This Texas City Is Seeing a Surge in Residents and Retail—Doubling Its Population in a Decade

The spotlight is shining on a Texas city, right outside of Dallas, which is experiencing rapid growth.

Forney, TX, is seeing a population shift, and just like its neighbors Plano and Arlington—both of which have seen tremendous growth—it's bracing for the same.

U.S. Census Bureau estimates show that Forney’s population has more than doubled in the past decade, climbing to over 40,000 residents.

"Forney is a well-located, fast-growing suburb about 20 miles east of downtown Dallas," says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®. "Its relative affordability continues to attract households seeking convenient access to the Dallas job market without the higher price tag of closer-in neighborhoods."

Construction has been booming with major retailers moving in. Home Depot opened a new store there at the end of 2025—just one of several big-name additions.

Beloved Texas grocery chain H-E-B launched its Forney store earlier this month.

Target is slated to arrive this year, joining an upcoming BJ’s Wholesale Club as well as retailers such as Five Below and Burlington.

The January median listing price in Forney was $335,000, compared to $405,000 in Dallas-Fort Worth—representing a $70,000 savings.

The housing market in Forney

"The area has experienced steady residential development in recent years, positioning it as one of the more rapidly expanding communities in the eastern Dallas-Fort Worth corridor," says Jones.

"Forney’s really been gaining momentum lately, and it’s not hard to see why," real estate agent Evan Downey, of eXp Realty in Dallas, tells Realtor.com. "It’s one of the few areas on the Dallas side where buyers can still get a newer home at a more approachable price point. There’s plenty of land left to build on, so you’re seeing a lot of new communities, newer schools, and updated infrastructure going in."

He says that’s pulling in a lot of first-time buyers, young families, and folks who feel priced out of places like Plano, Frisco, or even parts of Rockwall, now.

Downey says, "Forney feels like it’s right in that phase where it’s shifting from up-and-coming to more established."

Retail boom helps the real estate market

"Big-box retailers typically target markets that are already experiencing population growth and are projected to continue expanding," says Jones.

Downey agrees, noting that the city’s retail momentum is a positive indicator for Forney’s real estate sector.

"When you start seeing names like Target, Home Depot, H-E-B, and similar stores move in, that’s usually a sign the area’s population has hit the level where major companies feel confident investing long term," says Downey. "It makes daily life easier for residents, but it also tends to boost buyer confidence and help support home values over time."

As additional retail, schools, and infrastructure follow, prices typically rise, he adds.

“For now, though, it’s still positioned as a value play compared with more established suburbs.”

Commute can be a trade-off

According to Downey, Forney is one of the few areas that still offers a mix of affordability and new development within commuting distance of Dallas.

That said, he notes the drive isn’t always seamless.

"It’s not terribly far from Dallas mileage-wise, but US-80 can get backed up, so travel times can be less predictable than in suburbs with more highway access," he explains. "But a lot of people are willing to make that trade-off to get a newer house, more space, and a lower price point, especially if they think the area’s going to keep appreciating as growth continues."

Homes in Forney typically sell for the mid-$100s per square foot, depending on the neighborhood and whether the property is new construction or resale, Downey says.

"When you compare that to places like Plano, Frisco, or McKinney, where you’re often closer to $190 to $210 per square foot, you can see why buyers are heading east," he says. "You’re usually getting more space and a newer home for noticeably less money."