Neighborhood in Mesquite, Dallas County

Living in Central Mesquite, Mesquite

D+

3rd of 8areas in Mesquite
Overall score 30 of 100 vs Texas neighborhoods
Mesquite overall: D-

Central Mesquite covers part of Mesquite, TX, home to about 28,900 people. It gets a D+, in the bottom third of Texas neighborhoods, and ranks 3rd of 8 areas we score in Mesquite. It does best on home ownership and worst on health.

  • Lots of parks
  • Health scores low (19 of 100)
  • Heat wave risk is very high

Closest everyday places

Grocery store0.7 mi
Pharmacy0.5 mi
Park0.3 mi
Cafe0.7 mi
Restaurant0.4 mi
Gym0.5 mi
Hospital or urgent care0.8 mi
Childcare0.5 mi
Library0.8 mi

Straight-line distance from the middle of where people live. Overture Maps.

Population
28,920
Median rent
$1,860
Median home value
$253,000
Household income
$85,000
Average commute
32 min
Homes owned
80%
Loading map

What it's like to live in Central Mesquite

Central Mesquite is an area in Mesquite with about 28,900 residents, homes built around 1982, mostly owner-occupied (80%) and 34% of households with children.

Our grade for Central Mesquite is D+. That puts it 3rd of 8 areas we grade in Mesquite, a city that gets a D- overall.

Pros of living in Central Mesquite

  • Groceries close by. The nearest grocery store is about 0.7 miles from the middle of the neighborhood.
  • Parks within walking distance. The closest park is about 0.3 miles away.

Cons of living in Central Mesquite

  • Pricier rent than the city. Median rent is $1,860, 23% higher than the Mesquite median.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of heat waves and hail as very high in this part of town.

Central Mesquite report card

Each grade compares Central Mesquite with every neighborhood in Texas. Safety is not graded for single neighborhoods because police report crime for the whole city.

  • Cost of living: grade C

    Median rent $1,860, homes cost 3.0x income.

    44 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $85,000, 5.2% unemployed.

    39 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Schools: grade C

    Nearby schools average 79 of 100 on the state rating.

    42 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Safety: no grade

    Citywide, 453 violent crimes per 100k, 2,231 property crimes per 100k.

    No score vs TX areas

  • Errands and things to do: grade B-

    Most everyday stores and services within a mile of homes.

    57 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Getting around: grade D+

    Average commute 32 min, 10% work from home.

    26 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Education levels: grade D

    20% have a bachelor’s degree.

    24 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Health: grade D

    20% of adults uninsured.

    19 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Home ownership: grade B

    80% of homes owner-occupied.

    68 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Internet access: grade C-

    91% of homes have broadband.

    40 of 100 vs TX areas

Central Mesquite compared with Mesquite

Better than Mesquite

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 80%18 points higher than Mesquite (63%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 51%9 points lower than Mesquite (61%)
  • Median household income: $85,00017% higher than Mesquite ($72,537)

Worse than Mesquite

  • Median rent: $1,86023% higher than Mesquite ($1,513)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 91%3 points lower than Mesquite (94%)

Closest public schools

Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings. Check the attendance zone for any address with the district.

  • BRutherford ElementaryElementary, Mesquite ISD0.3 mi
  • CBerry MiddleMiddle, Mesquite ISD0.9 mi
  • CHorn High SchoolHigh, Mesquite ISD1.6 mi

Cost of living in Central Mesquite

Median rent in Central Mesquite is $1,860 a month, 23% higher than the Mesquite median. A household would need about $74,000 a year to keep that rent at 30% of income.

The median home is worth $253,000, about the same as the Mesquite median, which means a monthly payment of about $1,702 with property tax at today's mortgage rates.

MeasureHereMesquiteTexas
Median rent23% higher than Mesquite$1,860$1,513$1,403
Median home valueAbout the same as Mesquite$253,000$245,700$283,800
Home value to income12% lower than Mesquite3.0x3.4x3.6x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent9 points lower than Mesquite51%61%52%
Homes owned by the people living in them18 points higher than Mesquite80%63%63%
Vacant homes3 points lower than Mesquite4.2%7.0%9.4%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Mesquite198219831992

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,702
Mortgage payment
$1,385
Property tax
$317
Median rent, for comparison
$1,860

Based on a $253,000 home in Central Mesquite, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median for the surrounding Census tract, or the county where that is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Work, income and getting around

MeasureHereMesquiteTexas
Median household income17% higher than Mesquite$85,000$72,537$78,476
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Mesquite5.2%5.4%5.3%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Mesquite13%13%14%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higherAbout the same as Mesquite20%20%34%
Average commuteAbout the same as Mesquite32 min32 min27 min
Workers who work from homeAbout the same as Mesquite10%10.0%14%
Workers who walk, bike or take transitAbout the same as Mesquite1.8%1.5%2.6%
Homes with broadband internet3 points lower than Mesquite91%94%91%

Natural hazard risk

FEMA National Risk Index for the Census tracts in this area.

  • River floodingLow
  • HurricanesLow
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresModerate
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windLow

Who lives in Central Mesquite

Under 1823%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6438%
65 and over15%
Race and ethnicity
White30%
Hispanic or Latino41%
Black21%
Asian3.4%
Other or more than one race4.7%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Other neighborhoods in Mesquite

  1. 1C-South MesquiteMedian rent $1,770
  2. 2C-North MesquiteMedian rent $1,600
  3. 4DEast MesquiteMedian rent $2,470
  4. 5DNorthwest MesquiteMedian rent $1,440
  5. 6D-West MesquiteMedian rent $1,830
  6. 7D-Southeast MesquiteMedian rent $2,480
  7. 8FSouthwest MesquiteMedian rent $1,510

Similar neighborhoods in other cities

Areas elsewhere in Texas with the closest mix of grades.

  1. D+South GarlandGarland
  2. DSouth IrvingIrving
  3. CCrestmont PlaceMissouri City

Questions about Central Mesquite

Is Central Mesquite a good place to live?

Central Mesquite covers part of Mesquite, TX, home to about 28,900 people. It gets a D+, in the bottom third of Texas neighborhoods, and ranks 3rd of 8 areas we score in Mesquite. It does best on home ownership and worst on health.

How much does it cost to live in Central Mesquite?

Renters in Central Mesquite pay a median of $1,860 a month, 23% higher than the Mesquite median. The median home is worth $253,000, about the same as the Mesquite median. A median home costs 3.0x the median household income, compared with 3.4x across Mesquite.

What schools serve Central Mesquite?

The closest rated public schools are Rutherford Elementary (elementary, rated B), Berry Middle (middle, rated C) and Horn High School (high, rated C). School zones can differ from the closest school, so check with the district.

This area groups 18 Census block groups in this part of Mesquite that have no neighborhood name on the map. Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency, FEMA National Risk Index, Overture Maps. How we grade.