What’s it Like Living in Little Elm TX? 🌳 | COMPLETE Moving to Little Elm Guide

Located in Denton County, Little Elm is a city in Texas. It’s part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and is a suburb of Denton, TX. Little Elm is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Texas and experienced an 8% increase in 2022. 

C.C. “Kit” King, son of John and Delilah King, founded Little Elm, Texas, in 1844. The city remained small for the first half of the 20th century, but as Texas continues to grow, Little Elm is close behind, with the population increasing by nearly 24,000 people from 2010 to 2020. Located on Lewisville Lake, the city’s motto is, “Town With A Lake Attitude,” and Little Elm is known for being the city in DFW Metro with the most miles of shoreline.

Little Elm is a very good place to live for various reasons. The cost of living isn’t too high, there are plenty of wonderful neighborhoods, and the economy is developing faster than the US average. 

Where Is Little Elm Texas?

Little Elm is a city in Denton County, Texas. Bordered by The Colony, Frisco, and Prosper and located 34 miles from Dallas, Little Elm is in a great location. Expect flat greenery throughout and a glistening lake wrapping around the city’s West side. Denton County Transportation Authority provides transportation services in the Little Elm area. The bus and rail schedule provides plenty of options no matter the desired time of your departure. 

Little Elm TX Population & Demographics

The once-small Texas city has since grown into a highly populated area. The Little Elm, TX population has increased by 20,558 since 2010, putting its population at 46,453. The city is the 10th largest in Denton County, with the 28th highest median income ($101,693).

Little Elm demographics:

• Median Age: 36.2
• Gender Demographics: 51% male, 49% female
• Racial Make-up: 44% White, 20% Hispanic, 20% Black, 9% Asian, 6% Two or More.
• Foreign-Born Population: 17.3%
• Educational Attainment: 91.6% have a high school diploma, and 39.8% have a bachelor’s degree

Notable people from Little Elm, Texas:

• Cole Beasley
• Westin McKennie
• R.J. Hampton

According to the FBI, the overall Little Elm crime rate is 529 per 100k people, 80.3% lower than the state and 77.5% lower than the country, making it a very safe place to live.

The violent and property crime rates follow the same trend:

The Little Elm violent crime rate is 66.9% lower than the state and 61.8% lower than the country.

• Little Elm violent crime rate: 148 per 100k people
• Texas violent crime rate: 447 per 100k people
• US violent crime rate: 388 per 100k people

The Little Elm property crime rate is 83.0% lower than the state and 80.5% lower than the country. 

• Little Elm property crime rate: 381 per 100k people
• Texas property crime rate: 2,245 per 100k people
• US property crime rate per 100k people 1,958

Despite Little Elm having an exceptionally low crime rate, the Little Elm Police Department has 73 dedicated officers protecting its citizens.

Cost of Living in Little Elm

The COLI (Cost of Living Index) in Little Elm is 112, which is 12% higher than the national average of 100. Housing is 15% higher here, and utilities are 14% higher; in contrast, utilities are 5% lower.

Typical Little Elm Living Expenses:

• Loaf of bread: $3.70
• Gallon of milk: $2.33
• Cartoon of eggs: $2.14
• Hamburger: $4.88
• Typical Little Elm utilities per month: $276

Source: PayScale

According to the Economic Policy Institute, for a family of four to live comfortably in Denton County, they should earn a salary of $84,729.

As the DFW metroplex grows, the housing market in Little Elm continues to grow in competitiveness. As the Northern Texas hot pocket, the Little Elm median home price increased 24% in a year. However, since the Dallas-Fort Worth housing market slowed in 2023, the Little Elm, Texas real estate market is only considered somewhat competitive, and the median sale price is down 2.2% since 2022.

The Little Elm median home price is $450,000, and the median price per square-foot is $195. Looking to browse the Little Elm real estate market? There are numerous lovely Little Elm TX homes for sale. There are plenty of rental properties too! According to RentCafe, the average rent in Little Elm is $1,850 for a 980-square-foot apartment.

