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Waxahachie is the seat of Ellis County, Texas, located about 30 miles south of downtown Dallas at the junction of Interstate 35E and US 287. The county, organized in 1850, is named for Richard Ellis, president of the convention that produced the Texas Declaration of Independence. Waxahachie grew as a cotton and agricultural center, and that prosperity is still visible in its historic core: the city is nicknamed the Gingerbread City for its abundance of restored Queen Anne Victorian homes, and its downtown square holds one of the finest concentrations of 19th- and early 20th-century commercial architecture in Texas. The Ellis County Courthouse is the city's centerpiece — a red sandstone and granite Romanesque Revival building designed by James Riely Gordon and completed in 1897, often cited as one of the most photographed historic landmarks in the state. The annual Gingerbread Tour of Homes celebrates the city's Victorian residential heritage, while Waxahachie's designation as the Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas reflects the flowering trees that line its streets. With roughly 50,000 residents, Waxahachie has grown well beyond its historic core into a substantial southern Dallas-Fort Worth suburb. The city balances a preserved, walkable downtown with newer subdivisions spreading across the surrounding Ellis County landscape. Its location less than 35 minutes from Dallas makes it a practical commuter base, while its cultural identity — the courthouse, the Victorian homes, and the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, held here since 1981 — gives it a distinct character among metroplex suburbs. The economy spans retail, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with the historic square's shops and restaurants complementing the larger commercial corridors along the highways. For homebuyers, Waxahachie offers a rare combination of historic charm and modern suburban growth, with the county seat's civic institutions and a self-contained downtown at its center.

Population 51,860

County Ellis County

Active Listings 823

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Waxahachie called the Gingerbread City?

Waxahachie is called the Gingerbread City because of its abundance of restored Queen Anne Victorian homes and buildings with ornate gingerbread-style woodwork. The city hosts an annual Gingerbread Tour of Homes showcasing its Victorian residential architecture.

What county is Waxahachie, Texas in?

Waxahachie is in Ellis County, Texas, and serves as the county seat. Ellis County was founded in 1849 and organized in 1850, and it is named for Richard Ellis, president of the convention that produced the Texas Declaration of Independence.

What school district serves Waxahachie?

Waxahachie is served by Waxahachie Independent School District, a growing district with roughly 11,000 students across about 18 campuses serving the city and parts of the surrounding Ellis County area in North Texas.

How far is Waxahachie from Dallas?

Waxahachie is about 30 miles south of downtown Dallas, less than a 35-minute drive via Interstate 35E. US 287 intersects the city, providing east-west access, with Waco less than an hour to the south.

What is the Scarborough Renaissance Festival?

The Scarborough Renaissance Festival is a renaissance fair held in Waxahachie since 1981. Each spring it recreates a 35-acre, 16th-century English village with entertainment, food, and crafts, drawing visitors from across North Texas.

City Guide

About Waxahachie

Real Estate & Housing

Waxahachie's housing stock spans two worlds. The historic districts around downtown preserve restored Queen Anne and other Victorian homes, many of which anchor the city's Gingerbread City identity and its annual tour of homes. Beyond the core, the city's growth has produced a broad range of newer single-family subdivisions, including communities such as Myrtle Creek and Saddlebrook Estates, offering contemporary construction with varied lot sizes and amenities. The surrounding Ellis County countryside adds acreage and rural-style properties for buyers seeking more space. This blend of restored historic homes, established mid-century neighborhoods, and new construction gives buyers options across budgets and lifestyles.

Neighborhoods

Waxahachie's neighborhoods fall into historic and newer categories. Downtown Waxahachie and the surrounding historic districts hold the city's celebrated Victorian and early-20th-century homes near the courthouse square, with tree-lined streets and restored architecture. Myrtle Creek and Saddlebrook Estates are among the popular newer subdivisions, offering modern single-family homes with community amenities. Established mid-century neighborhoods fill the middle, while the unincorporated Ellis County edges provide larger lots and acreage. The courthouse square itself anchors a walkable commercial and civic center, with shops, restaurants, and government offices in the restored historic buildings.

Lifestyle in Waxahachie

Waxahachie blends small-town Texas charm with metroplex convenience. The courthouse square and historic downtown host shops, restaurants, and seasonal events, while the Gingerbread Tour of Homes and the Crape Myrtle-lined streets give the city a distinctive visual identity. The Scarborough Renaissance Festival, a North Texas tradition since 1981, brings a 35-acre recreation of a 16th-century English village to town each spring. Residents enjoy community festivals, local dining, and a strong sense of place that larger suburbs often lack. With Dallas under 35 minutes away, the city offers a slower, history-rich daily rhythm without sacrificing access to urban employment and amenities.

Schools & Education

Waxahachie is served by Waxahachie Independent School District, a growing district with roughly 11,000 students across 18 campuses. The district operates elementary, middle, and high schools serving the city and parts of the surrounding Ellis County area, and is a central consideration for relocating families. Waxahachie High School anchors the secondary level with a full range of academic and athletic programs. Private school options supplement the public system. The district's growth has tracked the city's expansion as new subdivisions add students, and school quality is frequently cited as a draw for buyers choosing Waxahachie.

Getting Around

Waxahachie sits at the intersection of Interstate 35E and US 287, in the southern Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Downtown Dallas is less than 35 minutes to the north via I-35E, while Waco and the Texas Hill Country lie less than an hour to the south. US 287 provides east-west access, connecting to I-45 and the Piney Woods about 18 miles to the east. Regional commuter bus service links Waxahachie to Dallas via a park-and-ride network, though most residents drive. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field are reachable via the highway system.

Parks & Recreation

The Scarborough Renaissance Festival, held in Waxahachie since 1981, is the city's signature event — a 35-acre recreation of a 16th-century English village drawing visitors from across North Texas each spring. The annual Gingerbread Tour of Homes showcases the city's Victorian architecture, while the courthouse square hosts community gatherings and seasonal events. Lake Waxahachie and the city's parks system provide boating, fishing, and green space, and the Crape Myrtle-lined streets add seasonal color. The historic downtown offers year-round dining, shopping, and cultural programming tied to the city's heritage.