McKinney, located in Collin County, Texas, serves as the county’s governmental center. As the third most populous city in Collin County, it follows Plano and Frisco. Positioned as a suburb within the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, McKinney is situated approximately 32 miles north of Dallas.
William Davis, the owner of 3,000 acres of land in the area that is now McKinney, generously provided 120 acres for the establishment of the town on March 24, 1849. A decade later, McKinney was officially incorporated, and in 1913, the town implemented a commission form of government.
The city boasts a total area of 62.9 square miles (162.9 km2), with a mere 0.7 square mile (1.7 km2) or 1.07% of it being covered in water, according to the United States Census Bureau.
McKinney falls within the humid subtropical zone.
July typically experiences the highest temperatures, with the warmest recorded temperature being 118 °F (48 °C) in 1936. Conversely, January is usually the coolest month, with the lowest recorded temperature reaching −7 °F (−22 °C) in 1930. The month with the highest average precipitation is typically May.
The region experiences a subtropical climate, characterized by sweltering summers and mild winters. The Sun Belt location results in high temperatures, often made more uncomfortable by humidity. Although winters are generally mild, rare snowstorms can occur. Spring brings an increase in precipitation, accompanied by Gulf Coast winds.
The population of the city in 2020, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, was 195,308, showing an increase from the city’s population of 54,369 in the year 2000.
Based on the 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the city, the leading employers in the area include Raytheon Intelligence & Space, McKinney Independent School District, Collin County, Globe Life, Independent Financial, City of McKinney, Encore Wire Corporation, Collin College, Baylor Scott & White McKinney Hospital, and Medical City McKinney Hospital.
Throughout the year, the city holds numerous major events that span multiple blocks of the historic downtown area. Some of these events include:
Downtown is home to several festivals throughout the year, each offering a unique experience. Krewe of Barkus kicks off the fun with a pre-Mardi Gras celebration centered around dogs, featuring a parade, costumes, and vendor booths. In April, Arts in Bloom takes over the downtown area with a diverse array of local and visiting artists, as well as wine and food vendors. Texas Music Revolution brings country music fans together in June for a two-day festival featuring concerts from over 90 performers on 20 stages, accompanied by food and drinks. The 4th of July sees the Red White and Boom Parade & Fireworks Festival, which includes a morning parade and an evening fireworks display and festival in western McKinney. Oktoberfest, held in late September, offers a German-themed experience with authentic food, beer, live music, games, and vendors on the downtown square. Lastly, Home for the Holidays takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving, shutting down the downtown area for a Christmas-themed celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony, games, and shopping at local stores.
The McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is located in the Collin County courthouse, a historic building in downtown McKinney that was originally constructed in 1875 and renovated in 1927. With a seating capacity of 427, MPAC frequently features live performances including off-Broadway plays, comedy acts, and musical concerts. It serves as a focal point for major events, festivals, and other activities in the downtown area.
Situated in the 1911 Federal building in the heart of downtown, the Collin County History Museum offers free entry on select days and showcases a comprehensive collection of the region’s history in Collin County.
The McKinney Farmers Market takes place on Saturday mornings at the Chestnut Square Heritage Village. In 2023, it was recognized as the top Farmers Market in the Southwest United States by the American Farmland Trust.
McKinney’s two comprehensive libraries, the Roy & Helen Hall Memorial Library in the historic downtown area and the John & Judy Gay Library located on Eldorado Parkway in the west, jointly circulated 1.6 million materials during the 2022 fiscal year.
The college Division II National Championship game takes place at the McKinney Independent School District football stadium, a massive 12,000 seat arena.
The governing body of McKinney, the City Council, is composed of seven individuals. Two members and the mayor are elected by the entire city, while the remaining four members are elected by specific districts within the city.
Approximately 66% of McKinney residents fall under the jurisdiction of the McKinney Independent School District, while the remaining 33% are served by the Frisco, Prosper, Allen, Melissa, Lovejoy, or Celina Independent School Districts.
The city’s schools have achieved impressive recognition, with six of its seven districts ranking among the top 5% in Niche’s 2023 Best School Districts in America list, which evaluated 10,932 districts nationwide. Prosper ISD stood out at #82, followed closely by Allen ISD at #92, Lovejoy ISD at #103, Frisco ISD at #150, Melissa ISD at #433, and McKinney ISD at #461.
The McKinney Courier-Gazette is a newspaper that in McKinney and focuses Collin County. It is under the ownership of American Community Newspapers and has a daily readership of 4,400 and a Sunday readership of 26,400.
McKinney benefited from convenient accessibility, thanks to the presence of two major U.S. highways, US 75 and US 380, which traverse the city. In addition, the Sam Rayburn Tollway, managed by the North Texas Tollway Authority, runs nearby, providing a direct route to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.