Terrell is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, located along Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 80 about 25 miles east of downtown Dallas. Its population was 17,465 at the 2020 census, and the city functions as a gateway between the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and East Texas. Terrell began as a railroad depot town, incorporating in 1874, and quickly became Kaufman County's commercial center, a role its historic downtown still reflects today.
The city's history has a distinctive aviation chapter. During World War II, Terrell Municipal Airport hosted the No. 1 British Flying Training School, where more than 2,000 Royal Air Force and American Army Air Force pilots trained between 1941 and 1945. The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum preserves that legacy with log books, uniforms, and training materials, and the story has become a point of civic pride and a draw for visitors.
Downtown Terrell remains the community's heart, with preserved turn-of-the-century architecture, outdoor murals, and an ongoing revitalization that has added boutique shopping, restaurants, and loft-style apartments. The city's commercial pull extends beyond its borders through The Shops at Terrell, a large outlet center that attracts shoppers from across the region. These amenities sit alongside agricultural traditions represented by Ham Orchards, a long-running peach orchard and market popular with locals and travelers alike.
Terrell's growth has followed the eastward expansion of the Dallas metro along the I-20 corridor. The city offers a lower-density, more affordable alternative to inner-ring suburbs while keeping downtown Dallas within commuting distance. Its blend of historic character, regional retail, and highway access makes it attractive to families, commuters, and anyone seeking a small-city feel on the edge of a major metropolitan area.
