Population1,297,179 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Growing Cities with Room for Nature
Collin County, TexasCollin County brings together major North Texas cities, smaller communities and outdoor spaces within the Dallas–Fort Worth region. McKinney is the county seat, while Plano is its largest city. The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary offers a nature-focused stop in McKinney, and Lavon Lake is another prominent feature of the county landscape. Start with a specific community, then build a visit around the places and experiences that interest you most.
Collin County at a Glance
Population1,297,179 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatMcKinney
Largest CityPlano
Established1846
ZIP Codes43
Total Area886 sq mi (2,290 km 2 )
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 75 U.S. Highway 380 Dallas North Tollway State Highway 190 / President George Bush Turnpike State Highway 5 State Highway 66 State Highway 78 State Highway 121 / Sam Rayburn Tollway State Highway 160 State Highway 205 State Highway 289 Spur 195 Spur 399
Area Code214 / 430 / 469 / 903 / 940 / 945 / 972
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Collin County
Established in 1846, Collin County was named for Collin McKinney, who helped draft and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. The county seat also carries his name. Indigenous history in the area long predates the county, with archaeological sites documented near Lavon Lake and Sister Grove Creek. Today’s many municipalities belong to a much larger metropolitan region, but the county’s name and early geography offer starting points for understanding the history beneath that modern urban map.
The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary combines indoor exhibits with trails through a nature preserve in McKinney. It offers one way to add outdoor time to an itinerary centered on the county’s cities. Keep municipal boundaries in mind when looking up parks, events or public services: the correct city website is often the most useful source. Group nearby stops together and review current visitor information for individual destinations before traveling.
What Shapes Us
A Shared Namesake
Both Collin County and McKinney honor Collin McKinney. His connection to the Texas Declaration of Independence links the county’s name to the Republic’s beginnings.
Nature in McKinney
The Heard combines a natural science museum with a wildlife sanctuary. Exhibits and trails offer complementary ways to learn about the surrounding natural environment.
Many Municipalities
Plano, McKinney, Allen and other communities each have their own local services and destinations. Planning by city makes a large county easier to navigate.
City life and natural spaces share a North Texas home.
My Local Guide
Collin County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Collin County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Law enforcement Democrat, GOP Air Force vet upend partisan script in race for new San Antonio U.S. House district
The 35th Congressional District was redrawn to elect a Republican, but Latino voters’ brewing leftward shift has put…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
Commissioners Court Court meetings, agendas, and decisions.
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Food, housing & family support
North Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Collin County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
North Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Farmersville ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Collin County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Plano — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Plano — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott And White Medical Center Mckinney — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Legent Surgical Hospital Plano — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Medical Center Of Mckinney — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Medical City Plano — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Methodist Celina Medical Center — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Methodist Mckinney Hospital — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Methodist Richardson Medical Center — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
County & local resources
Sheriff/Jail
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 2 serving Collin County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
No qualifying TPWD state park open for ordinary public visits was verified for Collin County in the reviewed sources as of October 3, 2026. This is a limitation of this guide’s verified list, not a statement that none exists. Other sourced outdoor options appear in the local directory below.
Trails
Selected local walking, hiking, cycling or paddling options. Check the linked operator or local tourism information for access, fees and current conditions.
County & local resources
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Charles J Rike Memorial Library
Library locations, collections and public services.
Rita & Truett Smith Public Library
Library locations, collections and public services.
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Collin County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 199th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 219th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 296th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 366th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 380th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 401st District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 416th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Collin County — 417th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Collin County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
County & local resources
Texoma Area Paratransit System – TAPS
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Dallas -Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
Frisco Post Office — East Frisco Carrier Annex
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Collin County veterans service contact — (972) 881-3060
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Employment Explore open jobs and find your calling at Collin County.
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
McKinney is the county seat of Collin County, Texas.
The county overview lists Plano as its largest community.
The total area is 886 sq mi (2,290 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Collin County government website for county offices and public information.
The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney offers both. See the museum’s visitor information for details.
He helped draft and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Both Collin County and the county seat, McKinney, bear his name.
For office information, start with Collin County — Tax Assessor. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
The county links residents to Collin County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the county’s page for Collin County — District Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
For departmental information, use Collin County — Sheriff/Jail. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Harvest at the Masonic is one option. Seasonal dining in a restored historic McKinney building.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary — Plan a nature-focused family outing in McKinney. Check admission and any special-event ticket requirements.
- Bonnie Wenk Park — Enjoy the all-abilities playground and other play areas in McKinney; check current park conditions before visiting.
- Interurban Railway Museum — Explore Plano’s railway history and its historic electric railway car. Confirm museum opening hours before your trip.
Restaurants
- Harvest at the Masonic — Seasonal dining in a restored historic McKinney building.
- Local Yocal BBQ & Grill — A McKinney dining stop for smoked meats and grilled dishes.
- Fontina Ristorante — Italian dining in McKinney, including pasta dishes.
Shopping & Retail
- Antique Company Mall — Browse antiques and home furnishings in downtown McKinney.
- Red Zeppelin Records — A downtown McKinney music-shopping stop.
- Fair & Square Imports — Browse gifts in downtown McKinney.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Apricot Lane Boutique — Clothing shopping in downtown McKinney.
- Arabella’s — A downtown McKinney clothing boutique.
- Cotton Hearts — Browse clothing at this downtown McKinney shop.
Outdoor Fun
- Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve — Explore Plano’s paved and natural-surface trails. Check current park conditions and rules before planning your route.
- Wilson Creek Trail — Follow McKinney’s connected greenway through city parkland; consult trail maps and current access notices.
- Towne Lake Park — A McKinney park stop connected to the Wilson Creek trail network. Check facility information when planning specific activities.
Free Things To Do
- Interurban Railway Museum — Visit the railway-history attraction included in Plano’s free-activities guide. Check current museum hours.
- Carpenter Park Skate Park — Use the free skate park’s ramps, bowls and street-style features. Follow posted equipment and safety rules.
- Trails in Legacy sculptures — View the cattle-drive sculptures around Baccus Plaza at The Shops at Legacy. Shopping and dining are optional paid activities.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.