City Town Info

Mesquite, TX


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Mesquite, Texas

Introduction to Mesquite, Texas

Mesquite is a city in north central Texas located only 12 miles east of Dallas. Situated on U.S. Route 80 near the junction of Interstate Highways I-30 and I-635, Mesquite is bordered by the cities of Garland (to the north) and Balch Springs (to the south). Home of the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, the city is generally known as the "Rodeo Capital of Texas".

First established by the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1873, Mesquite was named after nearby Mesquite Creek. Incorporated in 1887, the city grew very slowly with cotton as one of its primary industries. Between 1950 and 1970, the city's population exploded, growing from less than 2,000 to upwards of 50,000 residents. This surge was largely attributable to the growth of neighboring Dallas. In the 1980s, the Mesquite Historical Commission was formed as part of an initiative to help preserve the city's culture and heritage. The commission, now known as Historic Mesquite, Inc., is still active and working on several projects, including plans for a historical park.

Mesquite Attractions

Mesquite's premiere attraction is the Mesquite Championship Rodeo. Started in 1958, the now nationally-televised event captures and showcases the full Texas cowboy experience. The Mesquite Arts Center, home to more than 16 arts groups, hosts the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, the Mesquite Community Theater, and the Mesquite Community Band. The facility also includes a large art gallery with changing exhibits. Rodeo City Music Hall features "good time" entertainment designed to please the whole family. Devil’s Bowl Speedway hosts all types of vehicles engaged in action-packed competitions between March and November. Historic sites in Mesquite include the Florence Ranch Homestead, a step back in time to the late 1800s; and the Texas Queen, a double deck paddle wheeler which offers the perfect setting for many special events. Nearby Dallas/Fort Worth is home to many popular attractions located only minutes from Mesquite. These include the following:

  • Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
  • Dallas Zoo
  • Dallas Museum of Art
  • Dallas World Aquarium and Rainforest
  • Fair Park
  • Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
  • Six Flags Over Texas
  • The Sixth Floor Museum
  • West End Marketplace

Major league baseball action abounds in nearby Arlington, home to Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers. Nearby Irving is home to the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. The National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks, the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars, and FC Dallas of Major League Soccer are some other prominent teams playing in the area.

High Points

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

CategoryTrophy
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 11%Mesquite Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)
Top 15%Mesquite Well-Paid Single Men
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 16%Mesquite Public Transportation Use
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)
Top 17%Mesquite Racial Diversity
Median Family Income
(vs. State)
Top 19%Mesquite Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)
Top 19%Mesquite People in Middle Class or Better

Comparative Profile of Mesquite, TX

Comparing Mesquite 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 Diversity98
Children Under 5 Years Old87
Female Share of the Population76
Well-Paid Single Women69
Well-Paid Single Men59
Male Share of the Population55
Age of the Population33
Senior Citizens22

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size87
Portion of People Married76

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People Above Poverty79
People in Middle Class or Better79
Median Family Income69
College Educated Adults48

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Working at Home56
Public Transportation Use39
Short Commute Times33
Walking and Biking to Work27

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built98
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals69
Affordability of Property Taxes63
Affordability of Rents52
People Living Alone34
Seasonal and Vacation Housing32

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime54
Low Property Crime43

Detailed pages on related topics: Mesquite collegesMesquite travelMesquite mortgages and property.

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Additional Details

Mesquite CollegesMesquite Colleges
Mesquite colleges and trade schools.
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Mesquite hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Mesquite MortgageMesquite Mortgage
Mesquite property, mortgage, and real estate.

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