Introduction to Princeton’s Growth
Princeton, a small city 10 miles east of McKinney, has been experiencing rapid growth. Madelyn Awalt thought she had found the perfect home for her family in Princeton, but problems started the day they moved into the new, $285,000 house nearly four years ago. The dishwasher would shut off mid-cycle, and appliances would trip a breaker. Awalt eventually replaced the electrical panel and wiring in the house. Then came the mold, so severe that she and her family spent this summer living in an extended-stay hotel, waiting three months for their home to be treated.
The Consequences of Rapid Growth
The Awalts are among the scores of residents complaining about construction and drainage problems with new homes and existing properties brought by the new developments. Her home’s developer did not respond to a request for comment. Fast-growing communities in North Texas are struggling to keep up with the influx of new residents. Princeton is one example of how city leaders are pausing growth to assess how to manage it. As Princeton stares down the expiration of the moratorium on new development at the end of November, city leaders are racing to complete assessments of infrastructure needs and bolster development oversight.
The City’s Response to Growth
"They’re trying to sell you a piece of the American Dream," Awalt said. "You would think that you’re not trying to buy a house that isn’t going to last you or a house that’s going to be riddled with problems." Princeton made national headlines in May when the U.S. Census Bureau named it the country’s fastest-growing city, expanding its population by 30% in one year. The city had just under 7,000 residents in 2010. Today, it has more than 46,000, according to city estimates. The city is decades ahead of its projected population growth. Princeton’s last comprehensive plan forecasted that the city would reach 40,000 residents by 2050. The city is currently updating that plan, which was adopted six years ago.
Causes of the Growth
City leaders attributed the supersonic growth to Princeton’s relative affordability. The city’s median home sale price stood just shy of $300,000 in July, compared to $490,000 for Collin County as a whole. As larger cities in Collin County near their build-out, developers and buyers are increasingly turning to smaller but fast-growing cities like Princeton, which offer more affordable options, said local real estate agent Shelyna Tinglin.
At just after 8:00 p.m. traffic remains backed up on U.S. 380, looking eastbound toward 2nd Street, on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Princeton, Texas.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
The Moratorium on New Developments
The city first put in place a moratorium on new residential developments last September so it could assess its infrastructure and public safety needs, city officials said at the time. That development freeze has been twice extended but is set to expire Nov. 30, as a new state law requires a two-year cool-off period before another moratorium. "Basic infrastructure is really what drove the decision and the need to go into the moratorium," said Princeton City Council member Terrance Johnson. The city’s water and roadway infrastructure, as well as public safety resources, all need bolstering, he said.
Plans for the Future
Since the moratorium went into effect, Princeton has begun assessment and planning for new water and road infrastructure, including a 3 million-gallon elevated storage tank, and approved hiring of additional police staff, according to a presentation at the June 23 city council meeting.
Princeton Police and Fire Rescue personnel respond to a call in the Monticello Park subdivision on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Princeton, Texas.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
City Leaders’ Efforts
City leaders are also set to vote this month on a $153 million spending plan for the next fiscal year that includes $70.4 million for capital improvement projects around the city, as well as increasing allocations for the fire and police departments by 35% and 10%, respectively. Princeton City Council member Cristina Todd has been spearheading an overhaul of city ordinances on development standards and procedures. She said she has also been pushing the city to complete a stormwater assessment in response to complaints about inadequate drainage systems.
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