Arlington Property Management

Ready to Invest in Arlington, Texas? Here’s What You Need to Know

Arlington is one of the hidden gems of Texas. You’ll find it resting alongside some of the state’s largest cities, yet it somehow retains its own unique flavor. And when it comes to real estate investing, it’s one of the most lucrative locales in the area.

Location

Arlington has the distinct privilege of sitting smack dab in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth. During non-rush hour commutes, you can be in both cities in less than 20 minutes. Garland and Plano are each only 30 miles from Fort Worth, while Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City can all be reached in several hours via car. Arlington is made up of 99 square miles and is located in Tarrant County.

Population and Demographics

Arlington’s population is just shy of 400,000 (coming in at 398,854 as of last count). It’s also a fairly young city, with just 21 percent of the population over the age of 55.

Approximately 39 percent of the population is white, while 30 percent is Hispanic or Latino. Roughly 22 percent of the population is black, while Asians make up 6.5 percent.

The median household income is $60,571.

Area History

Arlington, like other cities in the area, began as a frontier fort when Texas was still considered a republic. It was framed along the Texas and Pacific railway and quickly grew as a cotton-ginning and farming destination in the region. By the early 20th century, it had all of the infrastructure needed to succeed (city water, electricity, natural gas, and telephone services). A public school system quickly followed, and the population “soared” to 3,031 by 1925.

By 1950, the population doubled to 7,692. Then it increased 11-fold to 90,229 in 1970, 261,000 in 1990, and nearly 400,000 today.

Education

An impressive 85.2 percent of the population of Arlington has a high school diploma, while 30.3 percent have graduated from college. The top employment industries in Arlington include healthcare (12.2 percent), retail (12 percent), manufacturing (10 percent), education (9 percent), and accommodation (8.4 percent).

Arlington is home to a number of public and private colleges and universities. This includes the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), which has over 40,000 students. Tarrant County College also has its Southeast Campus in Arlington. Private institutions include Arlington Baptist University, Kaplan College, and a branch of the University of Phoenix.

Arlington residents belong to one of five independent school districts: Arlington ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, Mansfield ISD, Kennedale ISD, and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. There are also dozens of private and public charter schools in the city.

Things to Do

Arlington, Texas is just a short drive from both Fort Worth and Dallas. However, there’s still plenty to do inside of the city limits. This includes taking in Rangers games at Globe Life Park, Top O’Hill Terrace, River Legacy Park, Six Flags Over Texas, Texas Live! and numerous bars, breweries, and small concert venues.

Home Prices and Trends

The median home value in Arlington is $218,911. More than 60 percent of homes are priced under $260,000, while less than 4 percent of homes are priced above $518,000. This makes Arlington one of the most affordable places to live in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metroplex.

There are an estimated 135,333 homes and apartments in Arlington, 60 percent of which are single-family residences. Over 54 percent of homes are owner-occupied, while 45 percent are rental properties. The average market rent is $1,730 per month.

Is Arlington the Best Place for You?

Arlington might not have the same bright lights as Dallas or Fort Worth, but it’s still a great place to buy real estate. It’s especially enticing if you’re looking for:

• Affordability. When compared to Dallas or Fort Worth, Arlington is significantly more affordable. You’ll get a lot more “bang for your buck” by purchasing a property here.
• Location. As the old saying goes, the three most important factors in real estate are location, location, and location. And it’s hard to find a better location in all of Texas. Situated a short commute from both Dallas and Fort Worth, there’s always something to do.
• Upside. Arlington isn’t small by any means. However, in terms of real estate values, it’s much more conveniently priced than its neighbors to the east and west. This provides plenty of upside for ROI-conscious investors.

If you’re looking to purchase a family home or investment property, Arlington is a great location to consider. Contact our team of Arlington real estate professionals and we’ll guide you through the process of finding the perfect property!