Melissa, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Melissa is a small city in Texas with a population of 17,497. Residents earn $137,875 per year, which is 83% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
17,497 Population 1,527/sq mi density
$137,875 Median Income $46,119 per capita
$430,300 Home Value $435,030 Zillow
$2,341 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
46 Violent Crime/100K 1,397 property/100K
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$137,875 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$430,300 home value, $2,341/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
46 violent crimes/100K (88% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
52.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $137,875
83% higher than US avg
Home Value $430,300
53% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 46/100K
88% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 52.2%
55% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,341
101% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.6%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.7%
86% lower than US avg

How Melissa Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population17,497
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density1,527/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

A+
Median Income$137,875
Per Capita$46,119
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty1.7%
County GDP$115,358M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$430,300
Rent$2,341
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$435,030

Crime

F
Violent46/100K
Property1,397/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault46/100K
Burglary246/100K

Health

Obesity34.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI42 (Good)
Elevation655 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+52.2%
High School+94.6%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 43%
Commute32 min
EV Stations2
Libraries16

Is Melissa a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melissa receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Melissa stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melissa is $137,875, which is significantly higher than the national average — 83% above $75,149. This places Melissa among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melissa is $430,300, making it a premium housing market at 53% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,341 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Melissa is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 46 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,397 per 100,000, 29% below the national average.

Education

Melissa is a highly educated community — 52.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 94.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Melissa enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Melissa has a population of 17,497 with a density of 1,527 people per square mile. The median age is 36.5 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66.5%), with 17.7% Black.

Population

17,497
Total Population
1,527
People / sq mi
36.5yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
11.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Melissa vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.5%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.5%
23% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Melissa vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melissa is $137,875, which is 83% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Melissa vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$137,875
83% above US avg
Per Capita Income$46,119
Avg Weekly Wage$1,694
IRS Avg AGI$129,628

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.7%
86% below US avg
Establishments (County)34,830
County GDP$115,358M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,668
Healthcare4,398
Retail2,985
Manufacturing491

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,750
207% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.4 min
Work from Home29.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Melissa is $430,300, 53% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,341 (101% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $435,030.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$430,300
53% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$435,030
Median List Price$457,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$457,500
$/Sq Ft$186
Homes Sold17
Sale-to-List Ratio97.3%
Price Drops36.8%
Inventory133

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,341
101% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,746

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,750
207% above US avg
Effective Rate2.50%
In Melissa, 34.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 20.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Melissa vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.6%
8% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma9.8%
COPD4.7%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity20.4%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate73.9%
Premature Death4,576/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access93.0%
Healthcare Facilities4,398
Melissa has a violent crime rate of 46 per 100,000 residents, 88% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,397 per 100,000 (29% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Melissa vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent46.1/100K
88% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault46.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,397.2/100K
29% below US avg
Burglary245.7/100K
Theft1,059.4/100K
Vehicle Theft92.1/100K
Arson15.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)72
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Melissa has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 83°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average83°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation655 ft (200 m)
Area11.5 sq mi (29.7 km²)
Population Density1,527/sq mi
Coordinates33.2885°N, 96.5576°W
County FIPS48085
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 52.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 11.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.3%
D 43.1%

Winner: Republican by 11.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+52.2%
55% above US avg
High School+94.6%
School Test Score5.10
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,527/sq mi
Total Area11.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities4,398
Restaurants2,668
Retail Stores2,985

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)72
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.4 min
Work from Home29.3%

Nearby Cities

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