Rowlett, TX

Rowlett started out as a quiet farming community along the railroad in the late nineteenth century, surrounded by cotton fields, small family stores, and country churches. A couple of historic cotton gin buildings still stand today, but the town’s biggest turning point came in 1971 with the completion of Lake Ray Hubbard. The massive new reservoir reshaped the landscape and transformed a sleepy rural outpost into a thriving lakeside suburb on the eastern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

ATTRMichael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0

Because of the lake, Rowlett has a unique layout spread across two peninsulas with over thirty miles of shoreline. Most of the city sits in Dallas County, while the eastern edge reaches into Rockwall County along Dalrock Road. Commuters rely heavily on the President George Bush Turnpike to head north or south, while Lakeview Parkway takes drivers straight across the water into Rockwall. In the middle of it all sits the historic downtown district along Main Street, where City Hall, the public library, and the Downtown Rowlett Green form a welcoming civic hub.

ATTRBarbara Brannon / CC BY 2.0

Commuting into Dallas is simple thanks to the Downtown Rowlett Station, which serves as the eastern terminus for the DART Blue Line. Having light rail right in town makes it easy to head into the city for work or catch a connection out to DFW Airport without dealing with highway traffic. Downtown is also a social focal point, with the Green hosting live outdoor music, community movie nights, and seasonal markets. Everyday shopping, grocery stores, and casual dining spots line the main corridors along Highway 66 and the turnpike.

ATTRMichael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0

Outdoor recreation is one of the biggest draws for people moving to the area. Spots like Scenic Point Park make it easy to launch a kayak or paddleboard onto Lake Ray Hubbard, while Pecan Grove Park offers expansive green spaces, athletic fields, and walking trails that host popular city gatherings throughout the year. With quiet residential neighborhoods, miles of water views, and ongoing investments in its downtown district, Rowlett gives residents a comfortable lakeside setting with convenient access to the rest of the DFW area.