Anna is the next frontier north, the place the US-75 growth corridor is heading as it pushes past Melissa and McKinney. Sitting about 40 miles north of Dallas, Anna recently ranked as the fifth-fastest-growing city in the entire country, with a population that has climbed 183 percent since 2016 to nearly 32,000 and is projected to hit 100,000 by 2050. What makes Anna compelling is the combination: home prices below Melissa and McKinney today(2026), paired with one of the largest master-planned development pipelines in North Texas signaling serious long-term upside. For value buyers who can see where the corridor is going, Anna is the early-stage play.

The master-planned wave is the upside story, and it is enormous. The headliner is Sherley Farms, a $1.5 billion, roughly 3,000-home wellness-focused community built around an actively managed organic farm, which broke ground in 2026 with a builder lineup that includes Highland Homes, Bloomfield, Perry, and Drees. Alongside it, AnaCapri brings resort-style lagoon living to Anna ISD, and Liberty Hills adds another 1,800 homes near US-75. This scale of investment, billions of dollars committing to Anna's future, is exactly the kind of signal that precedes long-term appreciation in a frontier market.

The schools here require an honest look. Anna ISD is one of Texas's fastest-growing districts, now a 5A system with more than 6,000 students, backed by $50 million in bonds and aggressive campus construction, with a sixth elementary opening in 2027. But candor matters here: the district is still working to raise its overall academic rating during this growth surge, so the smart move is to evaluate the specific campus rather than the district as a whole. Anna ISD also runs a distinctive four-day school week to improve teacher retention, a feature some families love and others should weigh carefully. The Anna High Coyotes recently won their first state title, a point of real community pride.

The parks and lifestyle are stronger than the city's size suggests. Slayter Creek Park anchors the system with a skatepark, seasonal splash pad, disc golf course, and a trail network being built citywide, while Natural Springs Park offers a wooded green space with a pond, playground, and dog park. Downtown Anna is expanding, with new local dining like The Gin and Tenders Smokehouse slated for 2027 and chains such as Texas Roadhouse and Chipotle have already arrived. For buyers who want land, communities like Capitol Hill offer 1-plus-acre lots with no HOA and the freedom to bring your own builder, a genuine semi-rural option. You can explore the city's parks at the City of Anna.

The housing stock and market favor value and patience. The median runs roughly $350,000 to $410,000 at about $157 to $175 per square foot, which is below Melissa and McKinney, in a range that stretches from $230,000 entry homes to acreage estates past $2 million. The market is balanced, with homes selling in 55 to 106 days and prices holding far steadier year-over-year than some frontier neighbors. The honest notes: the massive incoming supply gives buyers leverage and may soften prices short-term even as it builds long-term value, the developing school district calls for campus-level consideration, the far-north location means a real commute, and MUD fees apply in newer communities. For a value-and-upside buyer, that adds up to opportunity.

What Makes Anna Special:

• The Next Frontier North: Recently the fifth-fastest-growing city in America, up 183 percent since 2016 and projected to reach 100,000 by 2050.
• Massive Master-Planned Upside: Billions in development, led by the $1.5 billion Sherley Farms and the resort-lagoon AnaCapri, signal strong long-term appreciation potential.
• Value Below Melissa and McKinney: A median around $350,000 to $410,000 on largely new construction, with options from $230,000 entry homes to acreage estates.
• A Growing Park System: Slayter Creek and Natural Springs Parks, a citywide trail network, and a downtown expansion bringing new dining by 2027.
• A Developing District: Fast-growing Anna ISD is building campuses and raising its rating, with a distinctive four-day week, so evaluate the specific campus.