Neighborhoods of Carrollton, Texas: A Local’s Guide

With a population of over 130,000, Carrollton is a thriving suburb located just north of Dallas in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Known for its excellent schools, parks, and recreation centers, Carrollton has much to offer residents and visitors alike. This guide will provide an in-depth look at the various neighborhoods and communities that make up this diverse North Texas city.

Downtown Carrollton

The heart of Carrollton is its small but vibrant downtown area. Centered along Broadway Street, downtown is home to City Hall, the library, a farmer’s market, and a variety of local shops, restaurants, and public spaces. Some of the key features of downtown Carrollton include:

City Hall and Public Library

The Carrollton City Hall and Library complex features municipal government offices as well as the 40,000 square foot Hebron & Joe J. Betts Public Library. Civic events and public meetings are frequently held downtown.

Broadway Street Shops and Restaurants

The shops and eateries lining Broadway Street give downtown Carrollton charm. Popular spots include Rex’s Seafood & Southern Cuisine, Cafe Himalaya for Nepali/Indian cuisine, Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery, and Downtown Gift & Variety shop featuring works by local artisans.

Burdsell Park

For green space, Burdsell Park has walking trails, a playground, splash pad, amphitheater space for concerts, and the historic Truett Memorial Gazebo. The Carrollton Farmer’s Market is also held here on Saturday mornings.

Historic Carrollton

North and west of downtown lies Historic Carrollton, one of the oldest parts of the city. Established in 1846 by early settlers, the neighborhood features vintage homes and buildings that give it a quaint, small-town atmosphere despite Carrollton’s large size today.

Historical Architecture

Historic Carrollton has over a dozen buildings and homes on the National Register of Historic Places, most built between 1880-1950.

Notable structures include the Carrollton Depot, the Crosby House, St. Andrew’s Church and Rectory, and numerous Craftsman and Victorian-style private residences. Self-guided walking tours are available.

Cultural Activities

The neighborhood hosts several annual cultural events centered around its historic assets, like the St. Andrew’s Quilt Show and the Crosby House Museum’s Lone Star Christmas. There is also a summer concert series held at the Carrollton Depot grounds.

Hebron Business District

Where downtown thrived in Carrollton’s early days, today the Hebron business district along Hebron Parkway is the de facto “second downtown” and one of the most vital commercial areas. Features include:

Diverse Dining Scene

Hebron Parkway has an exceptionally diverse dining scene with cuisines from all over the world. Standouts include Boba Club, Chef Chan Korean BBQ, Havana Latin Grill, Shwarmaland Mediterranean food, Mad Eats Kitchen comfort food, and more.

Boutique Shops

Trendy boutiques and shopping fill the district, mainly catering to women. Popular stops include Occasions formalwear, Seedling kids clothing, Lime Tree women’s apparel and accessories, Froggie’s 5 & 10 gift shop, and others.

Hebron Plaza

This large open-air shopping center opened in 2020 with big box stores like At Home, Kirkland’s, World Market, and others. The plaza also has ample green space for public events.

Josey Ranch

The sprawling master-planned community of Josey Ranch makes up the southern part of Carrollton down by Interstate 35E. Key features include:

Residential Neighborhoods

Josey Ranch contains over 4,000 homes in various tightly-knit subdivisions likeUTR Valley Ranch, Saddlebrook Estates, Josey Oaks and Lakes, and others. Housing rangesfrom entry-level to luxury. Most neighborhoods have pools, parks, trails, and community centers.

Retail and Entertainment

Major shopping and entertainment options are conveniently located where Josey Ranch meets I-35E. Destinations include the open-air Carrollton Town Center shops and eateries, SuperTarget, Sam’s Club, Studio Movie Grill cinema complex, golf driving range BigShots, and many chain restaurants.

Public Amenities

Civic attractions in Josey Ranch cater to families, including Josey Ranch Lake Library, Ted Polk Middle School and Josey High School’s performing arts centers, and over a dozen public parks with sports fields, pools, trails and more. The big draws are the 77-acre Josey Ranch Lake Park and Carrollton’s massive 1,065 acre Elm Fork Athletic Complex.

Blalock Lakes Neighborhood

Moving north, the community of Blalock Lakes lies along Interstate 35E near Trinity Mills Road. Highlights include:

Blalock Lakes Recreation Center

This is Carrollton’s premier rec center and aquatic facility. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, sports courts, weight rooms, cardio equipment, gymnasium, community rooms, athletic fields, and the livelyEVENTS! cafe.

Regional Employers

Several major companies in telecom, healthcare, and insurance have large regional offices nearby, making Blalock Lakes popular with professionals. Top employers include AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, and Marsh McLennan insurance brokers.

Chain Hotels and Restaurants

Given all the corporate offices, Blalock Lakes unsurprisingly has many chain hotels and eateries convenient for business travelers, including Hyatt Place, Tru by Hilton, SpringHill Suites, Chuy’s Tex-Mex, Maggiano’s Italian, Dave & Buster’s, and more.

Valley Ranch

Straddling both sides of Interstate 35E in northern Carrollton, Valley Ranch comprises several neighborhoods that share lush green spaces created by the area’s ponds, streams, and water features. Notable features include:

Golf Club Residences

Many luxury homes back up to the Championship Course at Four Seasons Golf & Sports Club Dallas, where PGA golf tournaments have been held. Nearby residents get memberships and perks.

Corporate Campuses

Valley Ranch contains the 200-acre Las Colinas Urban Center, a mini-city of offices for companies like Ericsson, Nokia, and Bank of America. There are also many tech firms in the area.

Restaurants and Nightlife

Given the proximity to offices and upscale homes, Valley Ranch offers solid nightlife options for work gatherings and date nights. Stands outs for dining and drinks range from Gloria’s Latin Cuisine to The Ranch at Las Colinas restaurant/live music venue.

Old Town Carrollton

As a transition neighborhood between Historic Carrollton and Valley Ranch, Old Town Carrollton mixes vintage early 20th century charm with newer planned developments. Interest areas include:

Furneaux Heights

This small enclave on the west side of Old Town has a village-like feel. Homes here date to 1915-40 and have classic architectural styles. There’s also a central green space called Furneaux Park.

Dense Apartment Living

Closer to I-35E, upscale apartment homes make Old Town one of Carrollton’s most population-dense sectors. Complexes like Bell Las Colinas, Avalon at Las Colinas, and Mercer Crossing attract young professionals.

Tacos and Margaritas

Given the apartment-dwelling demographic, Old Town boasts plenty of casual Tex-Mex joints and margarita bars like Mexico Lindo, El Maguey, Salsa Tex-Mex, and Mi Cocina. Nightlife is lively.

Taking a Tour

This overview just scratches the surface of Carrollton’s many wonderful neighborhoods! The best way to get to know the communities is to spend a day exploring by car or bike.

Grab some barbecue downtown for a picnic, then venture out to see scout out charming old homes, shop local boutiques, dine at an ethnic eatery or two, and discover Carrollton’s welcoming spirit.

With lovely residential areas, a thriving business climate, plentiful parks and amenities, rich cultural traditions, and an unbeatable location in the DFW Metroplex, Carrollton has something for everyone.