Your guide to McKinney: Things to do, restaurants, parks and more

For more than 150 years, McKinney has been the heart of Collin County.

The historic county seat was an early agricultural and commercial center for the region long before Dallas suburbia stretched north into Collin County. North Texas’ wider growth has reshaped the city, bringing tens of thousands of people to McKinney and hundreds of millions in investments. Even so, the city was named the most affordable city in the country at the end of 2025, making it a popular destination for those moving to D-FW.

Related: This North Texas city was named the country’s most affordable. Some were surprised

Here’s your guide to McKinney:

Population: 227,515
Median age: 38.8
Median income: $124,177
Unemployment rate: 4.2%

• One race, white: 52.3%
• One race, Black or African American: 10.3%
• One race, American Indian or Alaska Native: 0%
• One race, Asian: 19.6%
• One race, Native Hawaiian: 0%
• One race, some other race: 3.9%
• Two or more races: 12.7%
• Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race): 16.5%
• White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 48.5%

For ages 18-24 (roughly 7.2% of the population)

• Less than high school degree or equivalent: 7.2%
• High school graduates (or equivalent): 12.1%
• Some college or associate’s: 37.8%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 21%

For ages 25+ (roughly 69.4%)

• High school graduates (or equivalent): 13.4%
• Bachelor’s degree: 34%
• Graduate or professional degree: 22.8%

88,397 units; 85,091 occupied (96.3%)

• 53,793 Owner Occupied
• 31,298 Renter Occupied

Unit types

• 61,208 1-unit detached
• 3,286 1-unit attached
• 23,000 multi-unit
• 903 mobile homes

Median home value: $555,800
Median rent: $1,900

Compiled by staff researcher Rachel Friend. Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Tables S0601, S1501, S1903, S2301, DP04

McKinney was founded in 1848, when the state Legislature chose it as the Collin County seat because of its proximity to the geographic center of the county, according to the city’s website. The following year local landowners William and Margaret Davis donated 120 acres for the townsite. The town was incorporated in 1849, and re-incorporated 10 years later.

Growth was slow initially, but accelerated with the arrival of railroads, particularly the Houston and Texas Central Railroad in 1872. This promoted agricultural development in McKinney and the area became a significant cotton producer with four cotton gins by 1876, according to the city’s website. Beyond cotton, the region also produced wheat, corn and oats in large quantities.

For most of its history, McKinney was the commercial center of Collin County, according to the Texas State Historical Association. Beyond its agricultural prominence, the town also had banks, churches, schools, newspapers and an opera house by the 1880s. It added a telephone exchange in 1883 and electric lights in 1889, according to the city’s website.

McKinney grew slowly for much of its first 100 years, only reaching a population of around 10,000 by 1950. By 1970, Plano overtook McKinney as the county’s largest city as it emerged as a leading Dallas suburb. Frisco had also overtaken McKinney in population by 2020.

Still, McKinney remains the center of Collin County today and, much like Plano and Frisco, the city’s population has exploded in recent years. McKinney has gone from a population of just over 20,000 in 1990 to more than 225,000 today. 

All that growth has brought some grand plans to McKinney including the commercialization of McKinney National Airport, the multiuse Cannon Beach development and a 20,000 seat open-air amphitheater.

Historic downtown McKinney: As the longtime Collin County seat, downtown McKinney is home to some of the oldest buildings in the region. Today, the area is a thriving district with more than 120 unique shops and dozens of restaurants.

Adriatica Village: This 45-acre Croatian-inspired village is part of the Stonebridge Ranch development. The area features shops, dining and even a bell tower and the lakeside Bella Donna Chapel.

• Cadillac Pizza Pub
• Fontina Ristorante
• Harvest at The Masonic
• Hutchins BBQ
• Local Yocal BBQ and Grill
• One & Only Burgers & Fries
• Rick’s Chophouse
• The Guava Tree Cuban Cafe & Cantina
• The Yard
• TUPPS Brewery
• Union Bear Brewing

McKinney has more than 50 parks and around 80 miles of hike and bike trails throughout the city. Here’s a look at some:  

• Bonnie Wenk Park
• Erwin Park
• Forest Ridge Park
• Gabe Nesbitt Community Park
• Gray Branch Parkland and Trail
• Prestwyck Park
• Robinson Ridge Park
• Rowlett Creek Park
• Towne Lake Park

Find more here.

• Chestnut Square Historic Village and Museum
• Collin County History Museum
• Heard-Craig Center for the Arts
• Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

• Adriatica Village
• Downtown McKinney
• McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square

McKinney National Airport (TKI) is set to become North Texas’ third commercial airport by the end of 2026, joining Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) and Love Field (DAL). Budget carrier Avelo Airlines is set to become the first airline operating at the small terminal, with initial flights to Las Vegas and four cities in Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa).