A Small Town Built on Peters Colony Land

Howe is a town of approximately 6,554 people in northern Grayson County, where the median home value sits at $258,300 and median household income reaches $71,228 according to Census Bureau data. The community is served entirely by Howe ISD, a C-rated district with two schools enrolling 621 students. With a 72% homeownership rate and no formal mapped neighborhoods, Howe functions as a single cohesive small town rather than a collection of subdivisions. The local economy reflects broader Grayson County employment patterns, with manufacturing, healthcare, and construction providing the highest-paying jobs in the region.

History

Howe's history traces directly to the Peters Colony land grants of the 1840s, when pioneers like Jabez Haning and William Whitley Wheat settled the area. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s transformed scattered homesteads into a town, and institutions like the First Christian Church of Howe soon followed.

ZIP Codes Compared

Howe operates as a single-ZIP community without distinct neighborhood pricing tiers, so home values vary more by property age and lot size than by location within town limits.

Demographics

Howe's population is notably young, with a median age of 30.6, and increasingly diverse—Hispanic residents now comprise nearly a third of the community. The town maintains a working-class profile, with just under a quarter of adults holding bachelor's degrees and most households earning in the low-to-mid seventy-thousand range.

Economy

Grayson County's economy leans on manufacturing and healthcare, with manufacturing jobs averaging $77,689 annually and healthcare positions paying around $65,981. Construction and wholesale trade also offer solid wages, while retail and food service employment remains abundant but lower-paying.

Schools

Howe ISD serves the entire town with two campuses educating 621 students, earning a C rating from state evaluators. Howe High School anchors the district, and the small enrollment means families know teachers and administrators personally.

Cost of Living

Housing costs in Howe run below state metro averages, with median home values around $258,300 and typical rents near $1,342 monthly. The town offers affordability compared to nearby Sherman or McKinney, though property taxes and utility expenses still reflect Texas norms.

Homeowners Associations

Howe has no registered homeowners associations, reflecting its character as a traditional small town where properties are individually owned without subdivision-level governance or amenity fees.

About Howe

Howe sits in northern Grayson County, a town of roughly 6,500 people shaped by its Peters Colony origins and agricultural roots. The land here was patented in the 1840s and 1850s to families like Anderson White and Jabez Haning, settlers who received grants from the Peters Colony immigration project. When the Houston and Texas Central Railroad came through in the early 1870s, the community coalesced around the depot, and churches like the First Christian Church of Howe formed shortly after. Today, those early institutions remain central to town life—First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, and Howe Church of Christ anchor the community alongside Community Bible Fellowship.

Daily life in Howe revolves around the schools, local businesses along the main corridors, and family-oriented gathering spots. Bicentennial Park and Memorial Park provide green space for youth sports and weekend picnics. Bulldog Stadium draws Friday night crowds during football season, and the Howe Community Library serves as a quiet hub for students and retirees alike. The town supports a handful of locally owned businesses—Howe Auto Care and JA Autos handle vehicle repairs, while Bakers Dozen Donuts and Bar KC offer casual dining and socializing. The Howe Fire Department and Howe Police Department maintain a visible presence, and Independent Financial handles local banking needs.

The population skews younger than many rural Texas towns, with a median age just over thirty. Most residents own their homes, and the town retains a distinctly working-class character despite rising property values. Hispanic families now make up nearly a third of the population, contributing to a gradual cultural shift in this historically white community. Howe remains a place where neighbors know each other, where historical figures like educator Mame Roberts—who taught here for decades—are remembered, and where the Peters Colony legacy still echoes in the surnames on mailboxes and cemetery stones at Hall Cemetery.

Classification

Type

Incorporated Place

Class Code

C1

Identifiers

GEOID

4835084

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

35084

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Population

3,553

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

13 km²

County

Grayson

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Howe

Is Howe a good place to live?

Howe works well for people seeking small-town life within commuting distance of Sherman, McKinney, or even the Dallas metro area. The median household income of $71,228 according to Census Bureau estimates supports a comfortable lifestyle, and the 72% homeownership rate reflects a stable, invested community. Daily conveniences are modest—expect Dollar General for groceries, a handful of locally owned service businesses, and community parks rather than shopping centers or entertainment districts. The town's younger median age of 30.6 suggests families with school-age children find value here, particularly those prioritizing affordability and a slower pace over urban amenities. If you value knowing your neighbors, attending Friday night football games at Bulldog Stadium, and having access to open space, Howe delivers. If you need walkable dining, nightlife, or extensive retail, you'll drive elsewhere regularly.

What is the cost of living in Howe?

Housing costs in Howe remain manageable compared to larger Texas cities, with a median home value of $258,300 and median rent around $1,342 per month based on Census Bureau data. These figures sit well below what you'd pay in Frisco, Plano, or Allen, though they've climbed as North Texas growth spreads outward. Utilities, groceries, and transportation costs align with rural Texas norms—you'll need a vehicle for nearly everything, and gas stations like the local Exxon serve as essential stops. Property taxes follow Texas patterns, funding Howe ISD and county services, though specific rates weren't available in district records. The town lacks big-box retailers, so households often drive to Sherman or McKinney for major purchases, adding travel costs. Overall, Howe offers a lower cost of entry than metro suburbs while still requiring a solid middle-class income to live comfortably.

How are the schools in Howe?

Howe ISD operates two campuses serving 621 students across all grade levels, earning a C rating from state evaluators. The small enrollment means students receive individualized attention and teachers know families personally, but it also limits course offerings, extracurricular variety, and advanced programming compared to larger districts. Howe High School serves as the community's social and athletic hub, particularly during football season when Bulldog Stadium fills with townspeople. Families prioritizing specialized academics, extensive AP courses, or diverse electives may find the district's size constraining. However, for students who thrive in tight-knit environments where everyone knows their name, Howe ISD provides a supportive setting. The district's performance reflects typical small-town challenges—limited funding, fewer resources than metro districts—but also the advantages of close teacher-student relationships and a community deeply invested in its schools.

Is Howe good for families?

Families drawn to small-town Texas will find Howe offers safety, affordability, and a community-oriented lifestyle. The 72% homeownership rate according to Census Bureau estimates indicates residential stability, and the median age of 30.6 suggests many households include young children. Bicentennial Park and Memorial Park provide outdoor space for recreation, and the Howe Community Library offers programming for kids. Schools sit within easy reach, and the town's compact geography means children can bike to friends' houses or walk to local businesses. The trade-offs involve limited organized activities—expect youth sports through the school district and church groups rather than private leagues or specialized camps. Dining and entertainment options are minimal, so families often travel to Sherman or McKinney for outings. If you want your children growing up where neighbors look out for each other and Friday night football games bring the whole town together, Howe delivers that experience authentically.

Explore Howe With Local Expertise

Thinking about moving to Howe or somewhere nearby in Grayson County? A Texas Ally advisor can walk you through school options, property availability, and what daily life really looks like in this close-knit community. Connect with someone who knows North Texas inside and out.