Town in Parker County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro
Living in Western Lake, TX
557th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 25 of 100
140th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
We give Western Lake a D+. It ranks 557th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on errands and things to do and getting around.
- Jobs and income scores low (19 of 100)
- Errands and things to do scores low (3 of 100)
- Population
- 1,165
- Median rent
- No data
- Median home value
- No data
- Household income
- $34,388Median
- Average commute
- 34 minOne way
- Violent crime
- No dataNo full-year report
What it's like to live in Western Lake
Western Lake sits about 62 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. About 1,165 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.
The median age is 43.6, 18% of households have children, 100% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $34,388 a year (56% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Western Lake
No clear standouts in our data.
Cons of living in Western Lake
- Higher unemployment. 34% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 34 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 river flooding, tornadoes and heat waves as very high here.
Who Western Lake suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 76% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 56% lower than the Texas median, with 2 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 0% for young professionals.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 91% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 27% for remote workers.
Western Lake report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Western Lake 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: no grade
Not enough data.
No score vs US townsJobs and income: grade D
Median household income $34,388, 34% unemployed.
19 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade B+
Not enough data.
80 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: no grade
No full year of crime data from local police.
No score vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade F
0 grocery stores, 2 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.
3 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade F
Average commute 34 min, 0% work from home.
3 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade F
15% have a bachelor’s degree.
8 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade C-
19% of adults uninsured.
37 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade A-
100% of homes owner-occupied.
87 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade C+
91% of homes have broadband.
56 of 100 vs US towns
Where Western Lake stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 100%37 points higher than Texas (63%)
- People below the poverty line: 5.8%8 points lower than Texas (14%)
- Vacant homes: 7.4%2 points lower than Texas (9.4%)
Worse than Texas
- Unemployment rate: 34%29 points higher than Texas (5.3%)
- Median household income: $34,38856% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15%19 points lower than Texas (34%)
Cost of living in Western Lake
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.
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 Western Lake pays $199 a year, 95% 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 property tax per year95% lower than Texas | $199 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them37 points higher than Texas | 100% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1995 | 1992 | 1980 |
Daily life in Western Lake
Everyday places mapped inside Western Lake, from Overture Maps.
The average one-way commute is 34 minutes, 27% longer than the Texas average. 0% 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 62 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Western Lake work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $34,388, income per person is $25,333, unemployment is 34% and 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income56% lower than Texas | $34,388 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person38% lower than Texas | $25,333 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate29 points higher than Texas | 34% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line8 points lower than Texas | 5.8% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher19 points lower than Texas | 15% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher37 points lower than Texas | 49% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insuranceAbout the same as Texas | 19% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas | 91% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute27% higher than Texas | 34 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas | 0% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Western Lake
Median age 43.6 years. 18% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Western Lake
Western Lake has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 31°F. There are about 105 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 35 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Granbury 5n, 7 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is moderate, 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 floodingVery high
- HurricanesModerate
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresVery high
- Winter stormsModerate
- 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 Western Lake
Nearby, Dennis gets an A-, Oak Trail Shores gets a D- and Weatherford 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.
- A-DennisTown, 1,402 people6 mi
- D-Oak Trail ShoresTown, 3,040 people9 mi
- C-WeatherfordSmall city, 35,788 people10 mi
- A+AnnettaTown, 3,264 people11 mi
- B-Hudson OaksTown, 2,586 people11 mi
- C+GranburySmall city, 12,136 people12 mi
Western Lake 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
- 137D+Chico1,512 people69 mito downtown
- 138D+Cedar Hill48,879 people18 mito downtown
- 139D+Carter1,738 people57 mito downtown
- 140D+Western Lake1,165 people62 mito downtown
- 141D+Venus6,745 people30 mito downtown
- 142D+Seagoville19,352 people16 mito downtown
- 143DDeSoto56,211 people15 mito downtown
Living in Western Lake: common questions
Is Western Lake, TX a good place to live?
We give Western Lake a D+. It ranks 557th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and schools, and trails on errands and things to do and getting around.
Does Western Lake flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Western Lake as very high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Western Lake?
Summers in Western Lake peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 31°F. Expect around 105 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 35 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Western Lake?
The average one-way commute is 34 min, 27% higher than the Texas average. About 0% of workers work from home. It is about 62 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.