Melissa is a city in Collin County, Texas, located along U.S. Highway 75 in the northeastern part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, roughly 40 miles northeast of downtown Dallas and immediately north of McKinney. The city's origins trace to the Houston and Texas Central Railway, reflecting its beginnings as a small railroad town serving the surrounding farmland and agricultural community. For most of its history, Melissa remained a modest rural community. That changed in the early 21st century as residential growth spread north through Collin County: the city's population rose from about 1,350 in 2000 to roughly 4,700 in 2010 and nearly 14,000 by the 2020 census, making it one of the fastest-expanding municipalities in a county defined by rapid suburban development. The community is anchored by the Melissa Independent School District, whose campuses — including Melissa High School — serve the city and surrounding area and draw many families to the region. New single-family subdivisions now dominate the housing landscape, surrounding the older town core with master-planned neighborhoods oriented toward schools and parks. Melissa's appeal rests on its location along the U.S. 75 corridor. The highway connects the city directly to McKinney, Allen, Plano, and Dallas to the south, placing major employment, shopping, and entertainment within commuting range while the city itself retains a quieter, small-town pace. Nearby Lake Lavon and McKinney's parks and historic downtown supplement local recreation. For homebuyers, Melissa offers newer housing, a small district school system, and a position at the leading edge of North Texas suburban growth. The city's blend of railroad-era roots, school-centered community life, and contemporary subdivision development makes it a representative example of Collin County's northern expansion.