Townapedia
U.S. Highway 80, Terrell, TX IMG 5314
U.S. Highway 80, Terrell, TX IMG 5314 · Billy Hathorn, CC BY 3.0
PorterFarm
PorterFarm · Joseph Scott Mendinghall, National Park Service, Public domain
WarrenCrowellHouse1
WarrenCrowellHouse1 · Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 3.0
CartwrightHouse1
CartwrightHouse1 · Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 3.0
Robert A. Terrell Home, No. 8554
Robert A. Terrell Home, No. 8554 · Rheba, CC BY 2.0
Terrell State Hospital, No. 8556
Terrell State Hospital, No. 8556 · Rheba, CC BY 2.0

Terrell, Texas

Terrell is a city of 20,366 people in Kaufman County, Texas, founded in 1874.

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Population20,366 +14.0% since 2019
Elevation509 ft 155 m
Founded1874
Land area39.4 sq mi
ZIP codes75160, 75161
Nearest airportTerrell Municipal Airport (TRL) 2 mi

Why visit Terrell

Townapedia lists 41 museums and landmarks, 7 parks and trails, 57 places to eat, 11 places to stay and 4 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Film Alley Terrell 8, Thrillvania, Matthew Cartwright House and Porter Farm.

August is the warmest month, with average highs of 96°F; January lows average 36°F.

About Terrell

Terrell is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Kaufman County. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,465. Terrell is located about 32 miles (51 km) east of Dallas.

From the Wikipedia article Terrell, Texas (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do4

Film Alley Terrell 8

Cinema and theater · 2.9 mi

750 American Way, Terrell

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Thrillvania

Monument and historic site · 4.0 mi

American theme park

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Hometown Cinema

Cinema and theater · 2.3 mi

301 Tanger Drive, Terrell

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Breezy Hill

Scenic view · 0.6 mi

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Museums and landmarks41

Matthew Cartwright House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi

Historic place in Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas

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Porter Farm

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi

Historic site in Terrell (vicinity), Kaufman County, Texas

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Warren-Crowell House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi

Historic place in Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas

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Robert A. Terrell Home

Monument and historic site

The first dwelling erected in Terrell, an octagonal-shaped house designed to provide better defense against Indian attacks. Built by the...

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Terrell Heritage Museum

Museum

207 North Frances Street, Terrell

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Bethlehem Baptist Church

Monument and historic site

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Carnegie Library Building

Monument and historic site

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Carnegie Public Library

Monument and historic site

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Cartwright House

Monument and historic site · 0.7 mi

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Church of the Good Shepherd

Monument and historic site · 0.4 mi

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Dr. L. E. Griffith Home

Monument and historic site · 0.5 mi

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First Baptist Church of Terrell

Monument and historic site · 0.4 mi

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29 more on the map.

Parks, trails and playgrounds7

Lions Club Park

Park · 0.8 mi

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Terrell Memorial Stadium

Sports field and stadium · 0.8 mi

68 Lions Club Park, Terrell

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Ben Gill Park

Park · 1.0 mi

1039 9th St, Terrell

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Breezy Hill Park

Park · 0.5 mi

301 New Hope Street, Terrell

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Arlie E White Memorial Park

Park · 1.8 mi

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Arlie White Memorial Playground

Playground · 1.8 mi

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Welcome to Lions Club Park Sign

Park · 0.9 mi

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Restaurants and cafes57

Starbucks

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.6 mi

1291 FM 148, Terrell

Mo-Su 04:30-20:30

Open in Google Maps · +1 469-837-6188

Terrell Coffee Co.

