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Terrell is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, located along Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 80 about 25 miles east of downtown Dallas. Its population was 17,465 at the 2020 census, and the city functions as a gateway between the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and East Texas. Terrell began as a railroad depot town, incorporating in 1874, and quickly became Kaufman County's commercial center, a role its historic downtown still reflects today. The city's history has a distinctive aviation chapter. During World War II, Terrell Municipal Airport hosted the No. 1 British Flying Training School, where more than 2,000 Royal Air Force and American Army Air Force pilots trained between 1941 and 1945. The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum preserves that legacy with log books, uniforms, and training materials, and the story has become a point of civic pride and a draw for visitors. Downtown Terrell remains the community's heart, with preserved turn-of-the-century architecture, outdoor murals, and an ongoing revitalization that has added boutique shopping, restaurants, and loft-style apartments. The city's commercial pull extends beyond its borders through The Shops at Terrell, a large outlet center that attracts shoppers from across the region. These amenities sit alongside agricultural traditions represented by Ham Orchards, a long-running peach orchard and market popular with locals and travelers alike. Terrell's growth has followed the eastward expansion of the Dallas metro along the I-20 corridor. The city offers a lower-density, more affordable alternative to inner-ring suburbs while keeping downtown Dallas within commuting distance. Its blend of historic character, regional retail, and highway access makes it attractive to families, commuters, and anyone seeking a small-city feel on the edge of a major metropolitan area.

Population 17,465

County Kaufman County

Active Listings 452

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Terrell in?

Terrell is in Kaufman County, Texas, in the northeastern part of the state. It sits about 25 miles east of downtown Dallas, positioned along the Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 80 corridors that link it to the metroplex.

What school district serves Terrell?

Terrell is served by the Terrell Independent School District, a community-based public school system headquartered in the city. The district operates eight campuses covering elementary, middle, and high school for Terrell and the surrounding Kaufman County area.

How far is Terrell from Dallas?

Terrell is located roughly 25 miles east of downtown Dallas, reached via Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 80. This position makes it a practical base for commuters working in the eastern Dallas area and nearby Mesquite.

How big is Terrell?

Terrell had a population of 17,465 at the 2020 census, and the community has continued to grow along the Interstate 20 corridor as the Dallas metropolitan area has expanded eastward into Kaufman County.

What is Terrell known for?

Terrell is known for its railroad and aviation heritage, including the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum, which commemorates the Royal Air Force pilots trained at Terrell Municipal Airport during World War II. The city also features a historic brick downtown and The Shops at Terrell outlet center.

City Guide

About Terrell

Real Estate & Housing

Terrell's housing market spans several eras, from Victorian and early-20th-century homes near the historic downtown to midcentury neighborhoods and newer subdivisions on the city's edges. The town's depot-town origins left a core of older, character-rich houses, while its position on the I-20 corridor has attracted new residential construction in recent decades, including homes on larger lots and acreage properties on the outskirts. Downtown revitalization has also added upper-floor loft-style apartments and renewed interest in the historic district. Buyers can choose between established neighborhoods close to town and newer developments offering more space, with the general tradeoff being shorter commutes versus larger properties.

Neighborhoods

Terrell's residential areas radiate outward from its historic core. The downtown Historic District contains turn-of-the-century commercial buildings and older homes, and ongoing revitalization has brought boutique retail, restaurants, and loft-style upper-floor residences back to the district. Surrounding the center are established single-family neighborhoods from the mid-20th century, while the outer edges hold newer subdivisions and homes on larger lots and acreage, reflecting the city's growth along the I-20 corridor. This layered pattern gives Terrell a mix of walkable older streets near downtown and more spacious, newer developments on the periphery, appealing to different household types within a single community.

Lifestyle in Terrell

Terrell blends the rhythm of an older Texas county-seat town with the convenience of a growing Dallas-area community. Its historic downtown, with turn-of-the-century brick storefronts and outdoor murals, anchors local identity, while The Shops at Terrell draws shoppers from across the region and adds a commercial draw unusual for a city of its size. Community life is built around schools, church and civic organizations, and seasonal events, and the town's agricultural roots show up in destinations like Ham Orchards, a popular peach orchard and market. Residents enjoy a lower-density pace than Dallas's inner-ring suburbs while staying within a short drive of the metro's jobs and amenities.

Schools & Education

Terrell is served by the Terrell Independent School District, a community school district based in the city that operates eight campuses covering elementary through high school. The district is the educational anchor for Terrell and the surrounding Kaufman County area, and its campuses are spread close to residential neighborhoods. As the city has grown along the I-20 corridor, the district has expanded its facilities and programs to keep pace. Families weighing a move to Terrell typically review campus assignments and the district's academic and extracurricular offerings, and several private and charter options in the broader Kaufman County and East Dallas area add choice beyond the public system.

Getting Around

Terrell's location on Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 80 is its primary transportation advantage, placing downtown Dallas roughly 25 miles to the west and providing a direct route for commuters heading into the metro. State Highway 34 and State Highway 205 extend north and south through the city, connecting Terrell to surrounding Kaufman County communities. Terrell Municipal Airport serves general aviation, and its World War II-era history remains a point of local pride. Regional rail and bus service are limited, so most residents depend on personal vehicles, with the I-20 corridor functioning as the main artery for both commuting and commerce.

Parks & Recreation

Terrell's recreation options blend history, nature, and community space. Ben Gill Park serves as a central hub with athletic fields, playgrounds, and open space, while the Terrell Nature Reserve offers trails and a natural escape within the city. The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum and the Terrell Heritage Museum anchor the town's cultural offerings, and Historic Downtown Terrell's murals and preserved architecture invite strolling. Ham Orchards, on the city's outskirts, is a beloved seasonal destination for peaches, produce, and family outings. For larger recreation, Lake Tawakoni and other East Texas lakes lie within easy driving distance, complementing the city's own parks and trails.

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