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Dallas, TX


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Dallas, Texas

Introduction to Dallas, Texas

Dallas is the ninth largest city in the United States with a population of approximately 1.2 million people. Dallas is at the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, which is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the country with a population of approximately 5.7 million people, according to U.S. census estimates. It is the third largest city in Texas, behind Houston and San Antonio. Dallas is also the number one visitor destination in Texas and a major convention city.

Dallas is located in northeast Texas, approximately an hour and a half south of the Texas/Oklahoma border. It is home to almost 10 Fortune 500 companies, including household names such as Halliburton, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. In fact, as of 2005, Dallas was ranked fifth on the list of cities with the most Fortune 500 headquarters.

Dallas is one of 11 U.S. global cities (world city or world-class city) and is ranked a "Gamma World City" by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network (cities get ranked as Alpha, Beta, or Gamma World Cities).

Dallas History

Native Americans inhabited the area that is now Dallas before it was claimed as part of the Province of New Spain by the Spanish in the 1500's. In 1821, Mexico declared independence from Spain and New Spain became part of Mexico. Texas became the independent country, The Republic of Texas, in 1836 after the Texas Revolution. Texas became a U.S. State in 1845.

The city of Dallas was founded by John Neely Bryan in 1841. At that time it was part of the Independent country, the Republic of Texas. There is some dispute as to how Dallas acquired its name, but it was referred to as Dallas as early as 1843.

Some key dates in Dallas' history include:

  • In 1856, Dallas was incorporated as a town
  • In 1861 Dallas voters voted 741 to 237 to secede from the Union
  • On June 19, 1865, Texas slaves were freed
  • In 1907, Neiman Marcus opened in downtown Dallas
  • In 1911, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas was established
  • In 1915, Southern Methodist University was founded in Dallas, the first major university in the city
  • On Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas

Dallas Arts and Culture

Dallas is a center for arts and culture. Dallas offers museums, the performing arts, and more. Some of Dallas' more notable museums include:

  • The Dallas Arboretum
  • The Dallas Children's Museum
  • The Frontiers of Flight Museum
  • The Dallas Museum of Art
  • The Dallas Museum of Natural History
  • The Dallas Zoo & Aquarium
  • The Science Place

For patrons of the performing arts, Dallas is home to many performing arts attractions. Some of the more notable include:

  • The Dallas Opera
  • The Dallas Symphony Orchestra
  • The Dallas Theater Center
  • The Majestic Theatre

The Dallas Fort Worth area plays host to numerous festivals every year, including the week-long International DFW Week which hosts more than 20 events, including the Dallas International Festival, the Irving International Health Fair, the International Guitar Festival, the Global Sacred Music Concert, and more.

Dallas Sports and Leisure

Dallas has plenty to offer to fill every sports fan's appetite. Dallas is home to the following major sports teams:

  • Baseball - The Major League Baseball (MLB) Texas Rangers make their home in nearby Arlington, Texas. For individuals who like Minor League Baseball action, the Frisco RoughRiders play a half an hour north of Dallas in Frisco, Texas. The RoughRiders are a Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
  • Basketball - The National Basketball Association (NBA) Dallas Mavericks .
  • Football - The National Football League (NFL) Dallas Cowboys who play in nearby Irving, Texas and the Arena Football League (AFL) Dallas Desperados.
  • Hockey - The National Hockey League (NHL) Dallas Stars and the National American Hockey League (NAHL) Texas Tornado.
  • Soccer - The Major League Soccer (MLS) FC Dallas.

Dallas is also home to the NCAA College Football Cotton Bowl.

As one might expect of a city with a humid sub-tropical climate, outdoor activities abound in Dallas. Dallas has an extraordinary number of amusement and water parks, ranches and rodeos, wildlife centers, and other outdoor activities that are fun for both adults and children.

Dallas "Must See" Attractions

Dallas has attractions too numerous to do justice in a simple list. Some of Dallas' more notable and unique attractions include:

  • The Cotton Bowl
  • The Dallas World Aquarium
  • The Dallas Zoo
  • The John F. Kennedy Memorial
  • The Mesquite Rodeo
  • The State Fair of Texas, the largest fair of its kind in the country
  • The Stockyards National Historic District in nearby Fort Worth
  • The Will Rogers Memorial Center in nearby Fort Worth

Dallas at Night

If interests turn more to the evening dining and nightclub scene, Dallas has plenty to offer. Good destinations for fine dining and nightclubs include: Deep Ellum - named after Elm Street (pronounced with a southern drawl), Greenville Avenue, Knox-Henderson, the West Village, and the West End. Good sources of information about events and happenings include the "Entertainment" section of the Dallas Morning News or the "Arts & Entertainment" section of the Dallas Observer. D magazine is also a good source for information on dining and events.

High Points

Dallas strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Texas):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 1%trophyDallas Public Transportation Use
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)
Top 2%trophyDallas Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)
Top 11%Dallas Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 13%Dallas Well-Paid Single Women
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)
Top 15%Dallas College Educated Adults

Comparative Profile of Dallas, TX

Comparing Dallas to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Texas (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Racial Diversity1010
Male Share of the Population99
Children Under 5 Years Old98
Well-Paid Single Men89
Well-Paid Single Women69
Senior Citizens32
Age of the Population22
Female Share of the Population22

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size74
Portion of People Married41

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
College Educated Adults79
People Above Poverty44
Median Family Income36
People in Middle Class or Better35

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use810
Working at Home78
Short Commute Times34
Walking and Biking to Work28

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals1010
People Living Alone810
Housing Recently Built65
Affordability of Rents52
Affordability of Property Taxes43
Seasonal and Vacation Housing43

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime21
Low Violent Crime21

Detailed pages on related topics: Dallas collegesDallas travelDallas mortgage and property.

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