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Working as an Agent in Anna and Melissa, TX: Two of the Fastest-Growing U.S. Cities
Short answer. The Census Bureau ranks Melissa fourth and Anna fifth among the fastest-growing U.S. cities of 20,000 people or more for mid-2024 to mid-2025. Both are in Collin County, and both have many buyers who are new to the area. That is a market where explaining the process clearly wins trust.
The growth in the numbers
Melissa had 1,350 residents in 2000, 4,695 in 2010 and 13,901 in 2020. Anna had 16,896 in 2020. Both cities are in Collin County.
CBS Texas reports that Celina, Princeton, Melissa and Anna ranked first, third, fourth and fifth among U.S. cities of 20,000 or more for mid-2024 to mid-2025. Growth rates for the top five ranged from almost 15% to almost 25%.
What fast growth does to the work
Many buyers here have just moved to Texas. They do not know how Texas contracts, option periods or special districts work. That is our reading, not a Census statement. It means the agent who explains each step in plain words has an edge.
Newer neighborhoods can carry a PID or MUD. Check every address and give the notice before the contract. Our Prosper and Celina page explains the rules. We have not verified which Anna or Melissa neighborhoods are in a district, so we do not name any.
Different school districts, different towns
Most of Anna is in Anna ISD, with a smaller section in Blue Ridge ISD. Melissa is served by Melissa ISD. Confirm the district by address.
A little history to talk about
Anna has the oldest surviving railroad station in Texas, the Anna Depot, built in 1885. Older downtown streets and new subdivisions sit in the same city. Clients often like to hear which is which.
What the Census says about the homes in Anna and Melissa
| Anna | Melissa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (5-year estimate) | 24,330 | 20,136 |
| Housing units | 8,111 | 6,266 |
| Homes built since 2010 | 58% | 73% |
| Homes built before 1990 | 5% | 3% |
| Median year built | 2012 | 2015 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78% | 89% |
| Vacant housing units | 4.4% | 1.5% |
| Median home value | $351,700 | $454,000 |
| Median gross rent | $2,105 | $2,532 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020 to 2024. These are estimates with margins of error, and 5-year figures lag the newer city estimates quoted elsewhere on this page.
What this suggests
- Anna: 58% of homes were built since 2010, and the median home dates to 2012. Most of your files will be newer homes: builder contracts, special-district notices and buyers who are new to Texas.
- Melissa: 73% of homes were built since 2010, and the median home dates to 2015. Most of your files will be newer homes: builder contracts, special-district notices and buyers who are new to Texas.
- Melissa: 89% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, so few files involve rentals.
- Melissa: Only 1.5% of housing units are vacant, which is a tight market.
This is our reading of the numbers, not a Census statement. Every neighborhood differs.
Home sales snapshot, July 2026
These are closed sales of single-family homes in the month, from the multiple listing service, with the same month a year earlier for comparison.
| Anna | Melissa | |
|---|---|---|
| Closed sales | 42 | 28 |
| Closed sales, year earlier | 52 | 34 |
| Median price | $326,995 | $450,000 |
| Median price, year earlier | $356,995 | $465,000 |
| Average days on market | 73 | 63 |
| Sold price as share of list price | 93.2% | 96.7% |
| Active listings | 274 | 133 |
| Months of inventory | 6.1 | 5.1 |
- Anna: Median price was $326,995, down 8% from a year earlier. Homes sold for 93.2% of list price on average after 73 days on market, and 274 homes were listed, about 6.1 months of supply. As a rough rule of thumb, that is a pace that tends to favor buyers.
- Melissa: Median price was $450,000, down 3% from a year earlier. Homes sold for 96.7% of list price on average after 63 days on market, and 133 homes were listed, about 5.1 months of supply. As a rough rule of thumb, that is a fairly balanced pace.
Source: North Texas Real Estate Information System (NTREIS) single-family MLS data for July 2026, prepared by the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University. One month of data. Small cities have few sales, so figures can swing a lot from month to month. Sales by builders and sales not listed in the NTREIS MLS are not counted. Treat this as background, not a price for any particular home, and check current figures before you quote them.
Look-up list for Anna and Melissa files
Search the property address on the appraisal district site to see which county tax roll it sits on. Check it on every file.
- Collin Central Appraisal District
- School district: use the district's own address lookup for the exact address
- Special district: ask whether the address sits in a PID or MUD before the contract
Common questions
Are Anna and Melissa in Collin County?
Yes, both.
How fast are Anna and Melissa growing?
The Census Bureau ranked Melissa fourth and Anna fifth among U.S. cities of 20,000 or more for mid-2024 to mid-2025, as reported by CBS Texas.
Which school district serves Anna?
Most of Anna is in Anna ISD, with a smaller section in Blue Ridge ISD.
Sources
- Anna, Texas (Wikipedia, citing the U.S. Census Bureau)
- Melissa, Texas (Wikipedia, citing the U.S. Census Bureau)
- CBS Texas: Celina, Princeton, Melissa and Anna top the fastest-growing cities list (May 20, 2026)
- Texas Real Estate Research Center: Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020 to 2024 (via Census Reporter)
- North Texas Real Estate Information System (NTREIS) single-family MLS data for July 2026, prepared by the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University
Education only. Not legal, tax or financial advice. Population figures are U.S. Census Bureau counts or estimates as reported by the sources above. Confirm licensing and disclosure rules with the Texas Real Estate Commission and your broker.