Plano Report
Allie Beth Allman & Associates
Located in Collin County, just north of Dallas, Plano has consistently been ranked among the top cities in the United States by various national publications, a fitting tribute to one of the most popular points in DFW.
It’s also a perfect spot for people watching as well. Some of Plano’s best-known celebrities include cyclist Lance Armstrong, worldwide gymnastic champion Nastia Liukin and young actor Michael Urie, of “Ugly Betty” fame. You never know who you’ll spot around the area.
The city got its name for its relatively flat terrain (“the north-central Texas plains”) that surrounds the area.
Nowadays, there’s a healthy sense of nightlife excitement ... in venues such as the Downtown Plano Arts District, as well as performing arts and galleries plus unique shops and restaurants, set against an exciting backdrop of historic buildings, the Plano Station Dart Rail and sweeping Haggard Park.
It boasts multiple parks and preserves with hiking and biking trails, playgrounds and athletic fields where families enjoy spending quality recreational time together. The city also features six libraries that offer programming for toddlers through seniors.
Annual events include the Plano Balloon Festival and Plano International Festival. The city has a significant Asian population and, along with Houston, represents the state’s largest concentration of Chinese Americans.
Retail, restaurants and relaxation are abundant, a key ingredient for a comfortable life in the sprawling suburban community.
Commuting into Downtown Dallas happens daily on a variety of modern thoroughfares including the North Dallas Tollway, and the North Central Expressway (U.S. 75). North Texas’ largest city is only about 30 minutes away from Plano.
The Shops at Willow Bend is just one of several upscale centers in Plano that have helped families stay in fashion, in shape and in touch.
The Shops at Legacy and Legacy West are both mixed-use destinations with boutiques, more than eight acres of parks and trails, urban-style homes and a full-service hotel. Some of the retail includes Kendra Scott, Impeccable Pig, Urban Outfitters, Bonobos, Coach, J. Crew, Johnny Was and more.
Everything from five-star restaurants to family-friendly fast-food is within a short drive in Plano.
DART’s Red and Orange light rail lines serve the Plano community, making transportation to area sporting events, downtown conventions or major entertainment a relative breeze.
The well-respected Plano Independent School District serves most of the school-aged children who live in the city. The district includes 70 public institutions with a unique high school system where teens in grades 9 and 10 attend a high school and grades 11-12 attend senior high.
There are also 16 private schools that educate Plano children, and a pair of campuses for Collin College and a branch of Southern Methodist University are available for higher education needs.
The city is home to some of the finest healthcare facilities in the U.S., with specialized care for heart, spine and pediatrics.
The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, Texas Back Institute Plano, and Children’s Health at Legacy are among the hospitals and centers within city limits.
JCPenney, Pizza Hut, Cinemark Theatres, Frito-Lay and Dr Pepper Snapple Group are among the companies that have corporate headquarters in Plano.
Toyota Motor North America moved the company headquarters from Torrance, California, to Plano in 2017.
The city is mostly in Collin County with a small sliver extending into Denton County to the north. As of 2020, Plano has an estimated population of over 288,000.
