M cKinney, Texas is a quaint and charming city 30 miles north of Dallas. Located in the center of the Collin County, it serves as the county seat. McKinney is a world away from the bustle of the big city. From its Courthouse Square and historic homes to its museums, cultural events and championship golf courses, McKinney offers a wide variety of exciting and traditional experiences to its residents.

McKinney is situated at the top of the North Dallas Technology Corridor. As one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, McKinney is experiencing phenomenal residential and commercial growth. The current population for this blossoming city is 54,639 residents. Residents here enjoy a pristine quality of life with a median household income of $63,366 a year and affordable housing costs with the median price of a home at $148,100. There are several master-planned communities throughout the area with lush landscapes and recreational amenities.

In the late 1970's and early 1980's, McKinney's economic development strategy moved away from agriculture and concentrated on attracting new business and development to the city. In 1994 McKinney citizens approved a one-half cent increase in the local sales tax to fund economic development. The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) was formed by the City Council to facilitate business relocation and expansion efforts. McKinney has five business parks, an enterprise zone, and a local airport with a 7,000-foot runway.

The economic plan has been extremely successful. Today McKinney is home to United American Insurance, Blockbuster Entertainment's national distribution and data processing center and Raytheon's defense systems and electronics group. Encore Wire began in McKinney in 1990 in an existing 68,000 square foot facility. Having expanded four times, it has grown to 600,000 square feet of manufacturing space and over 300 employees. Manufacturers from high tech to food processing have found McKinney to be a great place to do business.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, McKinney offers a variety of attractions. The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary has over four miles of nature trails, a native plant garden, natural science exhibits and bird watching. The Collin County Youth Park and Farm Museum offers camping in addition to the Farm Museum. Towne Lake Recreation Area features a lake, trails, picnic pavilions and playgrounds. Baseball, soccer, boxing, and gymnastics are available for the sports enthusiast, whether playing or cheering.

It is tee time year round with the gorgeous weather McKinney enjoys. WestRidge Golf Course is one of the finest courses throughout the entire Dallas region. It is the only course in Texas with six par 5 holes. The Hank Haney Golf Ranch is the only 9-hole Pete Dye designed course in the world. Oak Hollow Municipal Course is also a local favorite that was recently redesigned and expanded in 1997.

In the downtown district shopping is an adventure with over 100 shops featuring American and European Antiques, sophisticated apparel, furniture and home accessories, art galleries, and gift shops. The Old Collin County Courthouse is the centerpiece of the shopping area and was built in 1874 and then remodeled to its current neoclassical facade in 1927. McKinney also hosts one of the largest flea markets in North Texas, Third Monday Trade Days, which features over 900 vendors. It is held the weekend before the third Monday of each month. In addition to the plethora of shopping, there are over 60 restaurants throughout the area from casual and quick to romantic and fine dining.

Starting in 2002, students in Texas began being tested on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests. The TAKS tests are based on the state's curriculum called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The McKinney Independent School District has done exceedingly well on these tests and have consistently scored above the state average. MISD has a total of 10,864 students enrolled in their quality education program. They have also been extremely successful in obtaining support from local industries for projects like the McKinney Education Foundation, Academic Letter Sweaters, Partners in Progress, and Global Edge. Together these programs add to the quality of education and most importantly prepare community students for a successful future as contributing members of society. In addition Collin County Community College with a full time enrollment of 7,514 students is in the area, as well as 5 other college and universities within a 30-mile radius.

If you are considering making a move to McKinney, or would like more information about this charming community, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!