County Seat

McKinney Grew from a Donated Townsite into the County Seat

McKinney became the county seat of Collin County in 1848 after a landowner donated 120 acres for the original townsite.

In 1849, William Davis donated 120 acres of his 3,000-acre tract for the town of McKinney. The town was named for Collin McKinney, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. McKinney replaced Buckner as the county seat because Buckner was not close enough to the geographic center of the county.

The arrival of the Houston and Texas Central Railway in 1872 helped McKinney grow as a trade hub. Five more rail lines followed by the 1890s. Through much of the twentieth century, McKinney stayed a small county seat while Plano grew rapidly to the south. Today McKinney is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas – McKinney, TX

More Collin County notes

Property Tax Relief

How the Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Property Tax Bill

If you own and live in your home in Collin County, you can apply for a homestead exemption that removes part of your home's value from the tax calculation.

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Property Tax Basics

Two Offices Handle Property Taxes in Collin County

Two separate offices deal with your property taxes. One sets your home's value. The other sends your bill and collects payment.

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Agricultural Appraisal

Land Used for Farming Can Be Taxed at a Much Lower Rate

Texas law lets land used for farming be taxed on its farming value, not its full market value. This can sharply lower the tax bill.

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Special Districts

Many New Subdivisions Have an Extra Tax Line for a MUD or PID

Many new neighborhoods in Collin County have an extra charge on top of regular property taxes. It pays for water lines, roads, and parks built by the developer.

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