City · Texas

Little Elm, Texas

Little Elm, city, in Denton County, Texas. Little Elm had 62,727 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 36.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 46,453 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 54,820 (±67). GEOID 4843012.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

62,727

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 46,453 · ACS 2020-2024: 54,820 ±67

Median household income

$119,219

±$8,047 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476

Median home value

$420,700

±$11,723 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800

Median gross rent

$1,953

±$110 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403

Where is Little Elm and what county is it in?

Little Elm is a city in Denton County, Texas. It covers 18.5 square miles of land, 2,509 residents per square mile in 2020.

Little Elm is in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 11 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Little Elm (marked with a dot) in Denton County, Texas. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Little Elm, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 62,727 people lived in Little Elm on July 1, 2025, up 36.2% since 2020, faster than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 46,453 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 54,820 (±67).

  • July 2020→2021 +4,047 (50,830)
  • 2021→2022 +4,256 (55,086)
  • 2022→2023 +3,335 (58,421)
  • 2023→2024 +2,404 (60,825)
  • 2024→2025 +1,902 (62,727)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure Little ElmDenton CountyTexas Change since 2015-2019
Total population 54,820 ±67 979,561 30,188,424 +8,853
Households 18,883 ±663 360,392 10,992,816 +4,415
Average household size 2.90 ±0.10 2.68 2.69 −0.28
Housing units 19,778 ±692 376,754 12,128,515 +4,824

Little Elm's population since 2000

From 3,646 in 2000 to 62,727 in 2025: up 1,620.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Little Elm as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 3,646
  • 2005 (estimate) 15,481
  • 2010 Census 25,898
  • 2015 (estimate) 38,460
  • 2020 Census 46,453
  • 2025 (estimate) 62,727

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Little Elm?

The median resident of Little Elm is 35.4 years old; 28.0% are under 18 and 7.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 41.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 21.3%. 19.5% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure Little ElmDenton CountyTexas Change since 2015-2019
Median age 35.4 ±1.1 37.0 35.6 no clear change
Under 18 years 28.0% ±1.6 pts 23.4% 25.0% –
65 years and over 7.5% ±1.1 pts 11.5% 13.4% –
Male 51.4% ±1.7 pts 49.5% 49.9% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.8% ±2.5 pts 20.5% 39.7% no clear change
White alone, not Hispanic 41.3% ±3.7 pts 52.4% 39.1% −7.8 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 21.3% ±3.0 pts 10.7% 11.9% no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic 10.9% ±2.6 pts 11.0% 5.5% +5.0 pts
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.2% ±0.2 pts 0.1% 0.1% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.1 pts 0.1% 0.1% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 5.9% ±2.4 pts 4.5% 3.1% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.5% ±0.4 pts 0.6% 0.4% –
Born outside the United States 19.5% ±2.3 pts 17.4% 17.6% no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 30.4% ±3.7 pts 25.4% 35.1% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 5.7% ±1.3 pts 5.9% 6.2% –
With a disability 10.4% ±1.1 pts 9.3% 12.3% –
No health insurance coverage 11.6% ±2.4 pts 10.6% 17.1% no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 93.7% ±1.3 pts 93.6% 86.0% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 44.2% ±3.5 pts 49.4% 33.8% no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 16.3% ±2.3 pts 17.2% 12.3% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 86.4% ±2.3 pts 84.7% 86.0% –
Moved from another state in the past year 2.1% ±0.9 pts 2.5% 2.0% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Little Elm earn?

Half of Little Elm's 18,883 households earn less than $119,219 a year (±$8,047), against $111,498 in Denton County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $121,596 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.0% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure Little ElmDenton CountyTexas Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $119,219 ±$8,047 $111,498 $78,476 no clear change
Mean household income $138,057 ±$7,911 $145,847 $109,933 –
Per capita income $48,310 ±$2,927 $54,690 $40,752 no clear change
People below the poverty line 9.0% ±3.1 pts 7.1% 13.8% +3.9 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line 11.4% ±4.9 pts 7.8% 18.7% no clear change
Households receiving SNAP 4.5% ±1.6 pts 4.4% 11.4% –
Households with a computer 99.8% ±0.2 pts 98.7% 96.3% –
Households with a broadband subscription 98.3% ±0.9 pts 95.7% 91.4% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Little Elm?

