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Ferris is a city located in Ellis County and Dallas County, Texas, about 20 miles south of downtown Dallas along the Interstate 45 corridor. With a population of 2,788 at the 2020 census and continued growth since, Ferris occupies a position on the expanding southern edge of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, combining a long local history with a rapidly evolving commuter character. The city's identity was built on agriculture and brickmaking. Ferris was long known as the "brick capital of the nation," with four brick plants operating during the 1950s and abundant local clay deposits supporting a thriving brick industry from the late nineteenth century onward. Agriculture complemented brickmaking as the backbone of the local economy for generations, and the town grew as a small commercial center for the surrounding Ellis County farmland. Ferris's trajectory has shifted decisively toward commuter growth. Its position on Interstate 45, a major route into downtown Dallas, has made it increasingly attractive to households seeking a smaller-town environment with direct access to the metroplex's jobs and amenities. The population has risen notably in recent years as new residential development has arrived, yet the city retains its small-town framework of schools, churches, and civic institutions. The Works Progress Administration even built the former Ferris School in the late 1930s, a reminder of the town's deeper civic roots. Public education is provided by the Ferris Independent School District, which serves the city and surrounding portions of Ellis County and southern Dallas County. For households looking for a Dallas-area home base with space, history, and highway access, Ferris represents the kind of once-rural community now being reshaped by metropolitan growth.

Population 2,788

County Ellis County, Dallas County

Active Listings 95

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Frequently Asked Questions

What counties is Ferris in?

Ferris is a city located in Ellis County and Dallas County, Texas, about 20 miles south of downtown Dallas. Its position along the Interstate 45 corridor gives the city a strong commuter connection to the metroplex.

What is Ferris known for historically?

Ferris was once known as the 'brick capital of the nation,' with four brick plants operating during the 1950s. Agriculture and brickmaking long anchored the local economy before the city's growth as a Dallas-area commuter community.

What school district serves Ferris?

Public school students in Ferris attend the Ferris Independent School District, which serves the city along with surrounding areas of Ellis County and sections of southern Dallas County, including portions of Red Oak and Waxahachie.

How far is Ferris from Dallas?

Ferris sits about 20 miles south of downtown Dallas along the Interstate 45 corridor, placing it within commuting distance of the city and the broader Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, which offers extensive employment and amenities.

City Guide

About Ferris

Real Estate & Housing

Ferris's housing market reflects its position as a growing Dallas-area commuter community. The city contains a mix of established single-family homes and newer residential development, as growth from the metroplex expands southward along Interstate 45. Historically a small agricultural and brickmaking town, Ferris now offers new-construction subdivisions alongside its older housing stock, appealing to families and commuters seeking more space and relative affordability than communities closer to central Dallas. The city's dual-county location in Ellis and Dallas counties places its housing within reach of both counties' services.

Neighborhoods

Lifestyle in Ferris

Ferris offers a small-town lifestyle with direct access to one of the nation's largest metro areas. Residents enjoy a slower, community-oriented pace centered on local schools, churches, and civic life, while the Interstate 45 corridor places Dallas and its employment, entertainment, and amenities within a short drive. The city's brickmaking heritage gives it a distinctive sense of history, and its ongoing growth has brought new housing and residents while retaining a smaller-town feel. Ferris suits households seeking affordability, space, and commuter convenience on the southern edge of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

Schools & Education

Ferris is served by the Ferris Independent School District, a public district that covers the city along with surrounding areas of Ellis County and sections of southern Dallas County, including portions of Red Oak and Waxahachie. The district provides pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade education for the community and the surrounding area. As Ferris has grown as a commuter community, the school district has remained a central institution, serving both long-time residents and the newer families moving into the area's expanding neighborhoods.

Getting Around

Ferris sits on the Interstate 45 corridor, a primary highway linking Dallas to communities south of the city, giving residents a direct route to downtown Dallas roughly 20 miles to the north. This highway position is central to the city's identity as a commuter community, placing the metroplex's employment centers within a manageable drive. The city's location in Ellis and Dallas counties also connects it to surrounding communities such as Red Oak and Waxahachie, making Ferris a practical base for travel throughout the southern metroplex.