Celina grew from about 16,700 residents in 2020 to roughly 64,400 in 2025, making it the fastest-growing city in America that year.

• Small-town heart. The historic downtown square hosts festivals, local restaurants and shops, and gives Celina a hometown feel that's hard to find in newer suburbs.
• Brand-new homes. Large master-planned communities offer new construction from many builders, with pools, trails, lakes and amenity centers.
• More space. Buyers often find larger lots and more home for the money than in suburbs closer to Dallas.
• Room to grow. The Dallas North Tollway extension and Preston Road (SH-289) connect Celina to Prosper, Frisco and the job centers to the south.

Light Farms. One of Celina's best-known master-planned communities, west of Preston Road near the Prosper border. Amenities include pools, trails, a fitness center and a lake, and most of the community is zoned to Prosper ISD.

Mustang Lakes. Along the Celina–Prosper border, known for consistent architecture, larger homes and resort-style amenities. Most homes are zoned to Prosper ISD.

Bluewood. Close to downtown Celina, a good fit for buyers who want new construction near the historic square.

The Columns. A newer community off the Dallas North Tollway with homes set around a private lake.

Downtown Celina. Older homes and infill builds within walking distance of the square's shops, restaurants and events.

Most of Celina is served by Celina ISD, but several of the largest master-planned communities, including much of Light Farms and Mustang Lakes, are zoned to Prosper ISD. Because Celina is growing so quickly, new campuses and boundary changes are common.

If schools matter to you, tell me early. I'll confirm the zoned schools for every home before you write an offer.

Celina's nickname is "Rollertown": in 1902 residents put their buildings on rollers and moved the town a mile north to meet the new railroad. That same small-town spirit still fills the square today.

1. Explore the Historic Downtown Square. Locally owned shops, restaurants and over a century of history, all walkable.
2. Shop the Friday Night Market. Once a month from spring through fall, 60+ vendors bring handmade goods, local produce, food and live music to the square.
3. Eat crawfish at Celina Cajun Fest. Every May, the square hosts one of the biggest crawfish boils in North Texas. (As a New Orleans native, this is my kind of festival.)
4. Grab a slice of pie at Lucy's on the Square. A local favorite for comfort food and homemade pies.
5. Visit the Celina Museum. A free museum in the old newspaper office, with original printing presses and pieces of local history.
6. Try Rollertown Beerworks. A local taproom named for the town's famous move.
7. Play at Old Celina Park. The city's hub for sports fields, trails and outdoor recreation.
8. Celebrate the holidays downtown. Christmas on the Square and fall events bring the whole community out.

When was Celina founded, and how big is it now? Celina was founded in 1879. Its population was about 64,400 in 2025, nearly four times what it was in 2020.

What school district is my Celina home in? It depends on the address. Most of Celina is Celina ISD, while communities like Light Farms and Mustang Lakes are largely zoned to Prosper ISD.

Do I need a realtor to buy new construction in Celina? You don't have to have one, but it's smart. The builder's sales rep represents the builder, and the builder typically pays your agent's commission.

What's a MUD, and why does it matter in Celina? Many new Celina communities are in a Municipal Utility District, which adds to the property tax rate. I'll show you the total tax rate for every home so you can compare true monthly costs.