Cafe · Coffee Shop

105 West Moore Avenue, Terrell

Mo-Fr 07:00-15:00; Sa 08:00-15:00; Su, PH closed

Open in Google Maps · +1 469 745 4633

Waffle House

Diner · American · 2.2 mi

1612 State Highway 34 South, Terrell

24/7

Open in Google Maps · +1 972-563-0774;+1 972-563-0074

Applebee's

Diner · American · 2.2 mi

341 Tanger Drive, Terrell

Open in Google Maps · +1 972-551-1400

Starbucks

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.3 mi

1620 State Highway 34 South, Terrell

Open in Google Maps · +1 972-563-2086

Waffle House

Diner · American · 1.5 mi

24/7

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Carmona's

Restaurant · Mexican · 2.3 mi

311 Tanger Drive, Terrell

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Chili's

Restaurant · Tex-Mex · 2.6 mi

200 Spur 557 Frontage Road, Terrell

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Chuy's

Restaurant · Tex-Mex · 2.7 mi

300 Spur 557 Frontage Road, Terrell

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Cole Mountain

Restaurant · Steak House · 0.5 mi

419 East Moore Avenue, Terrell

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Country Pride

Diner · American · 3.8 mi

1700 Wilson Road, Terrell

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Gorditas Durango

Restaurant · Mexican · 2.3 mi

303 East Interstate 20, Terrell

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45 more on the map.

History

Terrell developed as a railroad town, beginning in 1873 with the construction of the Texas and Pacific Railroad line. The town was named for Robert A. Terrell, a pioneer European-American settler whose farm lay on its western edge. He built an octagonal house on his property, called "Round House", to provide better defense against attacks by Native Americans. His house was later fitted with the first glass windows in the county. The community was incorporated in 1875. The first automobile appeared in 1899.

In 1892, Terrell was a sundown town that largely prohibited African Americans from living there.

The Terrell Military College was established in Terrell, operating until after World War II. Its campus was sited on part of the former Terrell farm and incorporated his historic Round House. In 1949, the Southern Bible Institute, based in Dallas and affiliated with the Churches of Christ, bought the military college property and transferred their operations here, renaming their institution Southwestern Christian College. It is a private, historically black college. The Round House has been preserved on campus, and is one of 20 such structures in the nation.

The headquarters of the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment of the Texas Army National Guard was also located in Terrell.

From the History section of Terrell, Texas on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay11

Churches and places of worship15

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Shopping12

Gas and EV charging12

Schools, colleges and libraries22

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Healthcare5

Map of Terrell

186 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

40°60°80°100°January: 2.6 in of rainFebruary: 2.7 in of rainMarch: 3.7 in of rainApril: 3.1 in of rainMay: 4.7 in of rainJune: 3.4 in of rainJuly: 2.0 in of rainAugust: 2.3 in of rainSeptember: 2.7 in of rainOctober: 4.5 in of rainNovember: 3.1 in of rainDecember: 3.6 in of rainJanuary: 57°FFebruary: 62°FMarch: 69°FApril: 76°FMay: 84°FJune: 92°FJuly: 96°FAugust: 96°FSeptember: 90°FOctober: 79°FNovember: 68°FDecember: 59°FJanuary: 36°FFebruary: 40°FMarch: 47°FApril: 54°FMay: 63°FJune: 71°FJuly: 74°FAugust: 74°FSeptember: 67°FOctober: 56°FNovember: 45°FDecember: 38°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRain
Jan57°F36°F2.6 in
Feb62°F40°F2.7 in
Mar69°F47°F3.7 in
Apr76°F54°F3.1 in
May84°F63°F4.7 in
Jun92°F71°F3.4 in
Jul96°F74°F2.0 in
Aug96°F74°F2.3 in
Sep90°F67°F2.7 in
Oct79°F56°F4.5 in
Nov68°F45°F3.1 in
Dec59°F38°F3.6 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Terrell Muni Ap (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$65,842median household income
$218,500median home value
$1,232median monthly rent
32.6median age
15.8%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
58.7%of homes are owner-occupied
27.3 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1829%18 to 3425%35 to 6433%65 and over13%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Kaufman County has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.

  • 2024-05-17: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2021-02-19: Severe Winter Storms (Severe Ice Storm)
  • 2021-02-14: Severe Winter Storm (Severe Ice Storm)
  • 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2016-02-09: Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Terrell Municipal Airport (TRL) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.

  • Forney 10 mi west, about 16 min by car
  • Heartland 11 mi southwest, about 17 min by car
  • Heath 13 mi northwest, about 21 min by car
  • Rockwall 16 mi northwest, about 25 min by car
  • Fate 16 mi northwest, about 25 min by car
  • Seagoville 16 mi west, about 26 min by car
  • Royse City 17 mi north, about 27 min by car
  • Mesquite 18 mi west, about 28 min by car
  • Rowlett 20 mi northwest, about 32 min by car
  • Balch Springs 20 mi west, about 31 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.