Living in Princeton, Texas

Princeton ISD covers about 60 square miles, including Princeton and nearby Lowry Crossing, Culleoka and the west side of Lake Lavon. High school is split into Lovelady High School (grades 9-10) and Princeton Senior High School (11-12). Carrell Elementary and Banschbach Middle School opened in 2026, Abbott and Talley elementaries are scheduled for 2027 and a second high school, Anthony, for 2029, while the district projects 19,574 students by 2034. Some grades at fast-growing campuses have filled, so confirm the zoned campus and grade-level space before you buy.

For tax year 2025 a Princeton home paid about 1.88% combined (city 0.440226, Princeton ISD 1.2072, Collin County 0.149343, Collin College 0.08122 per $100). On a $280,000 home that is about $5,260 a year, or roughly $438 a month, before exemptions. The state's $140,000 school homestead exemption lowers that for owner-occupants (the city offers over-65 and disability exemptions but no general homestead percentage), and some newer subdivisions carry a PID or MUD, so confirm the taxing units for the address.

Princeton ISD scheduled Larry and Sandra Abbott Elementary and Dianne Talley Elementary to open in 2027, after Carrell Elementary and Banschbach Middle School opened in 2026.^[6]

The district's second senior high school, Philip Anthony, is scheduled for 2029, followed by an elementary and a middle school in 2030.^[6]

In October 2026 council reviewed an evaluation of all 168 miles of city streets that rated about 11 miles poor or worse, and discussed fixing the worst roads and drainage problems first.^[7]

Green Brick Partners bought about 427 acres south of County Road 398 entitled for up to 1,762 single-family homes and 225 build-to-rent homes, plus about 4 acres of commercial space.^[8]

Power to Choose lists Oncor and Texas-New Mexico Power as delivery utilities in ZIP 75407, so you choose a retail provider; enter your exact address to see which utility serves your street.^[9]

The City of Princeton bills water, sewer and trash. Apply online, by mail or in person at the Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton Drive, with your ID (and lease if renting); the residential deposit is $200, of which $150 is refundable. Community Waste Disposal collects trash weekly, and routes change for many homes starting Nov. 2, 2026.^[10]

File with the Collin Central Appraisal District through its online taxpayer portal. There is never a fee to apply, and the general filing window is January 1 to April 30.^[11]

Enroll at the Princeton ISD campus zoned to your home address, with proof of residency such as a current utility bill. Use the district's school zone maps to find the campus, and confirm the address is in Princeton ISD through the appraisal district.^[12]

You have 30 days to register your vehicle after a passing emissions inspection (Collin County is an emissions county); the closest Collin County tax office is at 2300 Bloomdale Road in McKinney. A valid out-of-state license works for up to 90 days, so book a DPS appointment for your Texas license soon after you move.^[13]