Telfair is a master-planned community of about 2,018 acres in Sugar Land, Texas, in Fort Bend County (ZIP code 77479). I live here myself and sell homes across Fort Bend County, so this guide covers what residents actually deal with: the amenities, the HOA, the schools, the taxes and what homes cost. Every figure below comes from a named source, and I point out where you should confirm details for the specific address you are considering.
Prefer to see it first? Here is a video tour of the neighborhood.
Where is Telfair and how did it get started?
Telfair's main entrance is on University Boulevard, south of Highway 6, and the community sits along US 59, which is also signed as Interstate 69. The land was once part of the Central State Prison Farm. According to Wikipedia's Telfair entry, the State of Texas sold the parcel to the developer, Newland Communities, in 2002, construction started in February 2005 and the first homes opened in 2006.
That history is still visible. The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land opened on October 3, 2009 in the former prison building known as Two Camp. The City of Sugar Land says the project was a partnership between the city, the museum and Telfair's developer.
What amenities does Telfair have?
According to the Telfair Community Association, residents have access to Telfair Central Hall, which is available for private rentals and community events, multiple neighborhood pools that open seasonally, a gym, and basketball, volleyball, tennis and pickleball courts, along with playgrounds and parks. Court keys are $25 and are sold at the association office at 121 Telfair Central Blvd.
The original community plans called for 417 acres of recreation land and a 70-acre lake. Local neighborhood guides describe the pool at Telfair Central as having slides, a splash pad and a zero-entry area, with a second pool and a playground at Jurgensen Recreation Center. Pools are seasonal, so check the association for current hours and rules.
How much are HOA dues in Telfair?
Dues are set by the Telfair Community Association, which is managed by Goodwin & Company. Assessments are payable annually and are due January 1, and homeowners can pay in three installments on December 1, January 1 and February 1. The association says the assessment covers operating expenses such as Central Hall maintenance, utilities, pools, landscaping, staffing, property taxes and insurance.
The exact amount depends on your lot type. One local neighborhood guide puts the range at roughly $811 to $2,000 a year, with patio homes at the high end because lawn maintenance is built in. Treat that as a starting point. The seller's HOA resale certificate lists the current assessment and transfer fees, so ask for the association's current figure for the home you are buying.
Which schools serve Telfair?
Telfair is in Fort Bend ISD. Based on the district's 2026 to 2027 attendance zone data, most of the neighborhood is zoned to Cornerstone Elementary, Sartartia Middle School and Clements High School. Zones can differ by address, and some older sources list different campuses, so confirm any specific home with the district's school locator before you write an offer.
Fort Bend ISD's board also approved secondary boundary changes on October 5, 2026 for the 2027 to 2028 school year. The district posts details at fortbendisd.gov/attendanceboundaries, so ask how those changes apply to the home you are considering.
What do homes in Telfair cost?
Telfair is one of the higher priced communities in Sugar Land. Realtor.com showed a median listing price of $750,000 for Telfair in October 2026, with 24 homes for sale, compared with $473,238 for Sugar Land as a whole. A separate analysis of Houston MLS closed sales from August 2025 through August 2026 put the median Telfair sale at $710,000. Because Telfair opened in 2006 and has been selling homes for years, most listings today are resale homes.
What is the property tax situation in Telfair?
Your bill comes from several taxing entities. For 2026, the rates per $100 of value are 0.371116 for the City of Sugar Land, 0.9969 for Fort Bend ISD, and 0.407 for Fort Bend County plus 0.01 for county drainage, according to the county's 2026 rate schedule. Together those add up to about 1.785.
On top of that, most Telfair addresses are also in one of the Telfair municipal utility districts (136 through 139) and may be in Fort Bend Levee Improvement District 17, whose 2026 rate is 0.38. Rates differ by address, so pull the actual tax statement for any home you are serious about.
Is Telfair a good fit for you?
Telfair tends to suit buyers who want an amenity-rich master-planned community and are comfortable with resale homes, annual HOA dues and layered special-district taxes. The tradeoffs to price in are the HOA assessment, the MUD and levee district taxes, and school zoning that you need to verify address by address. Browse my Telfair community page or current listings to see what is available now.
Frequently asked questions about living in Telfair
Is Telfair in Sugar Land?
Yes. Telfair is a planned community within the City of Sugar Land, in Fort Bend County, ZIP code 77479.
Who built Telfair and when?
Newland Communities developed Telfair. Construction began in February 2005 and the first homes opened in 2006.
What schools is Telfair zoned to?
Fort Bend ISD's 2026 to 2027 data shows most of Telfair zoned to Cornerstone Elementary, Sartartia Middle School and Clements High School. Confirm the exact zoning for any address with the district.
How much is the HOA in Telfair?
Dues are paid annually and vary by lot type. One local guide cites roughly $811 to $2,000 a year. Ask for the association's current figure when you are under contract.
Is there new construction in Telfair?
Telfair opened in 2006, so most homes for sale today are resales. Availability changes, so ask me to check for anything new.
Thinking about buying or selling in Telfair? Reach out anytime and I will walk you through the numbers for the street and home you have in mind.
Sources: Wikipedia (Telfair, Sugar Land, Texas); City of Sugar Land Economic Development (Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land); Telfair Community Association on TownSq; Fort Bend County 2026 Tax Rate and Exemption worksheet; Telfair MUDs and Fort Bend LID 17 websites; Fort Bend ISD school locator and attendance boundary page; Realtor.com Sugar Land market data (October 2026); HAR MLS closed sales analysis (August 2025 to August 2026) published by Zach Real Estate Group; Sheila Cox, Sugar Land neighborhood guide for Telfair.
Telfair Entrance Sign: RM VM / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and incorporated into cover design.