Living in Little Elm is slightly more expensive than the national average but not entirely out of reach.

Little Elm Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Little Elm

Considering living in Little Elm and are In search of the best neighborhoods in Little Elm, TX? Look no further! Here’s our list of the top three.

Eldorado Estates | Desirable neighborhood in Little Elm with proximity to great schools

With over 1,500 homes, Eldorado Estates is a large Little Elm neighborhood. Despite its scale, homes are rarely for sale in Eldorado due to their various attractive attributes. The median listing price of $499,000, which is similar to the Little Elm median sale price.

Griffin Middle School serves the Eldorado Estate residents and is rated the 70th best middle school in Texas and has an overall score of 96.45/100, according to US News. Eldorado is in a great location, miles from Lewisville Lake and around the corner from McCord Park. Eldorado Estates is one of the best neighborhoods in Little Elm, TX.

The Villages of Woodlake | Family-friendly Little Elm neighborhood

The Village of Woodlake is a great Little Elm neighborhood for families. Located near a few schools like Lakeview Elementary School and Lakeside Middle School. Most homes are mid-side single-family homes ranging from 3-4 beds and 2-3 baths.

Positioned off of East Eldorado Pkwy, your typical suburban conveniences are nearby whether you’d like to grab a coffee at the neighborhood Starbucks or a bite to eat at Mario’s Mexican & Salvadorian Restaurant.

Stardust Ranch | Affordable neighborhood in Little Elm

Finding the best neighborhood in Little Elm for your family isn’t easy, but with pricing ranging from low $400,000s to nearly one million, Stardust Ranch has a varying price range, able to fit most budgets. The area is diverse and can meet many of your family’s needs. Some homes in Stardust are located right near the water, making them prime real estate; however, there are more affordable options near the front of the neighborhood.

Most homes are brick, single-family homes with a median listing price of $425,000. Stardust is in a great neighborhood with desirable schools. The Little Elm ISD Athletic Complex is a state-of-the-art stadium only a few miles from any home in Stardust. Dawn Mist Park and the Community Pool are close-by as well.

Little Elm TX Weather & Climate

Texas is known for having unpredictable weather, but why? The Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains that surround Little Elm act as a pseudo-funnel, pushing the cool Canadian air and the hot Gulf of Mexico up and down the funnel, resulting in abnormal weather patterns.

Before moving to Little Elm, see if the weather fits your desires. According to the Köppen classification, Little Elm has a climate type of “Cfa ” (Humid Subtropical Climate), meaning the summers are hot and muggy, and the winters are cold and windy. The average temperature in Little Elm in the summer is 88 degrees Fahrenheit and 63 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The annual rainfall in Little Elm is 39 inches, and the annual snowfall is 1 inch.

Overall, the Little Elm weather is enjoyable in most parts of the year but can get hot in the summertime. The best time to visit Little Elm is late May to mid-September when it is ideal for warm-weather activities.

The Cove at The Lakefront

Looking for a Little Elm water park? The Cove at The Lakefront is the ideal spot to cool off during those hot Texas summers; however, you can Make a Splash All Year Long™ with the Cove’s indoor water park option. Catch a wave on the Double Surf Machine or relax in the Lazy River.

 417 Lakefront Dr, Little Elm, TX 75068, (214) 618-2047

Beard Park

Beard Park is a top-rated tourist attraction in Little Elm. Perfect for small children, this park is complete with a great playground, aquatic park, picnic area, and walking trails.

310 E Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX 75068, (972) 731-3296

Hydrous Wake Park

Another aquatic activity in Little Elm is the Hydrous Wake Park. Located on Lake Lewisville, Hydrous has numerous blow-up structures set up in an obstacle-course formation. From kid-friendly slides to wakeboarding, you won’t get bored of this excellent Little Elm attraction.

