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Pilot Point is a city in Denton County, Texas, and the oldest community in the county. It was laid out in 1854 upon a high, wooded point of land that served as a landmark for Native Americans, rangers, scouts, and travelers. Its population was 4,381 at the 2020 census, up from 3,856 in 2010. The city retains a strong sense of its 19th-century origins. It is home to the county's oldest brick building, and state historical markers honor the Pilot Point Church of Christ, the Pilot Point Post Signal newspaper, and the city itself. A German Catholic colony also settled in the area during the late 1800s, adding to the town's early character. By the end of the 19th century, Pilot Point had grown past 1,000 residents and was a well-known stop along regional travel routes. Pilot Point sits in northeastern Denton County, in North Texas ranch and farm country, near Lake Ray Roberts. The lake, operated with Ray Roberts Lake State Park and surrounding wildlife management areas, offers fishing for white bass, crappie, and catfish, along with boating and outdoor recreation. The city's location places it within reach of Denton and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with institutions such as the University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, and other area colleges nearby. Public education is provided by Pilot Point Independent School District, which operates schools serving the city and surrounding area. Pilot Point's combination of a historic downtown, small-town pace, and access to Lake Ray Roberts and the growing North Texas economy makes it an appealing option for those seeking a quieter community in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, while its historic fabric and early settlement story give it a distinctive identity among Denton County towns.

Population 4,381

County Denton County

Active Listings 367

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Pilot Point in?

Pilot Point is in Denton County, Texas, in the northeastern part of the county. It is the oldest community in the county, laid out in 1854 on a high, wooded point of land.

What is Pilot Point known for?

Pilot Point is known as the oldest settlement in Denton County and is home to the county's oldest brick building. It was laid out in 1854 on a landmark point of land and later grew around ranching and the railroad.

What is there to do near Pilot Point?

Lake Ray Roberts lies nearby, with Ray Roberts Lake State Park, wildlife management areas, and fishing for white bass, crappie, and catfish. The city's historic downtown and state historical markers add local heritage sites.

What school district serves Pilot Point?

Pilot Point is served by Pilot Point Independent School District. The city is also near several universities, including the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University in nearby Denton.

City Guide

About Pilot Point

Real Estate & Housing

Pilot Point's housing reflects its long history and its position on the edge of the fast-growing Dallas-Fort Worth region. The stock includes restored historic homes and older in-town houses near the downtown, alongside newer single-family subdivisions built as the area has grown. Surrounding North Texas ranchland offers acreage and larger-lot options for buyers who want more space. The city markets itself as a residential destination with access to regional universities and employment centers, and its mix of heritage homes and newer construction gives buyers a range of choices within a small-town setting.

Neighborhoods

Pilot Point's neighborhoods center on a compact historic core, where the downtown and the county's oldest brick building anchor the town. Residential streets of older, character-filled homes fan out from this center, transitioning into newer subdivisions and larger-lot and ranch properties at the city's edges. The town's layout around its landmark high point of land, combined with its proximity to Lake Ray Roberts, means many homes sit near open country while remaining close to the downtown and schools.

Lifestyle in Pilot Point

Pilot Point offers a small-town Texas lifestyle rooted in its 1854 founding. The historic downtown, the county's oldest brick building, and state historical markers give the city a tangible sense of its pioneer and ranching heritage. Daily life is quiet, centered on local schools, churches, and community events, while Lake Ray Roberts provides recreation a short drive away. The city's position in northeastern Denton County places residents within reach of Denton's university town amenities and the larger Dallas-Fort Worth economy, making Pilot Point a blend of historic small-town character and practical access to a growing region.

Schools & Education

Public education in Pilot Point is provided by Pilot Point Independent School District, which serves the city and the surrounding area of northeastern Denton County. The district operates elementary, middle, and high school campuses, with academics and athletics tied to the local community. Beyond K-12 schools, the city sits near several higher-education institutions, including the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University in nearby Denton, along with other colleges across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Getting Around

Pilot Point sits in northeastern Denton County, positioned between Denton to the south and the Sherman-Denison area to the north, with the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex within commuting reach. The city's location places it on regional travel routes that connect to the wider North Texas highway network, and Lake Ray Roberts lies just to the east. This setting gives residents access to Denton's university and employment centers, as well as the larger DFW economy, while maintaining a quieter, small-town setting.

Parks & Recreation

Lake Ray Roberts, one of North Texas' major reservoirs, lies near Pilot Point and offers boating, fishing, and camping through Ray Roberts Lake State Park, along with surrounding wildlife management areas, wetlands, and waterfowl sanctuaries. Anglers pursue white bass, crappie, and catfish in the lake. Within the city, the historic downtown and its state historical markers offer a look at Pilot Point's 1854 settlement and ranching heritage. The combination of lake recreation and local history gives residents year-round outdoor and cultural activities close to home.

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