"Is Haslet still a small town, or did Alliance swallow it?"
I get some version of that question from families relocating to North Texas, and more and more from owners who bought in Haslet and are wondering whether to rent the house out. It's a fair question. Drive in on U.S. 287 or I-35W and you see warehouses, rooftops and new subdivisions. Turn onto Main Street and you find a city hall, a public library, two connected parks and a town that still feels like everybody knows the fire department.
Here's my honest local read on everyday life in Haslet, Texas, and what it means if you own a rental there.
The Short Answer
Haslet is a small town that is growing very fast. The U.S. Census Bureau counted 1,952 residents in 2020 and estimates 5,267 as of July 1, 2025, an increase of about 167% from its 2020 base (Census QuickFacts). People come for the Northwest ISD schools, the newer homes and the quick access to AllianceTexas and Fort Worth. They stay because the town itself still has a small-town rhythm.
A Little Haslet History
Haslet's story starts with the railroad. According to the City of Haslet's history page, rancher Charles Maloney at first refused the Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way across his land, then changed his mind. The railroad's contractor happened to be from Haslett, Michigan, and the city's telling is that he named the stop with a nod to both: Maloney "has let" the railroad through. The Handbook of Texas credits the contractor's Michigan hometown. Either way, the stop became a community, and Haslet incorporated as a city on January 16, 1961.
For decades it stayed tiny. The Handbook of Texas records 276 residents in 1976 and 1,134 in 2000. Then the Fort Worth Alliance Airport opened next door in 1989, and the AllianceTexas development grew up around it (Metroport Chamber). That is the engine behind the growth you see today.
Parks and Trails: The Heart of Town
Haslet's parks are small, close together and well used. The city's two main parks connect to each other (City of Haslet Parks):
- Haslet Community Park: This is the big one, with an 18-hole disc golf course, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a large covered pavilion, playgrounds and restrooms.
- John Gammill Park: It sits next to the Haslet Public Library and has a covered pavilion, a fenced all-abilities play area, picnic tables and good shade trees.
- Walking trails: Community Park has a half-mile lower trail and a quarter-mile upper trail, and the city's TAP Trail adds another 1.4 miles (Haslet Trails Map).
- Ball fields: Youth baseball plays at Nance Field on Schoolhouse Road and at the fields behind the fire department.
The parks are open daily from early morning until 10:30 p.m. The city also runs small-town programs like Tai Chi in Community Park on Saturday mornings and yoga at the Community Center (Parks and Recreation).
Schools: Northwest ISD
For a lot of families, schools are the reason they look at Haslet in the first place.
- A long local history: Northwest ISD formed in 1949, when the one-school districts of Haslet, Justin, Rhome and Roanoke joined together (Northwest ISD budget history). Today the district also serves Northlake, Trophy Club, Aurora, Newark and New Fairview.
- Haslet Elementary: The town's elementary school is now on Wisdom Way (Haslet Elementary). The original Schoolhouse Road campus was remodeled and now serves as the district's Legacy Learning Center.
- V.R. Eaton High School: Northwest ISD's third comprehensive high school opened on August 25, 2015, with a Haslet mailing address. It serves Haslet, Newark and nearby parts of Fort Worth, and enrolled about 3,261 students as of August 2025 (Eaton High School).
School boundaries change as the district grows, so families should always confirm the zoned campus for a specific home with Northwest ISD.
Everyday Life in Haslet
- The library: The Haslet Public Library on Gammill Street runs storytimes for babies and toddlers, a book club, teen game nights and SAT prep. It's one of the busiest little buildings in town.
- Christmas in the Park: Every December, Community Park and Gammill Park turn into a holiday festival with music from Northwest ISD students, a real snow slide, a Polar Express train ride and Santa arriving on the Haslet fire truck. This year it's Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. (City of Haslet).
- Getting around: Haslet sits right on I-35W and U.S. 287, so Fort Worth, Northlake, Justin, Keller and Roanoke are all an easy drive.
- Jobs next door: AllianceTexas and the Alliance Airport are practically in Haslet's backyard, which is why so many residents have short commutes.
What Haslet's Growth Means for Rental Owners
A town that more than doubles in five years needs housing, and a lot of new arrivals want to rent first while they learn the area. I wrote about that demand in more detail in my post on how the AllianceTexas corridor shapes rental demand. Here's what I'd focus on if you own a home in Haslet:
- Price against the right comps: Census data shows Haslet is about 94% owner-occupied, so true rental comps are thin. Pricing off a Fort Worth or Keller average is a quick way to sit vacant or leave money on the table.
- Know your HOA: Many Haslet neighborhoods are newer subdivisions with HOA leasing rules. Check them before you list.
- Screen the same way every time: Strong demand doesn't mean you take the first application. Use written criteria for every applicant. Our tenant screening process is built around that.
- Have maintenance lined up: Newer homes still need upkeep, and fast, reliable maintenance coordination keeps good residents renewing.
Thinking About Renting Out Your Haslet Home?
Parker and I bring 22+ years of combined property management experience. We've leased more than 500 homes, average about 12 days on market and have earned 70+ five-star reviews. We handle residential homes only, so single-family rentals are all we do.
Our pricing is simple. Full-service management is an 8% monthly management fee plus a leasing fee of 50% of the first month's rent. If you only need a great tenant placed, Placement Only is 100% of one month's rent. There are no other fees. Our agreements are month-to-month and can be canceled anytime, and if we placed the tenant, we handle the eviction for free. See the details on our pricing page.
If you own a home in Haslet, or nearby in Northlake, Justin, Keller or Roanoke, I'm happy to put together a free, no-obligation rental analysis and give you an honest read on what it should rent for. Call (304) 878-8629 anytime, or learn more about our Haslet property management services.
