Getting Your Bearings in The Colony
The Colony sits along the eastern shore of Lewisville Lake in Denton County, about 35 minutes from downtown Dallas, and has grown into a city of more than 45,000 residents with a distinct identity of its own. If you are relocating here or seriously considering it, the questions below come up again and again — from school district boundaries to property taxes to where to spend a Saturday afternoon. The City of The Colony is a good first bookmark, but this guide pulls together the practical details that take longer to track down on your own.
Grandscape: What the Buzz Is Actually About
If you have told anyone you are moving to The Colony, someone has probably mentioned Grandscape. The 433-acre development along Sam Rayburn Tollway functions as the city’s entertainment and retail hub, and it genuinely earns the attention.
Grandscape anchors its retail lineup with Nebraska Furniture Mart, a 1.9-million-square-foot store that was the first of its kind in Texas, and Scheels, a 331,000-square-foot sporting goods and entertainment store, also a Texas first. Galaxy Theatres and Andretti Indoor Karting and Games round out the entertainment side. A Costco is officially under construction at Grandscape with a projected opening in fall 2026, which will make everyday errands considerably more convenient for the surrounding neighborhoods.
Schools and Lewisville ISD
The Colony falls within Lewisville Independent School District, which covers southeastern Denton County and carries an A overall rating, with particularly strong marks for college prep. That said, not every campus in the district performs at the same level, and this matters when you are choosing a neighborhood.
The Colony High School is a UIL Class 5A campus and serves most of the city. Its ratings (around 7 out of 10) are solid but sit below top-tier LISD campuses like Marcus or Flower Mound High School. Before committing to a specific street or subdivision, verify your address’s campus assignment directly with Lewisville ISD, since boundaries inside The Colony are not uniform.
Housing Costs and Neighborhoods
As of 2025, expect to pay roughly $350,000 to $550,000 for a three-bedroom single-family home, with a median price around $425,000. The Colony offers a range of neighborhood characters depending on what you are looking for.
Austin Ranch and Castle Hills are popular with families and tend to offer newer construction with community amenities. The Tribute, situated near Lewisville Lake, trends toward higher-end homes and draws buyers who want water views or a golf course lifestyle. Grandscape-adjacent development continues to add inventory as the broader area builds out.
On property taxes, plan carefully. The Colony carries a combined rate of 1.86 percent across 19 taxing districts for tax year 2025, with the city’s municipal share at 0.6300 percent. On a median-value home of roughly $383,900, that works out to approximately $7,143 per year. Full details are available through the city’s Property Tax page.
Setting Up Utilities
The city handles water, sewer, sanitation, and recycling billing through its Utility Administration office at 6053 Main St. Setting up service is straightforward, and the Utility Billing page walks through account setup for both residential and commercial customers.
Budget an additional $100 to $200 per month for electricity during summer months. North Texas heat is not subtle, and cooling costs spike considerably from June through September.
Getting Around: The Honest Picture
The Colony is fully car-dependent. There is no DART rail service, and every errand, school run, or commute requires a vehicle. The Dallas North Tollway and Sam Rayburn Tollway are the fastest routes in and out, but regular use adds up — most commuters budget $150 to $300 per month for tolls alone.
The upside is proximity to major job centers. The Legacy West corridor in Plano, home to Toyota, JPMorgan, and Liberty Mutual, is roughly 15 minutes away under normal conditions. Downtown Dallas is accessible in about 35 minutes when traffic cooperates.
Parks, the Lake, and Outdoor Life
Lewisville Lake is one of The Colony’s defining geographic features, and the city makes good use of it. Stewart Creek Park sits directly on the lake and serves as a venue for community events as well as a place to simply get on the water. Hidden Cove Park, also on Lewisville Lake, is well suited for camping and boating and draws residents who want more than a quick walk.
For dog owners, The Colony Pawsome Playground provides a dedicated off-leash space. The city’s full listing of parks and trails is available at the Parks and Trails page, which covers additional green spaces throughout the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Colony safe compared to other DFW suburbs?
The Colony’s crime rates fall well below national averages, with violent crime in particular being low relative to comparably sized cities. The city also runs an active public health program during mosquito season, which runs May 1 through October 31, including weekly trapping, testing, and targeted spraying when West Nile mosquitoes are confirmed.
What school district is The Colony in?
The Colony is served by Lewisville Independent School District, an A-rated district in Denton County. The Colony High School is the main public high school for the city, though campus boundaries vary by address, so confirm your specific assignment with LISD before purchasing or renting.
What is the property tax rate in The Colony, TX?
The combined property tax rate is 1.86 percent for tax year 2025 across all 19 taxing districts. On a home valued at the city’s median of approximately $383,900, the annual tax bill comes to around $7,143.
Do I need a car to live in The Colony?
Yes. The Colony has no rail transit connection and is fully car-dependent for daily life. Toll roads are the primary commute routes, and most households budget $150 to $300 monthly for toll costs depending on where they work.
