Welcome home, neighbor.

Why Forney?

Forney sits in Kaufman County, about 20 miles east of downtown Dallas along U.S. Highway 80 — close enough for a Dallas commute or a Mavs game, far enough to feel like its own town.

• The "Antique Capital of Texas." The Texas Legislature named Forney the Antique Capital of Texas in 1987. The antique trade is smaller now than it was then, but downtown still has the shops and storefronts along Main Street.
• Small-town feel, big-city access. Historic downtown charm and friendly neighbors, with Dallas, DFW Airport, and the whole Metroplex a short drive away.
• One of the fastest-growing towns in the region. New master-planned communities keep welcoming newcomers, with a wave of retail, dining, and healthcare arriving alongside.

Getting set up: your first-week checklist

Water, sewer & trash

Your provider depends on where in Forney you live — the City of Forney serves much of the area, but some newer neighborhoods use a separate water district (for example, Talty Special Utility District). Always confirm by your service address.

• City of Forney Utility Billing handles water, sewer, and trash for City customers — set up, transfer, or pay at forneytx.gov (search "Utility Billing"). New service usually needs an application and a deposit.
• Not sure who serves you? The city's Water Service Application page lets you enter your address to confirm — helpful for brand-new builds.
• Talty SUD customers apply directly through Talty SUD.

Electricity

Texas has a deregulated electricity market, so in most of the area you choose your own retail provider. Compare plans at the state's official marketplace, PowerToChoose.org, before you pick.

Handy city contacts

• City of Forney: forneytx.gov · main phone 972-552-6675
• Parks & events calendar: forneytx.gov (search "Parks & Events")

County stuff: voting, vehicles & taxes

Forney is in Kaufman County, so several "official adult" errands run through the county, not the city.

• Register to vote through the Kaufman County Elections Department (469-376-4595) — start at kaufmancounty.net.
• Driver's license & ID are handled by Texas DPS — find your nearest office and book at dps.texas.gov.
• Vehicle title & registration go through the Kaufman County Tax Office; new to Texas means an inspection and registering within the state's window. See TxDMV.gov.
• Property taxes are handled by the Kaufman County Tax Assessor-Collector (kaufmancounty.net).

Schools: Forney ISD

Most of Forney is served by Forney Independent School District — one of the larger, faster-growing districts in the region, with 20,000+ students across two dozen-plus campuses and still building.

• District hub: forneyisd.net — calendars, campus info, news, and enrollment.
• Enrollment: students must live within district boundaries and meet state requirements (kindergarten generally age 5 by September 1). Start at forneyisd.net → Student Enrollment.

Where people live

Forney's growth is driven by master-planned communities, each with its own personality. A quick, neutral lay of the land:

• Devonshire — a signature community just north of downtown, known for resort-style amenities and homes from multiple national builders. Popular with families.
• Gateway Parks — a large community between U.S. 80 and I-20 with parks, trails, and amenity centers, close to the new Village at Gateway retail.
• Travis Ranch — one of Forney's most established communities, with neighborhood parks, splash/play areas, and sports courts.
• And more opening across the area — amenities, builders, and HOA details vary by community and phase, so tour a few and compare.

See the full neighborhoods guide →

Groceries & retail: what's here (and coming)

Forney's retail scene is expanding fast, anchored by the new Village at Gateway along U.S. Highway 80.

• H-E-B Forney — open. The Texas favorite opened at Village at Gateway in early 2026: ~139,000 sq ft, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. daily, with gas, car wash, pharmacy, curbside, and a two-story True Texas BBQ.
• The Home Depot and BJ's Wholesale Club — open.
• Target — open. Opened at Village at Gateway in July 2026 (11520 E US Hwy 80), with a Starbucks cafe and CVS pharmacy inside.
• Coming next: EVO Entertainment, Dick's Sporting Goods and more along the Gateway corridor. We track every one of them on Opening Watch.
• Healthcare: a new Texas Health Resources hospital is under construction nearby, expected fall 2027.

Local eats: a starter list

Half the fun of a new town is finding your spots. A starter list of Forney favorites — then go find your own:

• Nina's Brunch — beloved local breakfast/brunch spot.
• Eno's Pizza Tavern — a downtown-area pizza and tavern favorite.
• Latham Bakery — fresh baked goods, sandwiches, and salads.
• Mama's Daughters' Diner — classic Texas diner comfort food on E Main St.
• True Texas BBQ — easy, kid-friendly, inside the new H-E-B.

Browse all Forney restaurants →

Things to do

• Wander historic Downtown Forney — antique shops and storefronts along Main Street, fitting for the "Antique Capital of Texas."
• Spellman Museum of Forney History — a community museum and a nice intro to your new town's story.
• Forney Community Park — playgrounds, trails, sports, and city gatherings.
• Lake Ray Hubbard (nearby) — boating, fishing, lakeside dining, and sunsets, just to the northwest.

See all things to do → · What's happening this week →

Getting involved & staying in the know

The fastest way to feel at home is to plug into what's happening — city events at forneytx.gov, school news at forneyisd.net, and your neighborhood's community groups. And the easiest one of all: let us bring the local scoop to your inbox.

This guide is for general information and was compiled from public sources. Details like hours, fees, dates, addresses, and openings change frequently — please confirm specifics with the official source before relying on them.