McKinney is the county seat of Collin County and one of the anchors of Dallas-Fort Worth's northern suburbs, located roughly 30 miles north of downtown Dallas along the U.S. 75 corridor. Founded in 1848 and named for Texas Declaration of Independence signer Collin McKinney, the city spent much of its history as a quiet agricultural and county-seat town before decades of suburban growth transformed it into one of the largest cities in the region. McKinney's identity rests on the contrast between its historic core and its newer communities. Downtown McKinney, centered on a classic courthouse square, is one of the oldest and largest historic districts in Texas, with preserved commercial buildings, brick streets and a thriving local business scene. Surrounding that core, master-planned communities such as Stonebridge Ranch, Craig Ranch and Eldorado Heights spread across the city, offering lakes, golf courses, trails and amenity-rich living. The economy is tied to the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with many residents commuting south toward Plano, Richardson and Dallas for technology, corporate and professional jobs. Health care, education and retail also provide local employment, and the city's corporate and industrial parks continue to grow. Collin County's overall strength — top-rated schools, new housing and job growth — underpins McKinney's appeal. For homebuyers, McKinney offers new-construction housing, family-oriented master-planned communities and a walkable historic downtown at a somewhat greater distance from central Dallas than inner-ring suburbs. It suits families and professionals who want space, highly regarded schools and a strong community identity, accepting a longer U.S. 75 commute as the trade-off.