Owners occupy 70.1% of Little Elm's occupied homes and renters 29.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $420,700 by its owner (±$11,723). The median renter pays $1,953 a month including utilities, and 35.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure Little ElmDenton CountyTexas Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $420,700 ±$11,723 $437,200 $283,800 +$106,627
Median gross rent $1,953 ±$110 $1,728 $1,403 no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 35.6% ±7.5 pts 41.3% 42.3% no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $2,653 ±$87 $2,676 $2,106 –
Owner-occupied homes 70.1% ±3.3 pts 65.5% 62.6% −6.4 pts
Renter-occupied homes 29.9% ±3.3 pts 34.5% 37.4% –
Housing units 19,778 ±692 376,754 12,128,515 +4,824
Homeowner vacancy rate 1.4% ±1.0 pts 0.7% 1.1% –
Rental vacancy rate 1.2% ±1.0 pts 4.8% 7.7% –
Single-family detached homes 74.4% ±2.6 pts 68.8% 64.4% –
Mobile homes 3.3% ±0.8 pts 2.4% 6.4% –
Built 2020 or later 13.6% ±2.7 pts 6.8% 4.0% –
Built 2010 to 2019 41.7% ±3.3 pts 25.9% 17.4% –
Built 1939 or earlier 0.4% ±0.4 pts 0.8% 3.1% –
Households with no vehicle 2.3% ±1.4 pts 3.5% 5.4% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Little Elm building?

Builders took permits for 414 new housing units in Little Elm in 2025 (414 in single-family houses), 6.6 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.

  • 2019 962 units
  • 2020 1,498 units
  • 2021 1,555 units
  • 2022 1,291 units
  • 2023 928 units
  • 2024 850 units
  • 2025 414 units

Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Little Elm work and get to work?

63.6% of Little Elm's workers drive alone and 27.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure Little ElmDenton CountyTexas Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 72.9% ±2.4 pts 71.8% 65.3% –
Unemployment rate 6.6% ±1.7 pts 4.0% 5.3% no clear change
Drove alone to work 63.6% ±3.4 pts 65.5% 71.4% –
Carpooled 8.0% ±2.3 pts 7.8% 10.0% –
Public transportation 0.1% ±0.1 pts 0.3% 0.9% –
Walked 0.3% ±0.3 pts 1.2% 1.5% –
Worked from home 27.2% ±2.8 pts 23.5% 14.4% +20.0 pts
Mean travel time to work 34.6 min ±1.8 28.1 min 26.7 min no clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What census tracts are in Little Elm?

7 census tracts lie mostly in Little Elm, and 14 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $79,423 (Tract 201.26) to $159,952 (Tract 201.12).

Census tracts in Little Elm, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (the 12 with the most residents inside it; every tract on the full list)
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Little Elm
Tract 201.27Denton County7,840 $94,931 $311,70098%
Tract 201.20Denton County7,023 $121,630 $361,300100%
Tract 201.32Denton County6,236 $152,431 $459,30095%
Tract 201.33Denton County7,184 $149,880 $469,50070%
Tract 201.19Denton County4,035 $113,513 $350,700100%
Tract 201.26Denton County3,825 $79,423 $303,200100%
Tract 201.12Denton County2,985 $159,952 $447,70097%
Tract 201.34Denton County7,469 $160,650 $483,70033%
Tract 201.25Denton County7,913 $143,750 $433,50027%
Tract 201.23Denton County11,560 $106,083 $389,40013%
Tract 201.15Denton County6,946 $130,107 $374,00021%
Tract 201.30Denton County4,211 $134,840 $497,10032%

Every census tract in Little Elm, with its figures

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Little Elm) · Census block assignment files

How does Little Elm compare with other places in Texas?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Little Elm is the 638th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 66th-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.

Little Elm ranks 116th of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Little Elm's rank in Texas (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate66th1,224
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)68th784
Residents per square mile144th979
Median household income116th933
Per capita income167th978
Median home value113th950
Median gross rent83rd852
Poverty rate556th716
Bachelor's degree or higher145th877
Median age560th973
Owner-occupied share518th973
Work from home61st557
Travel time to work115th976

Little Elm's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)

Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Little Elm with other places

Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How reliable are the figures for Little Elm?

8 of the 57 figures for Little Elm on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.

The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Little Elm are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Little Elm.