Town in Tarrant County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro
Living in Pelican Bay, TX
687th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 8 of 100
170th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
We give Pelican Bay an F. It ranks 687th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on getting around and education levels.
- Fast-growing
- Errands and things to do scores low (12 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (2 of 100)
- Population
- 2,729+28.0% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,403about the same as Texas
- Median home value
- $181,80036% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $70,789Median
- Average commute
- 36 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 281Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Pelican Bay
Pelican Bay sits about 45 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 2,729 people lived here in 2025, up 28.0% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is suburban.
The median age is 27.7, 47% of households have children, 56% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $70,789 a year (10% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Pelican Bay
- Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
- Growing fast. The population grew 28% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.
Cons of living in Pelican Bay
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 36 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 Pelican Bay suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 28% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 10% lower than the Texas median, with 0 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 4% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 15% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 28% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 9% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 94% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,403 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 42% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,403 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 32% for people on a budget.
Pelican Bay report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Pelican Bay 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 $1,403, homes cost 2.6x income.
38 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade C
Median household income $70,789, 5.9% unemployed.
42 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade C-
Not enough data.
36 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade C-
281 violent crimes per 100k, 632 property crimes per 100k.
33 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade D-
0 grocery stores, 0 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.
12 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade F
Average commute 36 min, 9.3% work from home.
2 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade F
11% have a bachelor’s degree.
5 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D
15% of adults uninsured.
20 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade C-
56% of homes owner-occupied.
37 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade B
94% of homes have broadband.
70 of 100 vs US towns
Where Pelican Bay stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Home value to income: 2.6x29% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 15%5 points lower than Texas (20%)
- People below the poverty line: 10%3 points lower than Texas (14%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11%23 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Average commute: 36 min36% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 56%7 points lower than Texas (63%)
Cost of living in Pelican Bay
Pelican Bay renters pay a median of $1,403 a month, about the same as the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $56,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 52% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,481 for a one-bedroom, $1,745 for a two-bedroom and $2,284 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 $181,800, 36% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $995 before tax, or $1,127 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 Pelican Bay pays $1,586 a year, 63% 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 rentAbout the same as Texas | $1,403 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value36% lower than Texas | $181,800 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income29% lower than Texas | 2.6x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rentAbout the same as Texas | 52% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year63% lower than Texas | $1,586 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them7 points lower than Texas | 56% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1996 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $995
- Property tax
- $132
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,403
Based on a $181,800 home in Pelican Bay, 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 Pelican Bay safe?
In 2025, Pelican Bay Police Department reported 8 violent crimes and 18 property crimes. That works out to 281 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 28% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 632 property crimes per 100,000, 70% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.
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, Pelican Bay Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Daily life in Pelican Bay
Everyday places mapped inside Pelican Bay, from Overture Maps.
The average one-way commute is 36 minutes, 36% longer than the Texas average. 9% 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 45 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Pelican Bay work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $70,789, income per person is $23,067, unemployment is 5.9% and 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income10% lower than Texas | $70,789 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person43% lower than Texas | $23,067 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 5.9% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line3 points lower than Texas | 10% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher23 points lower than Texas | 11% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher13 points lower than Texas | 73% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas | 15% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet2 points higher than Texas | 94% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute36% higher than Texas | 36 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas | 9.3% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Pelican Bay
Median age 27.7 years. 47% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Pelican Bay
Pelican Bay has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 109 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 37 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Ft Worth Nature Ctr, 6 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingModerate
- HurricanesLow
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresVery high
- Winter stormsModerate
- Strong windVery low
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 Pelican Bay
Nearby, Azle gets a D, Reno gets a C and Pecan Acres 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.
Pelican Bay 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
- 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
- 172FWilmer6,391 people14 mito downtown
- 173FQuinlan1,618 people38 mito downtown
Living in Pelican Bay: common questions
Is Pelican Bay, TX a good place to live?
We give Pelican Bay an F. It ranks 687th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on getting around and education levels.
How much does it cost to live in Pelican Bay?
Renters in Pelican Bay pay a median of $1,403 a month, about the same as the Texas median. The median home is worth $181,800, 36% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.6x 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 $1,127, including property tax.
Is Pelican Bay safe?
In 2025, Pelican Bay Police Department reported 281 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 28% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 632 per 100,000, 70% lower than the Texas rate.
Does Pelican Bay flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Pelican Bay as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Pelican Bay?
Summers in Pelican Bay peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 109 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 37 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Pelican Bay?
The average one-way commute is 36 min, 36% higher than the Texas average. About 9.3% of workers work from home. It is about 45 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.