Is Ennis Safe, Pros and cons of living in Ennis

Ennis, Texas, offers a blend of small-town charm and convenient access to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. This city provides a distinct lifestyle for its residents, characterized by a strong sense of community and a growing economic base. As you consider Ennis as a potential place to live, understanding its various facets, from safety and cost of living to its climate and educational opportunities, is crucial.

This guide delves into the essential aspects of life in Ennis, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview for prospective residents. By examining key data points and trends, you can gain valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about whether Ennis is the right fit for you and your family.

Is it Safe to Live in Ennis?

Ennis presents a mixed but generally favorable safety profile. The overall crime rate in Ennis is approximately 19.7% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, violent crimes are reported at a rate that is 51% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

However, it’s important to note that crime rates can vary by neighborhood. While the northeast part of the city is generally considered the safest, your chance of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 15 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 53 in the northeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Year over year, crime in Ennis has seen an increase of 12% (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living in Ennis

Housing Costs

Ennis offers a cost of living that is generally lower than the national average, with housing being a significant factor. The median home value in Ennis is approximately $240,333 (as reported by Livability.com). Housing expenses in Ennis are about 31% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median sale price of a home in Ennis was $262,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin).

Rental prices in Ennis are also more affordable than the national average. The average rent for an apartment in Ennis is approximately $1,165 per month, which is 29% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). RentCafe reports the average rent for an apartment in Ennis to be $1,327, a slight decrease from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe).

Everyday Expenses

Beyond housing, other cost of living indicators in Ennis are largely in line with or slightly below national averages. Grocery prices in Ennis are approximately 2% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are about 13% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale), while transportation expenses, such as gas prices, are 11% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Overall, Ennis’s cost of living is reported to be 6% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Another report indicates Ennis is 14% less expensive than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Ennis boasts a diverse range of major employers contributing to its economy. Key employers include Sterilite Corp with approximately 650 employees, Ennis Independent School District with 522 employees, and Freshpet with 467 employees (as reported by Ennis Daily News). Other significant employers include Dat Solutions (freight transportation), Leggett & Platt, Ennis Extruded Products (plastics), and GAF Manufacturing (as reported by Ennis Daily News).

Additional employers in the area encompass CVS Pharmacy, Marathon Staffing, Schirm USA, AFC Steel/Solar, and Erwin Distributing (as reported by Ennis Daily News). These companies represent various sectors, including manufacturing, education, retail, and transportation, providing a broad employment base for residents.

Salaries and Unemployment

The average annual salary in Ennis is approximately $47,702, which translates to about $22.93 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter as of April 2026). However, another source indicates the average salary for jobs in Ennis, Texas, is $69,735 per year or $34 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). The median household income in Ennis was reported as $78,544 (as reported by Livability.com), and more recently as $75,074 (as reported by Current Texas Census Data).

The unemployment rate in Ennis is around 3%, which is considered favorable and earns a score of 7 out of 10 in terms of unemployment (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). This suggests a relatively stable job market for those seeking employment in the area.

Climate and Weather

Temperatures

Ennis experiences a climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average high temperature in July is 94.1°F, and in August, it reaches 95.5°F (as reported by weather-en.com). January is the coldest month, with an average high temperature of 55.2°F and an average low of 39.6°F (as reported by weather-en.com).

Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 38°F to 95°F, rarely falling below 25°F or exceeding 101°F (as reported by weather-en.com). The hot season extends from June to September, with average daily high temperatures above 87°F (as reported by weather-en.com).

Precipitation and Rainfall

Ennis receives an average annual precipitation of approximately 41 inches (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). The wettest month is typically May, with an average rainfall of 4.17 inches (as reported by weather-en.com), or 4.1 inches (as reported by weather-en.com). October also experiences significant rainfall, with an average of 4.45 inches (as reported by weather-en.com).

The driest month in Ennis is generally July, with an average rainfall of 1.6 inches (as reported by weather-en.com), or 1.76 inches (as reported by Plantmaps). Snowfall is minimal, with an average of 2 inches annually (as reported by Livability.com), and snow typically occurs from January through March (as reported by weather-en.com).

Education in Ennis

School District Performance

Ennis Independent School District (ISD) serves the educational needs of the city. The district received a “C” rating from the Texas Education Agency, based on student performance, academic progress, and closing the gaps for disadvantaged students (as reported by Texas Tribune Schools Explorer). Ennis ISD is ranked #647 out of 1,196 school districts in Texas based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year (as reported by Public School Review).

The district’s graduation rate is 95%, showing an increase over the past five school years (as reported by Public School Review). Niche ranks Ennis ISD with a B overall grade, noting it as the #154 out of 795 districts for athletes and #171 out of 888 for diversity in Texas (as reported by Niche).

Individual School Highlights

Within Ennis ISD, several schools show promising performance. Dorie Miller Intermediate School and Travis Elementary School have been highlighted for their strong test scores, particularly in math and reading, often outperforming district and state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Ennis High School has a notable graduation rate of 95% (as reported by Public School Review).

The district includes various educational levels, from early childhood centers like David S Crockett Early Childhood Center and G W Carver Early Childhood Center, to elementary, intermediate, and high schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). While there are areas of strength, there are also noted disparities in academic performance across the district, particularly affecting schools with higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics of Ennis

Population and Diversity

Ennis is home to a population of approximately 22,635 residents (as reported by Livability.com). The city’s population is projected to reach 25,569 by the year 2030, indicating consistent growth (as reported by Economic Development Corp.). As of 2024, the population was estimated at 22,588 (as reported by Current Texas Census Data).

The demographic makeup of Ennis includes a significant Hispanic population, making up 45.6% of residents, followed by White residents at 42.6% and Black residents at 9.3% (as reported by Current Texas Census Data). White (Non-Hispanic) residents constitute 42.88% of the population, while Hispanic or Latino residents represent 44.84% (as reported by Economic Development Corp.).

Age and Household Composition

The median age in Ennis is around 34.05 years (as reported by Economic Development Corp.). The population is slightly more female, with 50.43% females and 49.57% males (as reported by Economic Development Corp.). Households are primarily family-based, with approximately a quarter of the city designated as non-family households (as reported by Economic Development Corp.).

In terms of citizenship, 91.4% of Ennis residents were citizens as of 2024, which is slightly lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 14.2% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).