting around: grade D-
Average commute 40 min, 11% work from home.
15 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade F
8.0% have a bachelor’s degree.
5 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D
14% of adults uninsured.
22 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade C-
66% of homes owner-occupied.
34 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade C-
88% of homes have broadband.
36 of 100 vs US towns
Where Leonard stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Home value to income: 2.9x19% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 14%5 points lower than Texas (20%)
- Median rent: $1,22713% lower than Texas ($1,403)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.0%26 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Average commute: 40 min50% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Median household income: $54,71730% lower than Texas ($78,476)
Cost of living in Leonard
Leonard renters pay a median of $1,227 a month, 13% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $49,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 47% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $836 for a one-bedroom, $1,093 for a two-bedroom and $1,511 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 $161,100, 43% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $882 before tax, or $1,033 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.
Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Leonard pays $1,813 a year, 57% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent13% lower than Texas | $1,227 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value43% lower than Texas | $161,100 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income19% lower than Texas | 2.9x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent4 points lower than Texas | 47% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year57% lower than Texas | $1,813 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them3 points higher than Texas | 66% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1972 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $882
- Property tax
- $151
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,227
Based on a $161,100 home in Leonard, 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 Leonard safe?
In 2025, Leonard Police Department reported 1 violent crimes and 0 property crimes. That works out to 45 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 0 property crimes per 100,000, 100% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 77% 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, Leonard Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Leonard
Leonard has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Leonard ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Leonard High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 85 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
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
- ALeonard High SchoolHigh, Leonard ISD90 of 100
- BLeonard ElementaryElementary, Leonard ISD84 of 100
- BLeonard Junior HighMiddle, Leonard ISD84 of 100
- BLeonard IntermediateElementary, Leonard ISD83 of 100
Daily life in Leonard
Everyday places mapped inside Leonard, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Leonard City Park, Leonard Public Library.
The average one-way commute is 40 minutes, 50% longer than the Texas average. 11% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Bonham is about 15 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Leonard work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $54,717, income per person is $24,499, unemployment is 7.3% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income30% lower than Texas | $54,717 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person40% lower than Texas | $24,499 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas | 7.3% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line5 points higher than Texas | 18% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher26 points lower than Texas | 8.0% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher6 points lower than Texas | 80% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas | 14% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet4 points lower than Texas | 88% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute50% higher than Texas | 40 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home3 points lower than Texas | 11% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Leonard
Median age 38.2 years. 43% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Leonard
Leonard has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 33°F. There are about 78 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 46 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Bonham 3nne, 18 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
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 Leonard
Nearby, Blue Ridge gets a D, Celeste gets a D- and Whitewright gets a C. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- DBlue RidgeTown, 1,104 people7 mi
- D-CelesteTown, 1,019 people9 mi
- CWhitewrightTown, 1,659 people10 mi
- C-Wolfe CityTown, 1,148 people13 mi
- DBonhamSmall city, 10,697 people14 mi
- BSavoyTown, 1,010 people14 mi
Living in Leonard: common questions
Is Leonard, TX a good place to live?
We give Leonard a C-. It ranks 447th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on education levels and getting around.
How much does it cost to live in Leonard?
Renters in Leonard pay a median of $1,227 a month, 13% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $161,100, 43% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.9x 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 $1,033, including property tax.
Is Leonard safe?
In 2025, Leonard Police Department reported 45 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 0 per 100,000, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Leonard?
We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Leonard. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 73 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
What is the weather like in Leonard?
Summers in Leonard peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 33°F. Expect around 78 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 46 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Leonard?
The average one-way commute is 40 min, 50% higher than the Texas average. About 11% of workers work from home. It is about 15 miles from downtown Bonham.
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.