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Idiot's Hill

Idiot's Hill

Suburban Neighborhood in Denton, Texas

Denton County 76209

$364,843 Average Value
$192 Average Price per Sq Ft
18 Homes For Sale

Idiot's Hill's unique moniker

With a down-to-earth culture rooted in the area's love for musical talent, education and big-city arts, this quiet, established area of Denton, Texas – unofficially known as Idiot's Hill – is a far cry from its name. The odd moniker was borne from the grumblings of Depression-era folks who couldn't relate to the younger generation's fascination with pricey, custom homes built on the outskirts of town. Used so frequently, Idiot's Hill soon replaced the area's formal name, Skiles Addition, in the local lexicon. Yet, that hasn’t stopped folks from moving into this neighborhood, just a mile from an expanding downtown that landed the city on Paste Magazine's list of the nation's Best Music Scenes. It's a bragging right heavily influenced by the presence of three universities, as well as the lively music venues and bars along Fry Street. "It's in a great, centralized Dallas-Fort Worth location. You're only about 30 minutes in any direction from all there is to do around the DFW," says Curtis Petersen, team leader of Petersen Property Group, powered by Fathom Realty. "But what stands out to me the most about the area is the authenticity of the people who live there. I find that homebuyers go there for the people."

Tree-shaded suburbs outside of downtown Denton

Idiot's Hill is an area of quiet, beautifully established neighborhoods with big, mature oak trees, creeks and well-maintained yards, Petersen says. The year of construction, style and price of homes vary greatly in Idiot's Hill. Most were built from the 1960s and up until the 2000s; however, there are a few new additions near East University Drive that were built after 2019. Homebuyers can expect a price range of $300,000 to $400,000 for a three-bedroom ranch bungalow or a brightly painted Craftsman-style home that offers 1,300 to 2,000 square feet of living space. Those looking for a more stately abode, there are 2,300 to 4,000 square foot brick Traditional residences priced between $430,000 and $550,000. Some can offer in-ground pools framed with concrete and stone patios, along with modern interior renovations like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Education is a corner stone for Idiot's Hill

The sought-after Denton Independent School District includes Nette Shultz Elementary for pre-kindergarten through fifth. The elementary school holds an A-minus rating on Niche. Strickland Middle earns a B Niche score. Idiot's Hill teenagers spend ninth through 12th grades at Billy Ryan High School, which earns an A-minus rating from Niche. Every year, Billy Ryan High School and their rival, Guyer High School, compete in the Crosstown Showdown. It is considered one of the best and longest-running high school football rivalries in North Texas and has even been televised on ESPN 2 and Fox Sports Network. The community's support of its young athletes spans all Denton high schools. Each team plays its home football games under the bright lights of the 12,000-seat C.H. Collins Athletic Complex stadium. For youngsters intent on staying close to home while earning a degree, there are several schools nearby, including the University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University and North Central Texas Challenge.

Avondale Park is one of many community green spaces close to home

Residents and their four-legged friends can head to Avondale Park, where 17 acres of green space include a playground, tennis and basketball courts, a soccer field and a paved walking path. Nette Shultz Park – named after the farmer, businesswoman and Texas State College for Women educator who donated the land for the park and elementary school – is also nearby. Located just north of the Idiot's Hill area is Water Works Park, which offers plenty of ways to cool off, from fast-moving water slides to undulating wave pools and a relaxing lazy river.

An expanding food scene surrounding Denton Square

“I remember growing up, and it was all Southern food,” says Alex Mauricio, a Realtor with Living Vogue LLC and UNT Graduate. “It was all Tex Mex, and now the entire Metroplex is really attracting a ton of international cuisine.” Locally owned Bagheri's Italian restaurant is a favored spot to indulge in cheesy baked lasagna and crusty garlic bread. For a wide selection of Mexican food products, La Azteca Meat Market is a nearby supermercado featuring a butcher, bakery and café. Denton's downtown is roughly 3 miles away. Numerous locally owned shops and eateries, like La Di Da Boutique and Barley & Board Gastropub, surround Denton Square, which has the 1896 Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum building at its center. One of the many sports bars and cocktail lounges around West Oak and East Hickory Street are good for getting a quick sip after dinner. Neighbors often run into each other every Saturday morning on Mulberry Street at the Denton Community Market, which is rife with live music and an array of food trucks and local vendors.

Small town get togethers meet big city attractions around DFW metroplex

Denton hosts a slew of annual events, often attracting over 300,000 visitors per year. “I think the event that best embodies the entire vibe of Denton would be the Denton County Fair,” Mauricio says. “There’s great food like downtown has, great live music and the crowds are friendly and enthusiastic. It feels like the epitome of Texas, as a whole.” The city is known for its active music scene and festivals like the North Texas State Fair and Denton Arts and Jazz. According to Mauricio, Fry Street is the music epicenter and the perfect place to catch live performances. Other events include the annual City Block Party; National Night Out in October, which encourages neighbors to step outside and mingle with their neighbors; and Denton Revealed, a monthlong initiative to promote the history of Denton and local tourism. For a family day out, Explorium Denton Children’s Museum and the C.H. Collins Athletic Complex stadium are 4 and 2 miles away, respectively. Idiot's Hill's location at the northern-most point of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex puts almost every area attraction only 30 minutes away.

Getting around Idiot's Hill and beyond

North Elm Street and North Locust Street travel parallel from Idiot’s Hill through downtown, forking at Eagle Drive. Locals can then cross U.S. Highway 377, taking them either to Fort Worth or U.S. Highway 77. Merging onto Interstate 35 East eventually lands them in Dallas. The Downtown Denton Transit Center connects downtown to the three universities via train. It also links to Dallas Area Rapid Transit, giving riders wider access to the metroplex. Downtown Denton is very walkable. The Bike/Walk Denton program is a new initiative aimed at ensuring pedestrians and cyclists reach their destinations safely. The Medical City Denton and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton are 8 miles away. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is roughly 30 miles away.

Corrine Fizer
Written By
Corrine Fizer
Brandon Benham
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Benham
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Becky Gaskill

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Monica Garcia, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Dallas-Fort Worth International

39 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Idiot's Hill US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$375,000
Median Single Family Price
$374,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$192
Number of Homes for Sale
18
Last 12 months Home Sales
85
Months of Supply
2.50
Median List Price
$379,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,187
Median Year Built
1975
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,872
On par with the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,478
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1am - 4pm

    2014 Northwood Terrace, Denton, TX 76209

    $419,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,742 Sq Ft
    • 2014 Northwood Terrace
    • New 6 days ago

    Don't miss this gem in northeast Denton near Texas Woman's University. Original house is 3 bedrooms but a second living area & two rooms have been added that could increase the bedroom number to five! Bonus rooms could also be used for home offices or studios. Original hardwood floors in main house; spacious living-dining combo with fireplace; kitchen with quartz counters and abundant storage

    Agent Photo
    Susan Cooksey
    CENTURY 21 JUDGE FITE CO.
    (817) 623-5012
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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Monica Garcia, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
6,788
Median Age
42
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$107,160
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$131,017

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.6%
College Graduates
59.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
96°F
Annual Snowfall
3''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

56 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

25 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Idiot's Hill