Ellis County Town South of Ennis
Listings in Alma, TX
Welcome to Alma, a compact Ellis County town settled in the 1840s that grew up along a stage line and now sits where Interstate 45 meets U.S. Highway 75 south of Ennis.
Alma is a small town in the southeastern corner of Ellis County, Texas, about four miles south of Ennis. Its roots reach back to the early 1840s, when settlers arrived in the area; one of the first, Thomas Smith, bought a thousand acres beside a lake then known as Willow Pond. The settlement that took shape there adopted the name Willow Pond and served as a stagecoach stop on Grant's Stage Line between Waxahachie and Marshall. For most of its history, Alma was the center of a surrounding farming community. The arrival of the Texas Electric Railway interurban line between Dallas and Corsicana in the early 20th century connected Alma to the wider region, and the town grew with homes, businesses, churches, and civic organizations. In the 1950s, the construction of Interstate 45 through the middle of the area reshaped Alma's landscape and reinforced its position along a major north-south corridor. Today Alma has a population of roughly 400 and a quiet, small-town character. It sits on U.S. Highway 75 and beside Interstate 45, giving residents direct highway access to Ennis just to the north and to Corsicana to the south. The town functions primarily as a residential community within the orbit of Ennis, which provides schools, shopping, and services a short drive away. Alma suits those who want a rural Ellis County setting with easy highway access rather than a self-contained urban center. Its position along the I-45 corridor places it within commuting range of Ennis and, farther north, the southern reaches of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, while the surrounding farmland preserves the open, agricultural character that has defined the town since its founding.
Get more information about Alma
Houses in Alma, TX
Lots & Land in Alma, TX
MARKET SNAPSHOT
The Market at a Glance
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Price & Sales History
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
Zip Codes
BROWSE BY ZIP
Browse listings by postal code in this area.
- Grid
- Map
- List
City Guide
About Alma
Real Estate & Housing
Housing in Alma is characteristic of a small, long-established Texas farm town: a mix of modest single-family homes, some dating to the mid-20th century, alongside newer construction on larger lots. The town's small population and rural surroundings mean homes tend to be spaced with generous yards, and a number of properties sit on acreage at the edges of town. The market is oriented toward primary homeowners seeking a quieter alternative to more built-up Ellis County communities, with the convenience of Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 75 immediately accessible.
Neighborhoods
Lifestyle in Alma
Life in Alma is quiet and rural, centered on the town's homes, churches, and community organizations rather than a commercial downtown. Residents rely on nearby Ennis, about four miles north, for schools, grocery shopping, dining, and other daily services. The town's farming heritage remains part of its identity, and its location beside Interstate 45 means the conveniences of the larger Dallas-Fort Worth region are within reach while the immediate surroundings stay rural. The pace is unhurried, and the community is defined by its small scale and longtime local ties.
Schools & Education
Alma is served by the Ennis Independent School District, which covers most of Ennis as well as the smaller communities of Alma, Bardwell, and Garrett. The district operates Ennis High School, Ennis Junior High, and several elementary and intermediate campuses from its base in Ennis, about four miles north of Alma. The district's footprint spans a large portion of southeastern Ellis County, and students in Alma are bused to Ennis campuses for their K-12 education.
Getting Around
Alma sits along U.S. Highway 75 and immediately beside Interstate 45, the principal route connecting Dallas to the south. Interstate 45 runs through the area and was built through the middle of the town in the 1950s, giving residents quick access north to Ennis and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and south toward Corsicana. U.S. Highway 75 parallels the interstate and serves local traffic. Commuting is car-based, with Dallas roughly a straight shot north along I-45.
Parks & Recreation
About Alma
Frequently asked questions
What county is Alma in?
Alma is located in Ellis County, Texas, in the southeastern corner of the county. The town sits about four miles south of Ennis and is surrounded by the rural farmland that has defined this part of Ellis County since the 1840s.
What school district serves Alma?
Alma is served by the Ennis Independent School District, which also covers most of Ennis as well as the smaller communities of Bardwell and Garrett. Students from Alma attend Ennis ISD campuses in nearby Ennis for their K-12 education.
How far is Alma from Ennis and Dallas?
Alma is about four miles south of Ennis along U.S. Highway 75. Interstate 45 runs through the area and connects north to Ennis and the Dallas-Fort Worth region, while continuing south toward Corsicana.
What is Alma known for historically?
Alma was originally known as Willow Pond and served as a stagecoach stop on Grant's Stage Line between Waxahachie and Marshall. It remained the center of a farming community until Interstate 45 was built through the area in the 1950s.
Still have questions about Alma?
Get in touchExplore the area
