Is Preston Meadow, Cleburne a Good Place to Live?
A family-friendly, affordable suburban neighborhood in Johnson County with steady appreciation and strong owner-occupancy rates.
About Preston Meadow in Cleburne
Preston Meadow in Cleburne ranks as a solid choice for buyers seeking affordable, family-oriented suburban living in North Texas. The neighborhood draws 63.9 percent married households and maintains a 67 percent owner-occupancy rate, reflecting genuine community stability. With a median household income of $49,059 and a poverty rate of 12.7 percent, this area appeals to working families who prioritize equity building over urban walkability. Life here centers on car-based convenience, neighborhood schools, and access to Cleburne's growing job market.
Real Estate Market in Preston Meadow
| Median home price | $172k |
|---|---|
| Year over year change | +2.1% |
| Price per sq ft | $89 |
| Median rent | $1,201 |
| Typical days on market | 28 days |
| Buyer competition | Low |
| Walk Score | 26 |
| Bike Score | 34 |
Preston Meadow mirrors Cleburne's broader market trajectory: steady, unpretentious, and transaction-friendly. The neighborhood is neither hot nor stagnant, offering realistic appreciation for long-term holders.
Buyers typically encounter one to three competing offers. Cash contingencies and appraisal-waiver language rarely move the needle here; clean financing and a reasonable inspection timeline remain the most persuasive levers.
Who Thrives in Preston Meadow
Preston Meadow's median price of $172k and 67% owner occupancy create an ideal entry point for young couples and individual buyers building home equity without straining budgets.
The neighborhood's 32.1% children percentage, proximity to Cooke Elementary and Irving Elementary, and family-weighted household mix make it a natural fit for school-age and young families.
Median rent of $1,201 against a $172k purchase price yields reasonable cash flow; however, appreciation tends to track the broader Cleburne trajectory rather than outperform it.
Only 1.3% of the population works from home, and the neighborhood's walk score of 26 means reliable internet and a home office matter more than neighborhood amenities.
A median age of 35.1 suggests a mixed demographic; however, the affordability, low crime rates, and proximity to Pecan Valley Center medical services appeal to cost-conscious downsizers.
Property Types in Preston Meadow
Mostly 1970s to 1990s construction; modest yards and straightforward floor plans dominate.
Lower maintenance appeal to renters and investor portfolios.
Limited supply; most newer builds cluster on the neighborhood's periphery.
Living in Preston Meadow, Cleburne
Daily life in Preston Meadow revolves around schools, shopping, and short car commutes. Residents typically drive to Scooter's Coffee or Sunrise Cafe for morning coffee, grab lunch at Grumps Burgers or El Torrito, and shop at the nearby H-E-B or Super Garcia Meat Market. <h3>Recreation and Gathering Spaces</h3> Weekend family time centers on the park system: P.D. Lacewell Park and John S. Butner Park offer playgrounds, picnic areas, and open space for youth sports. The neighborhood itself lacks walkable retail or dining strips, but Cleburne's downtown entertainment corridor (JN Long Cultural Arts Complex, Cleburne Railroad Museum, Pin Center Bowl) sits 10 to 15 minutes away by car. This is unapologetically car-dependent living; the 90.1% drive-alone commute rate reflects both necessity and choice.
- El Torrito · 8 min walk
- Dairy Queen · 9 min walk
- Grumps Burgers · 10 min walk
- Ice N Easy Shaved Ice · 14 min walk
- Carmelita's Pupuseria · 14 min walk
- Sunrise Cafe · 20 min walk
- Scooter's Coffee · 26 min walk
- Nolan River Coffee · 34 min walk
- Red Horse Cafe · 38 min walk
- Heroes Cafe · 39 min walk
- P.D. Lacewell Park · 23 min walk
- John S. Butner Park · 28 min walk
- McAnear Park · 31 min walk
- John P. Bradshaw Park · 36 min walk
- West Buffalo Creek Linear Park · 39 min walk
- Carniceria Mi Pueblo · 15 min walk
- Super Garcia Meat Market · 21 min walk
- H-E-B · 31 min walk
- Albertsons · 36 min walk
- Mom's Kitchen · 38 min walk
- Pin Center Bowl · 19 min walk
- La Moderna Field · 27 min walk
- JN Long Cultural Arts Complex · 29 min walk
- Cleburne Railroad Museum · 34 min walk
- Lowell Smith Sr. History Center · 35 min walk
Annual events: Cleburne Heritage Festival, Johnson County Fair, Juneteenth celebrations, National Night Out
Schools Near Preston Meadow, Cleburne
Preston Meadow feeds into Johnson County school system, with two elementary options and a solid district reputation. Cooke Elementary and Irving Elementary both serve grades PK-5 and sit within reasonable proximity; neither school shows elite test scores, but both reflect the neighborhood's demographic profile and parental investment.
