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Joshua is a small city in the heart of Johnson County, Texas, sitting along Highway 174 roughly midway between Burleson to the north and the county seat of Cleburne to the south. The city is about 34 miles from downtown Fort Worth, placing it within the southern reaches of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex while retaining a distinctly small-town identity. The 2020 census counted 7,891 residents, and city figures have since placed the population above 9,000 as the community has grown. Joshua began as a farming settlement and long operated as a quiet agricultural town. Over recent decades it has transitioned into a suburban bedroom community, with new housing developments, shopping, and school expansions reshaping the landscape while the historic downtown remains the community's anchor. That shift reflects its position along a commuter corridor between larger Johnson County cities, giving residents a slower pace and more generous lots than typical metro suburbs while keeping employment and services within reach. The community is organized around family life and outdoor recreation. Joshua City Park anchors local recreation with its playground, splash pad, and a pond that is stocked for youth fishing events. Downtown Joshua hosts seasonal gatherings such as Fall on Main, which brings together a chili cook-off, live entertainment, and family activities. Residents also draw on the retail and dining options of Burleson and the historic downtown of Cleburne nearby. Public education is provided by Joshua Independent School District, which serves roughly 6,000 students across eight campuses covering about 76 square miles of Johnson County. The district is the third largest in the county and is accredited by the Texas Education Agency, describing itself as offering small-school advantages with larger-district opportunities. For commuters, Joshua's location on Highway 174 offers a direct route toward the Fort Worth area, and the Trinity Railway Express commuter line serves nearby Cleburne, providing a rail connection toward Fort Worth and the wider metroplex. This combination of small-town character, spacious housing, and commuter access has made Joshua a draw for families and first-time buyers looking beyond the inner suburbs.

Population 7,891

County Johnson County

Active Listings 226

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Joshua, Texas in?

Joshua is in Johnson County, Texas, in the north-central part of the state. The city sits along Highway 174 between Burleson to the north and Cleburne, the Johnson County seat, to the south. It lies within the broader Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, roughly 34 miles from downtown Fort Worth.

What school district serves Joshua, Texas?

Joshua Independent School District serves the city. The district enrolls approximately 6,000 students across eight campuses covering about 76 square miles of Johnson County, making it the third-largest district in the county. It is accredited by the Texas Education Agency.

How far is Joshua from Fort Worth?

Downtown Fort Worth is roughly 34 miles north of Joshua, a drive of about 35 minutes along Highway 174 and connecting routes. Commuters can also use the Trinity Railway Express from nearby Cleburne, which provides a direct rail connection into Fort Worth.

What is there to do in Joshua?

Joshua City Park offers a playground, splash pad, and a stocked fishing pond, and downtown hosts seasonal events such as Fall on Main with games, a chili cook-off, and entertainment. Neighboring Burleson and Cleburne provide additional shopping, dining, and recreational options.

City Guide

About Joshua

Real Estate & Housing

Joshua's housing stock reflects its evolution from farm town to bedroom community. The market is dominated by single-family detached homes, with residents typically maintaining larger yards than in denser suburbs closer to Fort Worth. Older homes cluster near the historic downtown and along the established Highway 174 corridor, while newer subdivisions have filled in around the city's edges as growth has accelerated. Lot sizes tend to be more generous than in nearby Burleson, and the community carries a small-town, truck-friendly character that many residents value. The combination of newer construction and established homes gives buyers a range of options, with the area generally positioned as a more accessible alternative to the larger Johnson County cities to the north.

Neighborhoods

Joshua does not have the formal named subdivisions of a large metro city, but its layout falls into clear patterns. The historic core sits near the downtown district along Highway 174, where older, established homes and a small commercial center anchor the community. Around it, newer residential developments have expanded outward, adding contemporary single-family subdivisions that accommodate the city's recent growth. Toward the edges, larger lots and semi-rural acreage transition toward the farmland and open countryside of Johnson County. This mix gives Joshua a varied feel within a compact footprint, with residents able to choose between an in-town setting and homes with more space and elbow room.

Lifestyle in Joshua

Life in Joshua is unhurried and family-oriented. The city's calendar is built around community gatherings, including the annual Fall on Main celebration with its chili cook-off, games, and entertainment, and youth-focused outdoor programs at the parks. Fishing events at the stocked park pond introduce children to the outdoors, and the splash pad is a summer gathering spot. Day-to-day conveniences can be found along Highway 174 and in neighboring Burleson and Cleburne, which offer broader retail, dining, and services. The community's character remains rooted in small-town Texas traditions, with neighbors tending large yards and a pace of life that stands apart from the busier cities just up the highway.

Schools & Education

Joshua is served by Joshua Independent School District, which enrolls approximately 6,000 students across eight campuses and covers about 76 square miles of Johnson County. The district is the third largest in the county and is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Joshua ISD describes its model as offering small-school advantages alongside larger-district opportunities, and it has expanded its facilities as enrollment has grown. The district hosts district-wide academic events and programs and projects continued enrollment growth over the coming decade. Families moving to the area generally fall within Joshua ISD boundaries, though households near the city's edges should confirm attendance zones.

Getting Around

Joshua sits on Highway 174, a north–south corridor that connects the city to Burleson and the Fort Worth area to the north and to Cleburne, the Johnson County seat, about eight miles to the south. Downtown Fort Worth lies roughly 34 miles away, a drive of around 35 minutes in typical conditions, placing Joshua within commuting distance of the western metroplex. For rail commuters, nearby Cleburne is served by the Trinity Railway Express, which provides a direct connection into Fort Worth and links to the broader regional rail network. Interstate access is available through the surrounding highway system, making Joshua a practical base for those who work in the metro while living farther out.

Parks & Recreation

Outdoor recreation in Joshua centers on Joshua City Park, which offers a playground, open space for walks and picnics, and a splash pad that is popular in warmer months. The park's pond is periodically stocked for youth trout fishing events, giving local children an introduction to the outdoors without leaving town. Downtown Joshua anchors the community calendar with events such as Fall on Main, a seasonal festival featuring games, a chili cook-off, and entertainment. Beyond city limits, residents have quick access to the parks and recreational amenities of Cleburne and the larger outdoor and cultural offerings of the Fort Worth area, including its trail systems, lakes, and attractions.

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