Moving is a lot. Moving to a fast-growing county where you don't know which town fits yet is even more. Give yourself a quiet place to land while you tour homes, wait on a closing, or watch a builder's timeline slide another month.
At a glance
- Ellis County
- 240,867 people (July 2025 estimate), up about 25% since 2020
- To Dallas
- About 35 minutes to downtown; Fort Worth about 50
- Short stays
- Up to 29 nights, booked like any stay
- 30+ nights
- Employer relocation letter, closing date, and a written agreement
- The home
- Furnished, with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, fast WiFi, and room for pets with approval
Population, home value, and commute figures are U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts estimates, checked October 3, 2026.
Towns to know
All four are in Ellis County, within about 20 minutes of the tiny home. Home values are Census medians for owner-occupied homes, 2020 to 2024; population is the July 2025 estimate.
Waxahachie
County seat · Waxahachie ISD
The Gingerbread City: a historic courthouse square, Victorian homes, and new neighborhoods spreading out from I-35E. 50,090 people, up about 22% since 2020. Median home value $336,500; average commute 25.9 minutes.
Midlothian
West on US-287 · Midlothian ISD
The fastest-growing of the bigger towns: 46,683 people, up about 33% since 2020. Median home value $411,800 and median household income $126,641; average commute 31.7 minutes.
Red Oak
North on I-35E · Red Oak ISD
Closest to Dallas of the four, and growing fastest by percentage: 20,394 people, up about 43% since 2020. Median home value $366,100; average commute 27.1 minutes.
Ennis
East on US-287 · Ennis ISD
The Bluebonnet City of Texas, with a historic downtown and the most affordable median home value of the four, $260,100. 25,694 people, up about 28% since 2020; average commute 27.6 minutes.
Want a feel for local life before you pick? Our guides to where to eat, things to do with kids, and the Ennis bluebonnet trails are a good start.
Commutes from here
| From the tiny home to | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Waxahachie | 3.7 mi | About 8 min |
| Downtown Midlothian | 14.5 mi | About 20 min |
| Downtown Ennis | 15.5 mi | About 20 min |
| Downtown Dallas | 31 mi | About 35 min |
| Dallas Love Field | 37 mi | About 45 min |
| Arlington (AT&T Stadium) | 39 mi | About 50 min |
| Downtown Fort Worth | 45 mi | About 50 min |
| DFW International Airport | 50 mi | About 1 hour |
Without traffic. Drive your real commute at rush hour before you commit to a neighborhood; I-35E into Dallas can add a lot.
School districts
The big four are Waxahachie ISD, Midlothian ISD, Red Oak ISD, and Ennis ISD. Smaller districts include Ferris, Palmer, Maypearl, and Italy. Out here, a Waxahachie or Midlothian mailing address doesn't always mean that school district, so run every address through the district's own lookup before you make an offer.
Where the tiny home fits
- House-hunting trips: tour homes all day, then decompress on a porch instead of in a hotel lobby.
- New builds running late: when the builder's date slides, you need somewhere that isn't a suitcase.
- The gap between closings: sold the old place before the new one closes? We're the in-between.
- Corporate relocation: a furnished base while your family finds the right neighborhood.
- Moving with pets: pets are welcome with prior approval and a small pet fee.
What's here
Cook at home
A full kitchen with stainless appliances and a farmhouse sink, so you're not eating takeout for a month.
Wash at home
A full-size washer and dryer in the house.
Keep working
Fast WiFi for remote work and video calls, plus a smart TV for the kids.
Room for the family
A queen bed on the main floor, two queen air mattresses in the loft up a wooden staircase, and a sofa that sleeps one. Up to 7 overnight.
Simple arrival
Self check-in with a lockbox and free parking at your door.
A calm base
It's extremely quiet out here, with a covered porch facing open farmland. A good place to think through a big decision.
Stay lengths and paperwork
- Under 30 nights: book like any stay on VRBO, Airbnb, or through our booking form.
- 30 nights or more: we need an employer relocation letter and your closing date, plus a written agreement with your move-in and move-out dates. If the closing moves, we update the agreement together.
- House rules: up to 7 overnight guests, no parties or outside visitors, and quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
New to Texas?
- Vehicle registration: new residents have 30 days to register a vehicle. Get the inspection first, then register at the county tax office.
- Driver license: get your Texas license from the Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving. Book the appointment early; slots fill up.
Details are on the Texas DMV's New to Texas page.
Questions we get
Is Waxahachie part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
Yes. Waxahachie is the county seat of Ellis County, which is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Downtown Dallas is about 35 minutes north up I-35E.
How far is Waxahachie from Dallas and Fort Worth?
From the tiny home, downtown Dallas is about 35 minutes and downtown Fort Worth about 50 minutes without traffic. Dallas Love Field is about 45 minutes and DFW International Airport about an hour.
Is Waxahachie growing?
Fast. The Census Bureau estimates Waxahachie at 50,090 people in July 2025, up about 22% since 2020, and Ellis County at 240,867, up about 25%.
What does a home cost in Waxahachie?
The Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 estimate for the median value of an owner-occupied home is $336,500 in Waxahachie, $411,800 in Midlothian, $366,100 in Red Oak, and $260,100 in Ennis. Current listing prices run higher or lower, so check with a local agent.
Waxahachie or Midlothian: what's the difference?
Both are growing county towns about 15 minutes apart. By the Census numbers, Midlothian has grown faster since 2020 (about 33% to Waxahachie's 22%), with a higher median home value ($411,800 to $336,500) and a longer average commute (31.7 minutes to 25.9). Waxahachie is the county seat, with the historic courthouse square.
Where can we stay while our new home is being built?
Our tiny home works well for builder delays. Stays under 30 nights book like any other stay. For 30 nights or more, we need an employer relocation letter, your closing date, and a written agreement with your dates.
Can we stay between closings?
Yes. Book up to 29 nights on VRBO, Airbnb, or through our booking form, like any other stay. Longer gaps follow the same 30-night paperwork rule as new builds.
Can we bring our pets while we move?
Yes, with prior approval and a small pet fee.
Which school districts are in Ellis County?
The biggest are Waxahachie ISD, Midlothian ISD, Red Oak ISD, and Ennis ISD, plus smaller districts such as Ferris, Palmer, Maypearl, and Italy. Check each district's address lookup before you make an offer, since mailing addresses and school districts don't always match out here.
How soon do I need a Texas driver license and registration after moving?
The Texas DMV says new residents have 30 days to register a vehicle, after it passes inspection, and 90 days to get a Texas driver license from the Department of Public Safety.