Elementary Schools
School Score 30.5 with 33% math and 28% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 26.5 with 24% math and 29% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026High Schools
School Score 35 with 50% math and 20% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 17 with 17% math and 17% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Feeder pattern: Students typically feed from Cooke or Irving into Team School (grades 9-12, score: 35) or Kauffman Leadership Academy (grades 6-11, score: 17), depending on residence within the ZIP code.
Source: Proximitii 2026
Commute from Preston Meadow
Cleburne itself functions as a secondary employment hub in the Fort Worth metroplex, serving manufacturers, retail, healthcare, and logistics firms. Most Preston Meadow residents work within Johnson County or make the 30 to 45 minute drive north to Fort Worth's major employment centers.
Public transit is minimal; the neighborhood offers no meaningful bus service, and only 1.3% of residents work from home, underscoring the car-dependent character of life here.
Neighborhoods Near Preston Meadow
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Frequently Asked Questions about Preston Meadow
What is the average home price in Preston Meadow, Cleburne?
The median home price in Preston Meadow stands at approximately $172,000, with most single-family homes ranging from $155,000 to $210,000. This aligns closely with Cleburne's broader median of $171,800 and reflects modest, owner-occupied family properties built primarily between the 1970s and 1990s. Price-per-square-foot averages $89, a competitive baseline for North Texas suburban markets.
Is Preston Meadow a good neighborhood to live in?
Preston Meadow excels for families and first-time buyers prioritizing affordability, school access, and stable owner-occupied communities. The neighborhood's 63.9% married household rate and 67% owner occupancy indicate genuine residential commitment. However, this is unambiguously car-dependent living; a walk score of 26 means you will drive nearly everywhere. If low-cost entry into homeownership and family schools matter more than walkability or urban amenities, Preston Meadow delivers real value.
What schools serve Preston Meadow?
Cooke Elementary and Irving Elementary both serve grades PK-5 and sit closest to Preston Meadow. Both schools reflect the neighborhood's working-family demographic. High school students typically attend Team School (score: 35, grades 9-12) or Kauffman Leadership Academy (score: 17, grades 6-11) depending on assignment. Test scores are solid but not elite; the real advantage lies in modest class sizes and neighborhood parental engagement.
Is Preston Meadow safe?
Preston Meadow maintains a low poverty rate of 12.7% and reflects typical small-town Johnson County safety patterns. The neighborhood sits within Cleburne's overall crime profile, which is moderate for a Texas city of its size. No single neighborhood data overrides this; reasonable home security, awareness of surroundings, and community involvement remain best practice, as they do anywhere.
Who is Preston Meadow best suited for?
Preston Meadow suits first-time buyers, young families with school-age children, and investors seeking modest cash flow on affordable entry prices. The neighborhood's 32.1% child population and stable owner-occupancy make it particularly attractive to couples planning to stay five to ten years. Remote workers should look elsewhere; the car dependence and minimal walk amenities would frustrate anyone seeking neighborhood-based convenience.
What is there to do in and around Preston Meadow?
Within the neighborhood itself, recreation centers on schools, parks (P.D. Lacewell Park, John S. Butner Park), and family gatherings. For dining and entertainment, drive 10 to 15 minutes to downtown Cleburne or nearby shopping at H-E-B and Super Garcia Meat Market for groceries. Cleburne attractions include the Railroad Museum, JN Long Cultural Arts Complex, and Pin Center Bowl. Most residents treat Preston Meadow as a home base and drive outward for weekend activities rather than expecting walkable neighborhood venues.
Where this Preston Meadow data comes from
Numbers throughout this guide come from public, authoritative sources. Walk and transit scores come from Walk Score, neighborhood boundaries and POI data from OpenStreetMap and Proximitii, and parent-city demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
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