280 E Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX 75068, (214) 310-1105

Additional attractions in Little Elm

• Little Elm Park – also known as Little Elm Lake
• Cottonwood Park Nature Trail
• Little Elm Rec Center

One of the best parts of living in Little Elm is the numerous Little Elms parks that are perfectly maintained by the hardworking Parks and Recreation department. You can even take your puppies to the beloved Little Elm dog park Wood Family Dog Park.

Little Elm Restaurants

There are plenty of places to eat in Little Elm. Here are the three best Little Elm restaurants that topped our list!

Hula Hut

In search of Mexican restaurants in Little Elm, TX? Hula Hut is the place for you. The Tex-Mex cuisine provided by this highly-rated establishment will leave you satisfied.

210 E Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX 75068, (214) 618-4852

Towers Tap House

Taking advantage of water-front dining is a must during your stay in Little Elm. Towers Tap House serves ice cold brews and handcrafted burgers, as well as other bar food. Feast your eyes on a 1⁄2 lb burger and some Lewisville Lake views.

290 E Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX 75068, (214) 483-1356

Craft Pies Pizza Company

You can’t go wrong with pizza, and Craft Pies has some of the best in town. Step out of your comfort zone with a specialty pizza like Buffalo Madness or Green Monster.

2401 Little Elm Pkwy Suite 100, Little Elm, TX 75068, (972) 704-3449

Jobs in Little Elm TX

Thanks to Little Elm’s unique location along the shoreline of Lewisville Lake, the city is in a prime position for tourist attractions. And with its multiplying population, the city has plans to develop Little Elm, TX into a tourism powerhouse.

The main industries in Little Elm are hospitality and entertainment, with rapidly growing finance and healthcare sectors. Among other states, Texas has seen a large increase in new businesses. The city of Little Elm has seen a 3.3% job market increase this past year and has a projected future job growth of 65.6% by 2033. 

While it’s not uncommon for residents to commute to work in Fort Worth or Dallas, the main employers of Little Elm residents are Little Elm ISD, Kroger, Town of Little Elm, and Retractable Technologies. The average hourly rate in Little Elm is $15.93, and the average annual salary is $80,000 a year.

Don’t let the stress of job hunting damper the excitement of moving to Little Elm. With a blossoming economy and unique leading sectors, you’ll find that there are many Little Elm, TX jobs, ISD jobs, and Little Elm city jobs in the city and surrounding areas. 

Little Elm Schools

A part of the Little Elm ISD school district and with a few top-rated schools, there are numerous well rated Little Elm schools!

The ISD school district is known for being tight-knit; its motto is “One Community, One Pack.” Living in a school district that has school pride and exudes educational comradery can increase excitement for learning and school pride!

The school has endless student support resources, such as dual language programs, fine arts classes, and business and finance services.

There are 6 Little Elm elementary schools, 6 preschools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. Prestwick K-8 Stem Academy is the best Elementary in the school district and is rated the #165 (out of over 1,600) best middle school in Texas, according to the U.S. News.

A few good elementary schools in Little Elm, TX are Coy Miller Elementary School, Lakeview Elementary School, and D.H. Brent Elementary School, while Little Elm High School is a great option for your older children looking for a welcoming place to make friends and learn!

Looking to advance your education? The closest colleges to Little Elm are Amberton University and North Central Texas College (NCTC) – Flower Mound Campus.

The Little Elm Library is a great place to study or check out a new book.

Little Elm Statistics and Information

• County: Denton County
• Little Elm Area: 22.09 mi²
• Little Elm Zip Code: 75036, 75068, 76227
• Little Elm Area Code: 469
• Little Elm Elevation: 515’
• Little Elm Time Zone: Central Daylight Time (CDT)
• The closest airport to Little Elm: The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW / KDFW) is 22.8 miles from Little Elm

Map of Little Elm

Paul Woodruff

Brothers Moving and Storage started as a grassroots moving company and has grown to a full service relocations provider.  No matter if it’s packing, local moving or a long-distance relocation, we take every opportunity  to serve the great citizens of Texas with great pride. We’re here to serve you and we’re here to stay!