Best Small Towns in Texas to Raise a Family 

Check out the best small towns in Texas below!

How These Towns Made the Shortlist 

Every town below meets two benchmarks drawn from state and federal sources: 

  1. Population under 25,000 (so it really feels small). 
  1. School quality at or above state norms, based on the Texas Education Agency accountability dashboard. 

1. Tomball – Big-School Scores, Small-Town Size 

  • Schools: Tomball ISD earned a solid “B” with an overall score of 85 in TEA’s 2023 release. 
  • Why it works for families: Saturday farmers markets on Main Street, quick access to SH-249 for Houston commutes, and youth sports leagues that wrap before bedtime. 

2. Argyle – Academic Ace of the DFW Fringe 

  • Schools: Argyle ISD posts a 90-plus composite score (“A”) and routinely ranks in the top ten for college readiness.  

3. Fredericksburg – Hill-Country Heritage Meets Modern Classrooms 

  • Schools: Fredericksburg ISD earned a strong “B” overall, with elementary campuses scoring “A” for student progress. 
  • Family vibe: Bluebonnet trails, a bustling kids’ science museum, and peach-orchard Saturdays that double as math lessons on the sly. 

4. Boerne – Growth on the Rise, Quality Intact 

  • Schools: Boerne ISD secured an “A” with a domain score of 92, putting it in Hill-Country leader territory. 

5. Dripping Springs – Gateway to Outdoor Learning 

  • Schools: Dripping Springs ISD captured an overall “A,” scoring high marks in its STEM pathways. 

Your Takeaway 

You can’t go wrong with any of these contenders! The only question left is which front porch feels like home to you. 

Picture Your Next Chapter 

If the best small towns in Texas have captured your imagination, explore new-construction neighborhoods designed for family life at Taylor Morrison Texas. Your future home—and a community that fits—might be waiting just around the bend. 

Blog is intended for general informational purposes only and not as an exhaustive comparison of all factors applicable to your personal financial situation.  Data used was derived from third-party sources and deemed reliable as of the date obtained, but not guaranteed, offered as investment or tax advice, or independently verified by Taylor Morrison; all information remains subject to change outside of Taylor Morrison’s control.  Images do not reflect a racial, ethnic, age or familial status preference. All registered and unregistered marks of third parties used for illustrative purposes only are the exclusive property of the respective owners. ©January 2026, Taylor Morrison, Inc.  

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